THE cinema initiative Escapes is set to bring a new Nicolas Cage film to Wellington’s Wellesley for free at the end of this month.

The nationwide initiative supported by the BFI is promoting the highly anticipated new film, The Surfer, with free screenings across 100 cinemas around the country.

Starring Nicolas Cage, The Surfer will be screened at the Wellington Wellesley Cinema and Tiverton’s Tivoli Cinema on Monday, April 28, at 8pm before the film’s official UK release on Friday, May 9.

Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, this new film tells the gripping story of a man who returns to the sun-drenched beach of his childhood, hoping to share the joy of surfing with his son. However, his visit takes a dark turn when he is confronted and humiliated by a group of powerful locals.

As tensions rise with the searing heat of the summer, he is drawn into an escalating conflict that will push him to the very edge. Featuring an intense lead performance by Nicolas Cage, alongside Julian McMahon as the formidable antagonist, The Surfer is a psychological thriller packed with sun, surf, and suspense.

Escapes is shining a spotlight on the charm and uniqueness of independent cinema and has provided more than 110,000 free cinema tickets across the UK since it launched in February 2024. With past successful screenings including heartwarming ‘dramedy’ The Penguin Lessons with Steve Coogan, family friendly favourite The Sloth Lane, and inspiring biopic Mr. Burton, Escapes continues to spotlight the power of independent storytelling.

From Nottingham's Savoy Cinema, the only pre-Second World War cinema still standing in the city, to Whitley Bay's Jam Jar, Glasgow's Omniplex, and many more, Escapes will be screening The Surfer at over 100 cinemas nationwide on both Monday, April 28 and Tuesday, April 29.

Tickets for The Surfer are free and available now at: https://escapes.cinematik.app/