Now a consultant in broadcast, digital and marketing and a youth specialist, Rebecca Frank was Head of Production for Radio 1, 1Xtra and Asian Network in her last role, leading a team of over 100 creatives to make digital, audio, campaigns and events for over 12 million people every week. She worked at BBC Radio for over a decade, producing and leading on a diverse range of shows and learning about the threat and opportunity of the internet and a changing young population. She’s now consulting for brands, music labels, tech companies and non-profits who want to reach young audiences and make an impact with good ideas. Rebecca will be delivering our keynote on how to get people under 30 to care about your venue.

Research has indicated that whilst young people are still a key audience segment for cinemas, this proportion is shrinking; presenting real and imminent challenges for the exhibition sector. UK-wide charity Into Film provides 5-19 year olds with inspiring opportunities to learn about and make film, and develop a passion for cinema. It has a commitment to developing young peoples’ appetite for a broad range of film, and strongly believes that through introducing young people to cinema venues in a positive way by offering inclusive experiences from an early age, the confidence and familiarity that will translate into a willingness to continue attending as an adult starts to build. In this brief session, Research and Analysis Manager, Simon Fathers and Head of Audience Development, Flora Menzies will give an overview of the rich body of research commissioned by the organisation that explores the barriers and motivators to cinemagoing and young peoples’ attitudes towards the film industry.

Capturing the elusive ‘youth audience’ has been an developing anxiety of the film exhibition sector for some time now, but with financial, psychological and physical barriers blocking young people's entry to film events what can practically be done to address this? Led by Grosvenor Cinema's Events Manager and Matchbox Cineclub's Events Coordinator Megan Mitchell, this hands-on workshop will explore helpful and practical ways in which to address the issues affecting young people when it comes to attending cinemas and film events, from ticket pricing to advertising. Using case studies, small groups and her own personal experience, Megan will look at successful and not so successful examples of outreach and explore how our industry can serve young audiences better.

Launched in April and continuing through to November, Anim18 is a celebration of British Animation taking place at venues across the UK. Led by Film Hub Wales and Chapter (Cardiff) working with the BFI Film Audience Network and a host of project partners, Anim18 will showcase the best of British talent past, present and future with a programme including screenings, workshops, pop-up events and new commissions aiming to put British animation firmly in the spotlight. In this session, Anim18’s Project Manager Rebecca Goldsmith will outline the programme and how venues can come on board, showing some animation shorts from the BFI Archives and discussing how venues can use animation to create activities and events for young audiences.