Hub Members Attend ICO Screening Days
Film Hub Members attend ICO’s Screening Days with help from training bursary
The ICO (Independent Cinema Office) runs national Screening Days events, a staple in the independent cinema calendar giving exhibitors the chance to watch the best upcoming film releases from across the globe and discuss them with industry peers. The Screening Days took place in both Nottingham and London in Autumn and Spring where hub members from Cymdeithas Ffilm Y Fenni, Chapter Cardiff, a Pontardawe Film Club went along to not only see upcoming releases to help develop their programmes but also for invaluable networking and discussions.
Here’s what our members told us about their experience:
These informal discussions are so helpful in sharing best practice and picking up hints and suggestions on marketing appropriate to the films. Meeting with the Film Promoters in person is always appreciated as it makes the booking of the films straight forward.
The ICO Screenings Days provide members with the opportunities to explore new UK independent and foreign language film releases as well as being able to discuss programming of various films directly with the representatives of distribution companies. David Charles Price attended on behalf of the Cymdeithas Ffilm Y Fenni to explore new UK independent and foreign language film releases. Dave came away with a plan for the next season’s programme, new contacts and potential new partnership with Borderlines Festival where they plan on sponsoring a film. Angie Dickinson attended on behalf of Pontardawe Film Club and found this opportunity significant in the programming for the venue, ultimately amending their original suggestions based off of the outcomes of attending the Screening Day as well as new marketing ideas thanks to meeting Promoters in-person.
It was not only useful to hear about strategies but also essential to demonstrate solidarity and compassion for each other as colleagues in our sector as we move forward and help each other.
Claire Vaughan from Chapter Cardiff attended the Screening finding the in-person films vital to having greater programming knowledge. Having secured bursary funding, Claire was also able to attend the ICO Audience Development day and arrange meeting with other venues in the area who have a similar offering to Chapter, visiting Derby QUAD, HOME Manchester and Phoenix Leicester. The visits and audience development day provided Claire with more in-depth knowledge on young audiences, an understanding of other venues’ strategy on resilience, leading to further meetings, as well as information on audience’s Eco credentials which she was able to feed back to the team and the UKCA policy.
Dave, Claire and Angie were able to attend the ICO Screening Days with the support of Film Hub Wales via our Bursary scheme. If you want to attend a meeting, course or event that would benefit your organisation and develop audiences but the costs are prohibitive, you can submit an application for support here.