We all want to see big audiences for a wider range of cinema – British independents, foreign language films, documentaries, archive films, artists’ cinema, and more – but the fact is that growing audiences for these kinds of films is a long-term project and doesn’t happen overnight.
That’s where Film Hub South East’s Programming Group comes in, to give you expert help and support in developing your audience for a broader range of films than you currently show.
The Programming Group is for cinemas that want to develop more specialised programming and can make a commitment to showing at least one specialised title each month. We especially want to work with cinemas where there is low provision of cultural cinema locally.
What is the Programming Group?
The Programming Group is a network of cinemas from the South East who meet regularly to share their knowledge and learning on programming specialised film titles.
The group is organised by Film Hub South East, who provide up-to-date industry intelligence on key forthcoming film titles, access to preview screenings and guest speakers, and marketing assets.
How does it work?
- The Programming Group meet every few months (about four to five times a year). Most meetings are held virtually, with some in-venue.
- At each meeting the ICO/Film Hub South East programming team present a list of key films being released over the following months, with information on the scale of the release, distributor spend, promotional campaign and target audience.
- Each list of films includes a range of titles to accommodate members’ different programming needs.
- At most meetings, members have the opportunity to preview a film from the list and hear from guest speakers on topics like distribution, marketing and audience development.
- A section of each meeting is dedicated to members to share their successes and challenges around programming and growing audiences.
- Following the meeting, we will send copy, images and promotional assets for films on the list for use in members’ marketing.
- Subsidy for programming films from the list, and for audience development activity, can be accessed via application to the Film Exhibition Fund.
- Applications to the Fund can be discussed with Film Hub South East at meetings.
What are the benefits?
- Access to advice and insights to help develop audiences for specialised films.
- Marketing materials to help you grow audiences for these films.
- Meetings featuring industry experts, screenings and opportunities to share knowledge.
- Tailored programming guidance based on your current programming.
- One pass for ICO Screening Days (spring/autumn events) each year.
- Access to a monthly programming email from Film Hub South East; with suggestions for upcoming titles, their audience profiles, and comparison titles.
Who is the Programming Group for?
We want to make the maximum impact on increasing audiences for cultural cinema and develop a valuable network of members who share and face similar experiences. With that in mind, the Programming Group is for:
- Cinemas who are DCI-compliant (i.e. screen films from DCP rather than disc). This is because the processes for programming DCP and disc are very different.
- Cinemas who currently programme few specialised films, or none whatsoever.
- Cinemas willing to demonstrate commitment to attending meetings with a regular staff contact.
- Organisations that are one of the following: a not-for profit cinema; a cinema in a mixed arts venue; a privately-owned independent cinema; a privately-owned cinema within a small (fewer than six sites) cinema chain.
- Members of Film Hub South East. Read more about becoming a member.
How do I join?
Email us at: filmhubse@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk.
If you have any questions about the Programming Group, see our FAQ below or contact us at filmhubse@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk or on 0207 636 7120.
“Being part of the network of other similar independent cinemas and mixed arts venues who programme film has been really great as we’ve all been able to share what has or hasn’t worked in terms of programming choices, marketing and audience development”
“The Programming Group meetings have been invaluable in terms of gaining insight into upcoming releases to inform our programming choices. Having access to the ICO/FHSE programming team to give background context to films on the menu has really helped us consider more carefully which films in particular would work for our audience”
Programming Group members
FAQ
What is the BFI Film Audience Network?
The BFI Film Audience Network (or FAN) was originally set up in 2012, using funds from the National Lottery, to support a stronger and more connected approach to growing audiences for British and international film on the big screen. It divided film exhibition activity in the UK into regions, each led by a regional Film Hub.
From 2017, FAN is part of the BFI’s five-year plan BFI2022 and central to BFI2022’s commitment to give everyone, everywhere in the UK the opportunity to enjoy and learn from the richest and most diverse range of great British and international filmmaking, past, present and future.
The priorities for FAN under BFI2022 are to:
- Increase access to a wide range of independent British and international film for audiences – especially those outside London;
- Extend engagement with BFI supported activities across the UK and enhance the quality and cultural depth of audience experience;
- Increase access to the UK’s screen heritage especially via the BFI’s National Film and TV Archive and those of the regions and nations;
- Enhance the quality of audience-facing activity, deepen knowledge and build capability in its membership, and;
- To do this with a particular emphasis on increasing the diversity of audiences and boosting the number of 16-30 year old’s engaging with film activity.
What is Film Hub South East?
Film Hub South East is the Hub region for the South East of England. Geographically it has grown from the previous iteration of FAN and now covers the following local authority areas: Bedfordshire, Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Luton, Medway, Milton Keynes, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Peterborough, Reading, Slough, Southend-on-Sea, Suffolk, Surrey, Thurrock, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham.
Film Hub South East is managed by the Independent Cinema Office (ICO), the UK’s national agency for the development and support of independent film exhibition.
What does Film Hub South East do?
Film Hub South East works on behalf of the BFI and in partnership with its members to deliver specific outcomes in the region around the priorities listed above.
Which organisations are eligible to apply for the Programming Group?
- Cinemas who are DCI-compliant (i.e. screen films from DCP rather than disc). This is because the processes for programming DCP and disc are very different.
- Cinemas who currently programme few specialised films, or none whatsoever.
- Cinemas willing to demonstrate commitment to attending meetings with a regular staff contact.
- Organisations that are one of the following: a not-for profit cinema; a cinema in a mixed arts venue; a privately-owned independent cinema; a privately-owned cinema within a small (fewer than six sites) cinema chain.
- Members of Film Hub South East. Read more about becoming a member.
What are the aims of the Programming Group?
The aim of the Programming Group is to increase opportunities for audiences across the South East region to see independent British and International film at their local cinema.
We all want to see big audiences for a wider range of cinema – British independents, foreign language films, documentaries, archive films, artists’ cinema, and more – but the fact is that growing audiences for these kinds of films is a long-term project, not something that happens overnight.
That’s where Film Hub South East’s Programming Group comes in, to give you expert help and support in developing your region’s audience for a broader range of films than you currently show.
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
Email us at filmhubse@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk or call 0207 636 7120.