In what feels like it's been a long time coming, today all eight Harry Potter films have finally been added onto UK Netflix.
While plenty of Harry Potter fans are probably still the proud owners of VHS and DVD boxset collections, all eight Harry Potter movies have never been available to stream on Netflix before until today.
And not only that, but it also marks the first time the films will be carried as a full collection on any streaming platform in the UK.
Prior to today, the only way fans could watch all eight films in one go was by buying or renting them.
Image: Warner Bros.
Harry Potter is arguably one of the best-loved franchises of all time.
The brainchild of now-controversial author JK Rowling, seven Harry Potter books were published between 1997 and 2007, selling more than 500 million copies worldwide, and eight film adaptations of the books were released between 2001 and 2011.
Not only were the films an undoubted smash-hit with critics, it is also the fourth highest-grossing film series of all time – with $7.7 billion in worldwide receipts.
The success of the film franchise made household names out of the films’ young cast of actors led by Daniel Radcliffe as the titular character, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley.
The franchise also has one of the most dedicated fanbases there is, and defined life for many growing up in the late nineties and throughout the 2000s.
Potterheads have been taking to social media to share their excitement at Netflix’s newest additions.
ALL HARRY POTTER FILMS ARE ON NETFLIX NOW omds i’m gonna cry cause i was litch complaining today how i wanted to watch them but our sky recordings had deleted them😭😭😭so happy
The news that all Harry Potter films have been added to Netflix UK & Ireland today comes after it was announced back in April after much speculation that a Harry Potter TV series is officially in the works, and JK Rowling is set to serve as the series’ executive producer.
The new series is set to air on streaming platform HBO Max, but details are limited and no release dates have been revealed as of yet.
JK Rowling says she is “looking forward” to the new TV series, adding that the “new adaptation will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series”.
Nestled in Armley, Assembly House is an independent creative hub bringing artists together.
Assembly House, based on Canal Road in Armley inside a historic Victorian mill, has become a home for creatives across Leeds since launching in 2013.
The artist-led organisation combines working studios with an independent gallery and project space, hosting everything from exhibitions and workshops to community events and live music.
The space is currently home to 80 creatives who make up their community, comprising of professional practitioners including educators, performers, painters, sculptors, illustrators, video artists and designers.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their aim is simple - to offer affordable studios to emerging artists alongside technical support, producing support along with access to workshops, internal film screenings and events.
Assembly House offer a yearly program of exhibitions designed to showcase the studio holders and get their work out there. It's all aimed at helping the artists, whether it's their first show or tenth.
It has also helped bring art into the wider neighbourhood through community murals, public sculptures and activities for local people.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They believe art has the power to bring people together and to evoke emotion and thought, and we've got to say that we absolutely agree.
The space can also be hired by students and independent creatives looking to put on their own exhibitions or bring a project to life.
The fabulous venue is generally open to visitors during exhibitions, workshops and events, with visits by appointment at other times, so it's worth checking its website before heading over.
To have a look at their current programme and to find out more about what Assembly House are doing for Leeds and the community, you can take a look at their website here.
Leeds Palestinian Film Festival announces dates for 12th annual edition
Clementine Hall
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival has announced the dates for this year's festival.
This year's festival will explore the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour: "To make art is to say we are here."
These words will reflect the content of this year's festival, which aim to keep Palestinian stories alive; defy the erasure of history; and bring voices from the depths of destruction.
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival will open Friday 13 November at the iconic Hyde Park Picture House with Life Support, a documentary about doctors in Gaza directed by Daniele Rugo.
Image: Supplied
The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with the director and doctors from the film, chaired by Healthworkers4Palestine.
Early programme highlights include the UK premiere of Conversation with the Sea, Muayad Alayan's family drama in which a 60-year-old Palestinian man in Jerusalem, ordered by an Israeli court to pay a debt allegedly owed by his son who drowned decades ago, sets out to discover what happened.
Also showing will be Maggie Lemere's documentary, Land of Canaan, follows Palestinian farmers and their olive trees, some more than 1,000 years old, and the fair-trade movement led by Dr Nasser Abufarha to protect them.
Image: Supplied
Frances Bernstein, Festival Director, said: “To make art is to say we are here. We chose the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour as this year's theme because they reflect what the programme is for: keeping Palestinian stories alive, defying the erasure of Palestinian history, culture and identity, and bringing voices from the depth of destruction to audiences in Leeds."
The full programme, guests and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks. You can find out more here.
The Hoot -
17th May 2023 
