Deciding to watch something on a screen in the 21st century can be hard work.

First, you have to negotiate an alphabet soup of abbreviations before making your choice. Do you want it HD? 3D? HDTV?

Second, what cables do you need? HDMI? DVI? USB? OMG you might think, or Oh My God for non-textspeak speakers..or should that be writers?

Visit one of London’s many independent cinemas and forget all that. You simply come in, sit down and watch the film. Like most cinemas.

So what makes independent cinemas different?

Independent cinemas are free to set their own listings, so while you can view the latest Hollywood blockbuster, you can also see the latest in cutting-edge alternative film from around the world.

Independent cinemas can take risks, showing underground films created by unknown directors, starring unknown actors, who may or may not prove to be the next “big thing.”

Independent cinemas can be interactive. It’s common for film-directors to come and answer questions from an audience who have just viewed their latest offering.

That’s just some of the positives we can think of. Why not visit one and find out some more for yourself? Ones such as:

The Screen on the Green. This cosy cinema is opposite Islington Green, 5 minutes walk from Angel tube. Settle into a comfy sofa, get your drinks from the bar..and enjoy! Five minutes walk from The Islington Company offices, ideal for us letting agents and anyone renting in North East London.

The Rio Cinema. Down Kingsland Road, Hackney you’ll find the Rio, a community cinema with an emphasis on local. Local groups can use the cinema, local people sit on the Board, and membership includes discounts and information on local arts events. There is a parents and babies club, exclusively for parents of children under 1 year.

The Aubin cinema. This elegant independent is in Shoreditch, offering “velvet sofas and chairs, plumped up with Aubin and Wills cushions.” The bar serves cocktails so try not to drink too many before you watch the Aubin’s selection of “quality mainstream and art house films.”

Then there are the pop-up cinemas, such as the recent one which popped up in a derelict petrol-station in Clerkenwell. Hopefully the no-smoking law was observed or the petrol pumps were empty at the time(!) These regularly appear in the areas served by The Islington Company, so best keep your eyes, ears and Google-ready fingers ready to find them.