Welcome back to your monthly update from the Independent Cinema Office, where you can find the latest opportunities for your cinema, festival or film society, plus industry highlights from across the UK.
ICO News
- Revisiting Your Cinema Business Model, the essential business course for cinema leaders returns this year. Through a structured learning programme and six-month mentorship, this course will empower participants to develop sustainable business models and enable organisations to thrive in the long term. It is open to all BFI FAN members; apply before 7 March.
- Find out more at the Revisiting Your Cinema Business Model course information session. This session will provide further details and answer any questions you may have about applying to the course. It will take place online on Thursday, 13 February, at 2 p.m., and sign-ups are open now.
- There’s still just about time to take advantage of the ICO’s New Year sale on its online training courses. Whether you’re looking to hone your skills in marketing, programming, festivals, environmental sustainability or getting the most out of your data – you can save 25% on all online courses if you enrol before midnight on Friday, 31 January.
- Spring Screening Days 2025 returns in March at the BFI Southbank, London. In-person passes are almost sold out, but you can also preview the programme of key upcoming titles from anywhere in the UK & Ireland with an online pass!
- Explore the fundamentals of building a film programme with Film Programming Essentials, a new short course exclusively for those working or volunteering in BFI FAN member organisations. With expert support and guidance, this is an ideal course for anyone ready to take their next steps towards a career in programming. Spaces are limited; register now to secure your spot.
Resources and Opportunities
- It’s your last chance to apply for Edinburgh’s Filmhouse Board of Trustees. The Board will work alongside the senior leadership team in the ongoing work to relaunch and operate Filmhouse. Applications close on 31 January.
- The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme, a series of films exploring justice, justification, and judgement in Japanese cinema, will be available to watch at cinemas across the UK from 7 February. The full programme and venue list are available on the Japan Foundation’s website.
- The British Council is offering representatives from UK arts festivals up to £3,000 in travel grants to visit festivals in mainland China, providing opportunities for international engagement and collaboration.
- Please consider signing this petition to save the Prince Charles Cinema following changes in their lease.
- Learn about Environmental Sustainability at Cultural Venues in a one-day online conference hosted by the Association for Cultural Enterprises.
- Transform your approach to fundraising by enrolling in a course from the National Arts Fundraising School, available both online and in-person.
- The Royal Countryside Fund has launched a new, UK-wide grant scheme offering up to £25,000 for community-led initiatives bringing positive change to rural areas. The deadline for Expressions of Interest is 21 February.
- The Salters’ Charitable Foundation is seeking Expressions of Interest for funding, particularly from projects that align with its four major themes: London Citizenship & Community Development, education, supporting the elderly, and supporting underserved and vulnerable communities.
- The Film and TV Charity is seeking people to share their experiences working in the cinema industry as part of their ongoing research into loneliness behind the scenes in film and TV.
- The Discovery Film Festival has launched its popular short film packages, showcasing the very best short films from around the world for audiences aged 3+ and 8+. Find out more via the Dundee Contemporary Arts website and bring a curated selection of short films to your venue today.
Good Reads
- Read our reflections from the most recent edition of Cultural Cinema Exhibition, the ICO’s flagship training course.
- From historical dramas to international thrillers, these are the Welsh Films to Watch in 2025
- UK and Ireland 2024 audience admissions increased by 2.3% compared to the previous year.
- BFI heads Ben Roberts and Jay Hunt confirm UK in talks with Government to rejoin Creative Europe
- Get more from your audience data with these tips from Indigo.
- Hear from the team behind the release of new documentary ‘Eno’, who share their insights on direct distribution.
- Read Laura Dern’s tribute to the late, great David Lynch – “You wove LA into our dreams”
- Read Sam Bodrojan on Mike Leigh’s Humanist Gestures
Header image: Still from Four Mothers (dir. Darren Thornton), featured in ICO Spring Screening Days 2025. Courtesy of BFI