BFI FAN CON 2024

BFI FAN CON – Connecting the BFI Film Audience Network

Belfast, 11-13 September 2024


Join us in September at a new conference for BFI FAN members. Cinemas and film exhibitors from across the UK will gather to strengthen their professional networks, learn about some of the most exciting FAN projects, and draw inspiration on new ways to reach and engage audiences in a diverse screen culture.

The first BFI FAN CON will take place in Belfast at Queen’s Film Theatre (QFT) and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), offering a brilliant chance for FAN members to get together and explore this exciting, welcoming city with its many cinematic landmarks.

The conference will open with a preview screening on Wednesday 11 September and be followed by two days of sessions and workshops across Thursday and Friday. On Thursday evening, there will be a conference dinner in the Great Hall of QUB, and on Friday evening, there will be the opportunity to join a specially curated cinematic tour of Belfast.

BFI FAN CON is for all types of FAN exhibitors, from small community cinemas and touring collectives right up to large multi-screen independent cinemas and landmark film festivals. The event is for anyone working or volunteering in any film exhibition role at a FAN member organisation and at any level of their careers. If you’re passionate about your work in film exhibition, we hope you’ll join us at BFI FAN CON!

N.B Registration for BFI FAN CON is now closed.


Opening Night Reception & Screening: Cal

Wednesday 11 September at Queen’s Film Theatre (QFT)

Reception: 6.30pm
Screening: 8pm

BFI FAN CON will open with a reception, supported by our partners Northern Ireland Screen, at QFT. The reception will be followed by a screening of the new digital version of Pat O’Connor’s Cal.

Cal (1984) is a landmark film in the depiction of the Northern Irish Troubles and one that cemented QFT’s reputation as the home of Irish film in Belfast. Produced by David Puttnam, the titular character Cal (John Lynch), a young man on the fringes of the IRA, falls in love with Marcella (Helen Mirren), a Catholic woman whose husband, a Protestant policeman, was killed one year earlier by the IRA. The film stunned the 1984 Cannes Film Festival, with the then much less-well-known Helen Mirren, unexpectedly winning that year’s Best Actress Award.


Programme

Deaf Awareness Training

This session aims to bring an understanding of and minimise the everyday barriers experienced by D/deaf people.  It’s aimed at organisations and individuals who want to gain an understanding of deaf awareness, gain life skills to improve their communication and improve their organisation’s accessibility.

Delivered by British Deaf Association


Family Fortunes: Reaching Families and Children

We all know that audience demographics have changed significantly post-COVID and research from The Audience Agency tells us that family groups are the fastest growing audience and increasing their cultural activities overall.  We’ll look at that research in this session and hear from Exeter Phoenix and Cinemagic Film Festival in Northern Ireland about how they’ve successfully engaged children and family audiences and developed a sustainable practice.


Integrating Accessible Cinema Experiences for All Audiences

In this session, Matchbox Cine’s Charlie Little will contribute their thoughts to the recent industry exploration of cinema subtitle glasses, sharing a perspective of lived experience and accessible film exhibition expertise before going on to discuss the inclusive practice of reliable descriptive subtitled screenings. Guest speaker Paul Lofting of Paramount will be invited to discuss Paramount’s UK-wide campaign and initiative to roll out preview screenings with descriptive subtitles and BSL training for cinema staff.

Speakers:
Charlie Little, Matchbox Cine
Paul Lofting, Sales Director, Paramount Pictures


Placemaking for Cinemas: Building a Cinema Brand

Bringing together the worlds of marketing science and placemaking, experienced agency brand strategist Bernadine Brewer will look at how organisations of all sizes can go beyond film-by-film marketing, and utilise these concepts to build and deploy a meaningful brand story. Using simple frameworks, this session should make you think differently about how your brand can connect with your communities and audiences, inspiring loyalty and repeat visitation.

Delivered by:
Bernadine Brewer, Freelance Brand Strategist


Contemporary Collecting and Future Audiences

As film archives across the UK work to ensure their screen heritage collections better reflect the UK’s diverse communities, many are addressing the new shared challenge of collecting today’s digital moving image works and ensuring these histories are preserved for future generations. This session will consider how exhibitors can partner with archives on these contemporary collecting programmes, exploring opportunities for engaging new audiences in this work and providing a critical access point for communities to share their stories and learn from others.

