“Excellent, accessible, expertly informative” – 2007 trainee
This course has been developed especially for independent cinemas, film festivals, arts centres, film societies, screen agencies and arts development officers from all over the UK who are interested in creating a strong programme of cultural and archive film screenings.
The public appetite for screen heritage has been demonstrated in recent years by annual UK admissions of 750,000 for archive screenings; the huge success of the BBC/BFI series ‘The Lost World of Mitchell and Kenyon’, which attracted over 4.5 million television viewers each week; and the enthusiastic response of new audiences to ‘Bombs at Teatime’ and other BFI Mediatheque on Tour programmes.
With the advent of the UK Screen Heritage strategy, there is no better time to develop archive film exhibition projects.
The course will cover:
Session 1:
Option A) Introduction to Programming Specialised Film
David Sin, Director (maternity cover), Independent Cinema Office
What journey does a film go on from production to screening? What are the issues facing the business of specialised film distribution and exhibition in the UK? What key skills does a programmer need to create a strong programme of cultural film?
This session is suitable for people new to the sector or those looking to understand the basics of programming.
Option B) Innovative Programming Models: A Panel Discussion
Speakers will include Fabien Riggall, Founder and Director, Secret Cinema, Sarah Perks, Engagement Director, Cornerhouse and Christo Wallers, Star and Shadow Cinema.
A unique opportunity to discuss new and unusual approaches to film programming with the organisations that are pushing the boundaries, including Secret Cinema’s mystery events model, Cornerhouse’s “open source” programming and Star and Shadow’s co-operative system.
This session is suitable for all.
Session 2:
Fostering Relationships with Distributors
Matthew Smith, Head of Sales, Lions Gate and Kate Gerova, Head of Distribution, Soda Pictures.
A candid discussion with guest distributors about the process of acquiring and releasing a film, the pressures they face, and tips for developing a good working relationship and getting the right films for your venue, festival or film society.
Session 3:
Programming Screen Heritage
Speakers will include Jane Alvey, East Anglian Film Archive; Patrick Russell, Senior Curator (Non-Fiction), BFI National Archive; Sue Porter, Film Development Officer and Coordinator of Cinema Rural Touring in East Midlands; and Anna Kime, Marketing and Development Coordinator, ICO.
Find out everything you need to know about screening archive film from cinema programmers and curators of national and regional archives. What collections are held in which archives and how do you access them? What “ready made” programmes of archive film are available for booking? What are the creative, practical, technical and legal issues to consider when screening archive film?
Participants will have the option to take a tour of the East Anglian Film Archive. The day will also include opportunities for peer discussion and networking with exhibitors from all over the UK. An online forum will facilitate further discussion, ideas-sharing and the initiation of partnerships in the months following the course.
Cost:
Early bird rate of £90 + VAT (£105.75) if booked by 31st October, otherwise £100 + VAT (£117.50). The price includes lunch, refreshments and networking drinks. Bursaries are available towards fees, travel, accommodation and/or access costs from many of the Regional Screen Agencies and from the ICO.
This project is funded by the Skillset Film Skills Fund, which is supported by the National Lottery through the UK Film Council and the film industry through the Skills Investment Fund.
This course is supported by Screen East through the Regional Investment Fund for England.