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Independent Cinema Office

Our mission is to develop an open, challenging and thriving film sector. We are the UK’s national body in support of independent cinemas, film festivals and exhibitors of all forms. We want everyone to have access to cinema that nourishes the soul and changes lives.

Read more about us

What's new

Cultural Cinema Exhibition 2025

12-17 January 2025, London

The twelfth edition of our flagship film programming training course, Cultural Cinema Exhibition, will take place this January. Apply by 15 November.

Autumn Screening Days 2024

Broadway Cinema, Nottingham and online, 15-24 November

Do you work with film audiences? Do you want to watch the best upcoming indie and world cinema films? Screening Days is an in-person and online event where we screen the key new titles in distribution so you can plan how to get audiences for them.
A light pink promotional graphic.

Accessibility Across the Board - BFI FAN Short Course

12 & 14 November 2024 & 11 February 2025

A new short course focused on practical steps to create organisational change so that exhibitors can develop a more accessible and inclusive culture and environment for disabled audiences and staff.  Apply by 5 November.

International Film Festival Network

Join our community of international film festivals

The International Film Festival Network (IFFN) is our membership-based community of film festivals. Find out more and become a member today.

Other services

Consultancy

Whether you’re starting a cinema or redeveloping one, we have decades of experience creating amazing venues and are here to help.
Image of a cinema entry way at night with lights, a lit up sign above the door and illuminated film posters.

Programming services

Film programming is at the heart of what the ICO offers. Our goal is to provide your cinema with a distinctive programme of films that offers the best of world cinema, while ensuring that audiences grow and your site thrives financially.

Guides and Information

See all

Guide

What licences do I need?

Want to screen a film outside the cinema, but unsure what licences you need? Read our essential guide to non-theatrical exhibition.

Guide

How to start a cinema

How to start a cinema is a guide for anyone who is interested in starting a cinema or showing films in their village, town or city in the UK.

Guide

An Introductory Guide to Programming

Programming is about starting a conversation with your audience.

Guide

Fundraising for Independent Cinemas

Want to make your organisation sustainable and achieve ambitious goals? Read our downloadable guide.

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