Speakers:
Elspeth Vischer, Project Coordinator, Northern Ireland Now, Nerve Centre/NI Screen
Jemma Buckley, Project Manager, Our Screen Heritage, British Film Institute 


Revisiting Your Cinema Business Model: Learnings from the Front Line

The pandemic and the subsequent arrival of the cultural recovery fund, alongside the challenges of the economic climate which are still with us all, brought a focus to the financial frailties of the independent cinema sector and the difficulties of ensuring economic sustainability in organisations. The first iteration of ‘Revisiting your Cinema Business Model’ has been running for six months, and course leaders Steve Mapp and David Sin will be here to have an open conversation with delegates about learnings from the course so far, challenges and solutions and the ways we can develop new models of economic sustainability.

Speakers:
Steve Mapp, Former CEO, Broadway Cinema
David Sin, Head of Cinemas, Independent Cinema Office


Nature Restoration in Film Exhibition

Have you wondered how cinemas could help reverse the decline of nature in the UK? Have you considered how you could incorporate nature more in your environmental policies? Perhaps your cinema could help one of our endangered urban species whilst also building communities and engaging potential audiences. Join the RSPB Belfast Window on Wildlife along with freelance community coordinator and film exhibitor Olivia James in this introduction to how film exhibitors can positively incorporate nature. Bring along your ideas, questions, suggestions and examples and get involved (or sit back and be inspired).

Curated by Olivia James

Speakers:
Tádhg MacCannadh (Tim McCann), Visitor Experience Manager, RSPB Belfast Window on Wildlife
Olivia James, Freelance Community Coordinator and Film Exhibitor 


Spotlight: Working with Communities in Underserved Areas

This session brings some of the learnings and expertise from the BFI FAN Spotlight programme which is investing in culturally underserved communities to improve audience choice and improve access to screenings of independent film. Amy Smart, Spotlight lead for Film Hub Midlands will be joined by two other regional Spotlight leads to talk about how they are approaching identifying community needs, leveraging funding for community screenings and building partnerships. After the panel, the group will split into facilitated breakout groups focusing on specific areas of expertise from the participating Spotlight leads.


The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Attending the Cinema

This session will look at how cinema can help keep us healthy. Drawing on case studies of successful projects that have used cinema as part of a social prescription model, research from hospital cinema sites, and case-studies of other projects that have used the collective experience of cinema-going to help our mental wellbeing, this session will inspire us to think in new ways about the role of film exhibition and challenge us to better articulate the healing power of cinema.

Curated by Claire Horrocks, Exeter Phoenix


New Audiences for Repertory Cinema

This panel discussion will look at the new wave of interest in repertory cinema from audiences that’s evident at the box office and the success of initiatives such as Cinema Rediscovered and BFI Film on Film, the success of Letterboxd in fuelling interest and discuss how FAN members can harness this energy to attract new audiences and enrich their programmes.

Film Policy 101: Where does the money to support film come from and how does it get to exhibitors?

Ever wondered how money from the government and the National Lottery reaches film exhibitors? This session will shed light on the pathways through which public funds are made available for film and how they reach exhibitors. Led by the BFI’s Jack Powell, it will explore how the BFI works with DCMS and the National Lottery on policy and funding.

With a new government in post, the session will also consider what changes there might be on the horizon and how exhibitors can contribute to future advocating efforts.

Speakers:
Jack Powell, British Film Institute


We’ll Come to You: People-Centred Approaches to Film Exhibition

How meaningful is your community engagement and your project evaluation? Are the ways you currently work helping you to understand potential barriers for audiences from underserved socioeconomic backgrounds and what you can do to address them?

This workshop will look at how we evaluate engagement and participation, and how we can open up current models to be co-created with people and communities. We’ll focus on how people-centred evaluation can provide new perspectives to inform your work, understand the impact of what you do on a deeper level, and develop initiatives that are both relevant and wanted by communities.

During the session you will be encouraged to reflect critically on failures – as well as successes – and consider next steps for developing participatory projects and their evaluation, bringing together the voices that often get missed on a tick-box form.

Curated by Linnea Pettersson


Relaxed Networking for Cinema and Access Workers

Using some principles from relaxed and accessible screenings, Midnight Memphis will facilitate an accessible networking session which is open to all delegates who have an interest in or are engaged in access work. This can include any workers who currently work with or aim to work with people who experience barriers of any kind and/or workers who experience barriers themselves and who wish to connect with other workers in the sector. There’ll be a chance to sign up in advance for one of the limited number of spaces and to indicate any access requirements and personal goals for the session.

