The Castle Hackney presents Black History Month 2026: Rye Lane Catch one of the most vibrant, critically acclaimed British rom-coms of the decade right where it belongs—on the big screen! After a chance meet-cute in an art gallery bathroom, two twenty-somethings reeling from messy breakups spend an unforgettable day wandering through South London. As accountant Dom and aspiring costume designer Yas help each other confront their nightmare exes, reclaim stolen vinyl records, and navigate the chaos of modern dating, their initial friendship quickly sparks into something deeper. Directed by Raine Allen-Miller in her sensational feature debut, Rye Lane completely revitalized the classic British romantic comedy. An ultra-saturated, at times surreal, comedy with a soundtrack rooted in South London, the film effortlessly replaces tired genre tropes with a joyfu and authentic story centered on contemporary London life. Powered by electric chemistry between stars David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah (who earned a BAFTA nomination for her role), it stands as a modern classic of Black British cinema.

Celebrate 30 years of a landmark classic on the big screen this Black History Month! Cheryl, a witty video store clerk and aspiring filmmaker in 1990s Philadelphia, becomes obsessed with an uncredited 1930s Black actress known only as "The Watermelon Woman." As Cheryl sets out to uncover the actress’s real identity and hidden life, her personal investigation turns into a funny, sharp, and deeply personal journey of self-discovery. Written, directed by, and starring Cheryl Dunye, The Watermelon Woman made cinema history as the very first feature film directed by an Black lesbian (openly). Filmed using documentary-style realism, alongside clever satire, the film boldly tackled the erasure of Black queer women in Hollywood history whilst also managing to capture vibrant 90s LGBTQ+ culture. Winner of the prestigious Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, it remains a hilariously fresh & thought-provoking cornerstone of both Queer Cinema and Black film history.

Another chance to see the Ryan Coogler masterpiece on the big screen... and on Halloween weekend! Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their Mississippi hometown in the 1930s to open a juke joint and start again. But as night falls, they discover that an even greater evil—a sinister supernatural presence—is waiting to welcome them back. Written and directed by visionary filmmaker Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed) and starring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role, Sinners made history as one of the most acclaimed horror films of the decade. A stunning blend of Southern Gothic horror and rich period drama, the film fuses vampire lore with the deeply rooted origins of the Mississippi Delta blues. Beyond the scares, Sinners stands as a powerful celebration of Black culture and music under the oppressive shadow of the Jim Crow South—making it an iconic, history-making masterpiece to experience this Black History Month. Halloween dress-up is highly encouraged!