The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) has announced new initiatives and programs to further enhance the exhibition sector in the UK. With a focus on investing in culturally underserved communities and providing support to exhibitors, BFI FAN aims to improve access to independent films and boost audience choice. The network is also rolling out skills development opportunities for exhibition professionals. This announcement comes along with the publication of the evaluation of BFI FAN’s activities from 2018-2022, showcasing its success in reaching new audiences and expanding access to screen culture.
SPOTLIGHT: Investing in Culturally Underserved Communities
As part of its latest iteration, BFI FAN introduces SPOTLIGHT, an initiative that will receive additional investment from the BFI National Lottery. This investment will be directed towards eight local areas across the UK, with the aim of increasing audience choice and improving access to screenings of independent films. The funding for SPOTLIGHT is part of the BFI FAN 2023-2026 plan, which has ringfenced £1.85 million from the National Lottery. The goal of SPOTLIGHT is to develop screenings in areas that have been identified as having limited or no screening provision, as identified by their local Film Hubs.
The SPOTLIGHT projects will be carried out over a three-year period, often in collaboration with locally-based film organizations. The objective is to establish sustainable audiences and screening activities that can continue even after the targeted support ends. The selected SPOTLIGHT areas and their partner organizations are as follows:
- Film Hub London: Barking & Dagenham and Newham
- Film Hub Midlands: Stoke on Trent and Stafford, in partnership with Flatpack Festival
- Film Hub Northern Ireland: Newry & Mourne, in partnership with Newcastle Community Cinema
- Film Hub North: Sunderland, in partnership with Sunderland Shorts Film Festival
- Film Hub Scotland: Moray Firth area, in partnership with Eden Court, Inverness
- Film Hub South East: Peterborough, in partnership with the Gateway Film Festival
- Film Hub South West: Swindon, in partnership with Create Studios
- Film Hub Wales: Rural Conwy, in partnership with TAPE, Community Music & Film
Funding Opportunities for Exhibitors
In addition to the SPOTLIGHT initiative, each FAN Hub now has funding available to support various exhibition activities across the UK. With a total funding pool of over £750,000, exhibitors can apply for financial support to enhance their offerings. This funding aims to empower exhibitors to expand their reach, improve the quality of their screenings, and engage with their local communities.
Upskilling Exhibition Professionals
Recognizing the importance of continuous learning and development in the exhibition sector, BFI FAN is rolling out several skills and development initiatives for Hub members. These initiatives provide access to vital training opportunities aimed at enhancing the knowledge and expertise of exhibition professionals.
One such initiative is the REACH: Strategic Audience Development training, developed by the Independent Cinema Office (ICO) and previously run for four editions. This intensive course equips participants with the skills to grow and develop audiences strategically. Additionally, a new course called “Revisiting Your Cinema Business Model” will address the need for greater financial and commercial knowledge within cinemas across the UK.
To further support the professional growth of exhibition professionals, BFI FAN is offering a regular program of online webinars covering a range of topics such as environmental sustainability, access, working with young audiences, and screen heritage. These webinars provide valuable insights and practical tips to improve the exhibition experience.
Furthermore, BFI FAN plans to launch a new conference later in the year that will bring together member organizations to share best practices and innovative film programs. This conference aims to foster a more connected community of peers within the network and promote collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Evaluation of BFI FAN 2018-2022
As part of the recent announcements, BFI FAN also published an evaluation report on its activities between 2018-2022. The evaluation, conducted by Indigo Ltd, highlights the success of the decentralized funding model, which invested £8 million in over 2,428 projects. These projects added an estimated value of at least £21.2 million to the economy. The report indicates that supported activities achieved almost 2.3 million admissions from 1,514 audience-facing projects, exceeding the ambitious audience targets set by BFI FAN.
The BFI Film Audience Network’s latest initiatives and programs aim to strengthen the UK exhibition sector by investing in culturally underserved communities, providing funding opportunities for exhibitors, and upskilling exhibition professionals. The introduction of SPOTLIGHT will bring screenings of independent films to areas with limited or no screening provision, fostering sustainable audience development. With the evaluation report showcasing the success of previous activities, BFI FAN continues to expand access to screen culture and reach new audiences across the UK. Through these efforts, the network strives to create a vibrant and inclusive film exhibition landscape for all.