Facilitator: Midnight Memphis, Film Exhibitor and Access Worker, Daydream Cinema


The Evolving Role of AI in Cinema

This interactive session explores the evolving role of AI in cinema and wider culture, covering current applications for video, image, music and text generation, while also exploring how AIs can be used to create games and interactive experiences. Covering key concepts in AI, the session will discuss practical topics like prompt engineering fundamentals and using AI for data analysis. Designed for all knowledge levels, this session aims to provide a foundation for understanding AI’s potential in cinema and offers strategies for continued self-learning and personal innovation. A laptop and headphones are encouraged but not required.

Speakers:
Jocelyn Burnham, Independent AI Practitioner and Trainer


Gather: A Convening of the Global Majority BFI FAN Network

This is an opportunity for Global Majority BFI FAN programmers, marketers and cinema workers to come together to share, celebrate and support each other in inclusive practice in the BFI Film Audience Network and discuss ideas on how we move forward on current models across the sector.

Facilitator:
Lara Ratnaraja


Saving Our Cinema, Securing Our Future

This session will look at a range of independent cinemas across the UK that have successfully embarked on ambitious renovation programmes to secure their futures.  It is designed to be an inspirational, practical session, reflecting on challenges faced and lessons learnt by venues at various points along their redevelopment journeys: Strand Arts Centre, Belfast; Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff; and Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds.

Curated by Strand Arts Centre, Belfast

Speakers:
Mimi Turtle, CEO of the Strand Arts Centre, Belfast (speaker and chair)
Wendy Cook, Head of Cinema at Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds
Claire Vaughan, Cinema Programme Manager at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff 


Updates from the Industry & Sector-Wide Initiatives

A chance to get updates and ask questions to representatives of some new and continuing developments in the industry including the newly-established Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, which seeks to uphold and improve standards of behaviour in the sector, and Escapes, the BFI’s national scheme that collaborates with independent cinemas to offer new audiences an opportunity to enjoy the big screen experience and discover cinema.


Making Film Festivals More Sustainable and Inclusive


How can we think differently and more expansively about the role and potential of film festivals? Yi Wang, Director of Queer East in London, will look at how challenging a top-down programming approach by using guest curators has led to greater inclusivity and richer experiences for audiences while Michael Pattison, Director of Alchemy Film & Arts in Hawick, will share how their festival, through their Film Town initiative, has become a multi-dimensional year-round presence that has increased engagement and local opportunity while leading to a more equitable and sustainable organisation for those working in it.


Board Game: Sustainability Planning

Facilitator and cinema curator Bruno Miguel Castro will lead this session where he’ll introduce the board game “Sustainability in the Arts” which was created within the framework of the CoopAnimArt Erasmus+ programme. This is a fun way to work as a team to think differently about the way your organisation looks at integrated sustainability planning and determine areas for development. Played in small groups, it’s also something that you can bring back and facilitate within your home organisation’s team after the conference.


Releasing Irish Films: From Script to Screen

Irish film has become a global force to be reckoned with over the past few years and this is no small part to the commitment and passion from independent distributors who place significant value on audience engagement from the outset. Join Gill Cooper (Wildcard Distribution – titles include KNEECAP, and LYRA) and Robert McCann-Finn (Breakout Pictures – titles include THE QUIET GIRL and THAT THEY MAY FACE THE RISING SUN) as they discuss the state of the cinema industry across the Island of Ireland and give us a sneak peak at some upcoming releases.


Ticket options

N.B Main registration for BFI FAN CON is now closed.

The ticket price includes the Opening Reception and Screening, the conference refreshments and lunches on Thursday/Friday and the Thursday Conference Dinner in the Great Hall. The cinematic tour is not included and tickets are available to book separately for £15.


Schedule

Download the full schedule for the event using the buttons below.

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At a glance:

Wednesday 11 September

18:00 – Opening reception & a special screening at QFT

Thursday 12 September

09:00-17:00 – Conference Day 1, QFT
19:00 – Conference Dinner in the Great Hall of Queen’s University Belfast

Friday 13 September

09:00-17:00 – Conference Day 2, QFT
Evening – Cinematic Tour of Belfast (Booked separately)


Who can attend?

BFI FAN CON is for anyone who works or volunteers at a member organisation of the BFI Film Audience Network. Organisations can become a member through their regional or national Film Hub.

