Inside the ‘smallest cinema in the world’ and the amazing story behind it which all happened in Wales
Housed in a caravan with just eight seats the Sol Cinema from Swansea is thought to be the smallest in the world.
Projectionist and co-founder Paul O’Connor says in a world of “plastic atmosphere” multiplexes this 1972 converted camper offers a window into a glorious past. Where else in Britain would you still see dancing usherettes serving popcorn and cramming you into your seats along a red carpet?

Paul and his team celebrated the Sol’s 10th anniversary this year – delayed by 12 months due to Covid – in fine style, picked out by Madness to show off their short documentaries at a gig in the summer.....

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Sol Cinema features in The Week Junior as one of 'three unusual cinemas'

Sol Cinema features in Valor Economico newspaper (Brazilian equivalent to the FT) about coping under the pandemic.

Sol Cinema was reported by the Mirror newspaper

We wanted to find a way to present short films which went beyond YouTube."We wanted to give an enjoyable experience to honour all the hard work and dedication which video makers put into creating their short videos.
"The Sol Cinema took a full year to build after one year of head-scratching and working our way through many designs.

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The vintage mobile cinema based in Swansea, complete with popcorn and usherettes has been hired to celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of Wales’ best digital media company. Sol Cinema requested to be paid in Cryptocurrency rather than in regular Sterling. Luckily the director of Tantrwm productions was willing, and now both companies are excited by the possibilities of this new form of currency.

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Belfast newspaper shows off the Sol Cinema
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Sol Cinema is featured in the worst newspaper of all- the daily mail.
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Sol Cinema is featured in The Mirror newspaper for the premiere of MADNESS film.
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In April 2021 Sol Cinema went to London.
As we prepared the Sol Cinema, ARRI cameras were unloaded and 650W lighting rigs were set up all around us. A 15 metre, bright red carpet was unrolled, and gold roped stands were sited in front of the doors of the Odeon, itself draped in plush red velvet. Masked up film crews busied themselves setting up a black tent around the Sol Cinema so they could film interviews with the band inside through our open window.

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