Building on the success of exhibition industry conferences including This Way Up, the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) launches FAN Conversations, a series of discussions designed to create and respond to the need for exchange amongst film exhibitors across the UK.
FAN Conversations will deliver online discussions with FAN members and industry experts, on a range of topics that are relevant to the cinema exhibition sector in a challenging and changeable climate. The conversations will be open to FAN members and the wider film and creative industries sector.
The first FAN Conversation will take place on 2nd June at 1pm – 2pm and will ask the question: How are cinemas reconnecting with their communities as they reopen?
How are cinemas reconnecting with their communities as they reopen?
Join the first online FAN Conversation, ‘How are cinemas reconnecting with their communities as they reopen?’ to get fresh insights and reflections from FAN member cinemas that recently reopened their venues to the public. Bringing together a panel of representatives from independent cinemas from across the UK, this webinar session will be an opportunity to hear about their approaches to, and experience of, reopening, brand and community building, their business and fundraising strategies in response to the current operating context, the in-venue (and hybrid) programming models they’ve developed and how they are welcoming marginalised audiences back to their cinemas through community outreach and audience development.
It will also be a chance to reflect more broadly on the challenges and opportunities ahead for cinemas in continuing to work and engage with their communities.
The session will be chaired by Film Journalist Wendy Ide and include guests Oliver Meek, Executive Director of Rio Cinema, Claire Horrocks, Film Programmer at Exeter Phoenix and Neil Hepburn, Marketing Manager at Eden Court.
FAN Conversations will take place via Zoom Webinar, with opportunities for participants to ask questions and share experiences via the chat function. All sessions will have live captioning. Please do let us know if you have additional access requirements and we will do our best to meet them.
The Conversation will also be recorded and uploaded to YouTube after the live event. You can also follow the chat on social media via The Bigger Picture using #FANConversations. You can also sign up to the BFI FAN YouTube channel here.
If there are topics you would like to see discussed at future events, take a moment to submit your ideas here.
To find out about upcoming FAN Conversations, sign up to the Booking Now newsletter which also features booking opportunities for new releases as well as nationwide seasons (e.g. the BFI Blockbuster) and touring programmes.