We hope that a wide range of venues, large and small, from all over the UK will send delegates to BFI FAN CON. We’d like to see people who work in many different areas of film exhibition, from audience development, front-of-house, programming, operations, leadership positions, marketing and more.

Freelancers: There are a limited number of Freelancer Tickets available for freelancers who are currently working on a project with a FAN member, have worked on a project with a FAN member in the last 12 months, are collaborating on the BFI FAN Spotlight project or are working on a Cross-FAN Champion Area.

If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible to attend, send an email to filmhubse@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk before you book and we’ll be able to help.


Accommodation

We have a limited number of rooms available at Queen’s University Belfast for £45/night on 11th & 12th September. Please indicate if you would like to put yourself forward for one of these rooms when you register.

We will contact you as soon as possible to confirm if one is available, as rooms will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. You can also email us at filmhubse@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk if you’d like to check availability before you book your ticket.

We have also secured special conference discounts at other Belfast city centre hotels. Details will be circulated to booked delegates.


Support to attend

Your Film Hub may also be able to offer bursary support for your attendance.


Travel

Ferry + Train: This is the most environmentally friendly way to travel to BFI FAN CON from Great Britain, so we encourage you to consider it. You can search for and book combined ferry + train tickets on thetrainline.com.

There are regular ferries from Cairnryan to Belfast with Stena Line, which also has a twice-daily service from Liverpool. It’s also possible to travel with Irish Ferries or Stena Line from Holyhead to Dublin Port and then onwards to Belfast by train or bus.

Air: Belfast City Airport is three miles from Belfast City Centre. The Translink Airport Express 600 bus service runs between the airport and Belfast City Centre.

Belfast International Airport is a 30-minute drive from Belfast City Centre. The Translink Airport Express 300 bus service runs between the airport and Belfast City Centre.

See the FAQ for local transport options.


FAQ

How accessible is the event?

QFT is an accessible building adapted to make your visit as easy as possible. You can find detailed access information on the QFT website and watch walk-through videos. The other spaces we will use in Queen’s University Belfast are also accessible. You can find some detailed access information about the Laynyon Building, where the Great Hall is located.

A quiet room at QFT will be available throughout the event.

Live captions, transcription and BSL interpretation can be provided for sessions.

Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements in your online registration.

The Cinematic Tour of Belfast involves moving around the city on a route of up to 2 miles. The route is wheelchair accessible. If you have other questions about accessibility on the tour, please do get in touch.

If you have any other needs or queries about access not answered here, email us at: filmhubse@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk

What’s included in the conference ticket?

The ticket price includes the main conference sessions, the opening reception and film preview on Wednesday evening, conference refreshments and lunches on Thursday/Friday and the Thursday Conference Dinner in the Great Hall. The Cinematic Tour is not included and can be booked at an extra cost of £15 per person. You can book this nearer the time if you prefer.

Accommodation is not included in the conference ticket.

How can I get to QFT once I’m in Belfast?

You can find QFT at 20 University Square, just across the road from the Graduate School at Queen’s University Belfast.

The nearest train station is Botanic Station (5 mins walk).

The nearest Metro stops (1 min walk) are:

– Botanic Avenue – College Green stop. Bus 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 29,

29A, 29B, 29C, and Ulsterbus Nos 18A and 519.

– University Road – Queen’s University stop. Bus 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D.

Parking: Limited during the day on weekdays but there’s free parking along University Square and at the car park by the McClay Library from 4.30pm on weekdays and throughout the weekend. There are also parking spaces for disabled badge holders across the road by the Graduate School. These are available for 5.30pm during the week and all day at the weekend.

BOOKING

Registration for BFI FAN CON is now closed.


Read our Code of Conduct

The BFI Film Audience Network want the conference to be a welcoming, collegiate and inclusive space for film professionals. We expect people attending and working at BFI FAN CON to maintain this code of conduct. Harassment and bullying have no place at BFI FAN CON.

Examples of inappropriate behaviours that contravene our code of conduct include offensive comments, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of events, aggressive behaviour, inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention.

If someone behaves inappropriately towards you or you witness something inappropriate, please report it to a member of BFI FAN CON staff or email us. Your complaint will be treated with discretion. We are happy to help and can help report inappropriate behaviour to the authorities where necessary or address the problem ourselves where more appropriate. We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone who does not comply with our code of conduct. This code of conduct applies both in-person and online.

If you would like to speak to an independent organisation about an issue, the Film and TV Charity have a free and confidential 24-hour helpline available on 0800 054 00 00.


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