It's lights, camera, action for Penarth's premiere film venue Snowcat Cinema.

After 522 days of not welcoming patrons inside to watch art house, cult and classic movies, finally the doors are opening.

For Ben Rive, who runs Snowcat, it's an exciting moment.

"I've had a lot of messages during lockdown, even during the first lockdown, saying 'do you know when you're going to be able to open again?'" Ben told Nub News.

"It's not been easy. The time has flown by, but it also feels like forever since we were last open.

"I was getting to the point where it felt like, 'will we ever be able to open the doors?'

"We just couldn't, with the seating and putting volunteers and the audience at risk.

"The universal response from people was that they'll be there when we're ready to open. So, it's been a really supportive audience."

While the majority of Welsh cinemas reopened in May, Ben made the cautious decision to wait until the country moved to Alert Level Zero.

"We just couldn't do it, it was impossible to get enough people in to make it worth opening the doors," explained Ben.

"Basically, I couldn't open until the two-metre rule went, and I also had to wait until the specific rules came out before I could even work out whether it was worth it.

"So now, when people book, we block out the seats either side and in front and behind. Many of the big cinemas aren't blocking out rows anymore, they're just leaving spaces next to the seats.

"We're selling out, but not like before because capacity has reduced from 68 to 29 audience members.

"I'm going to review the rules as we go along and ask people for feedback on how comfortable they feel."

During lockdown, Ben has organised 'watch-alongs', online quizzes and compiled almost 500 Freeview recommendations to maintain Snowcat's momentum.

He had big plans for 2020, from increasing the number of screenings to building a second screen, which have since been scuppered.

Instead, his goal changed from expanding to retaining Snowcat's audience.

But what has reassured Ben is Penarth's reaction to Snowcat's return.

"I sold tickets on Friday last week before I didn't put the messages out on social media that there were tickets available, so people are obviously refreshing the website," he said.

"It's really difficult to know what's going to be successful after so long away.

"Before lockdown I had a pretty good idea of what would do well and what wouldn't. I just think that might be shaken up a little bit now."

Significant changes have also occurred to Snowcat's venue - the Pier Pavilion fell back into the hands of its owner, the Vale Council, when Penarth Arts and Craft Ltd surrendered its 125-year lease.

The Council has since begun refurbishing the art deco building. Ben had nothing but praise for the support he has been given.

"It's really good that they've taken it over, as far as I'm concerned," he told Nub News.

"It's nice having new people in there and they've got a lot of vision.

"There's a lot of excitement about what the building could be used for. I'm really lucky that they've asked me to carry on doing what I'm doing, but it's totally been a partnership.

"They've been fantastic in the last month to try to get that set up, so it's really exciting to be honest.

"Everyone has been very sad that Snowcat has been out of action. It was great down there before, so now we can make it even better. It's a very special place."

To view what's on at Snowcat Cinema and book your tickets, click here.