As the COVID-19 crisis continues we're continuing to work closely with our partners at the BFI, Screen Scotland, UKCA and the wider FAN to plan and prepare for the coming months. Please find a regularly updated list of resources, links and toolkits below. If you have a specific question please do get in touch and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.
Updated 19th February 2021
FAN Guidance for Community Cinemas
For non-theatrical and community exhibitors, Film Hub NI have compiled a really comprehensive guide to approaching reopening - from PPE and distanced seating to programming and outreach to your community. Access it and download here.
UKCA: Coronavirus Awareness Training
The UK Cinema Association and the sector skills agency ScreenSkills have launched an online e-learning module and assessment test around COVID-19 for all those working in cinema exhibition. The Coronavirus basic awareness for cinemas resource is adapted from training originally conceived for film and television production, developed by ScreenSkills with funding from the BFI awarding National Lottery funds and the ScreenSkills High-End TV Skills Fund.
We Are Parable: Audience Confidence in Returning to Cinemas Data
With discussions over the safety of cinemas reopening in a Covid-19 era still ongoing, we’re delighted to share We Are Parable’s research on audience confidence in returning to the cinema.
We hope the data will prompt conversation on what more needs to be done to protect and safeguard Black, Asian and other ethnic audiences. Anthony Andrews from We Are Parable presents their findings. Read more here.
FHS Online Courses and TrainingLots of the courses are now FREE to access, but please get in touch if you require financial assistance to access training or advice. Download it here.
FAN Advice Sessions
Are you in need of specialist advice for your venue, programme, or festival at this time? Film exhibition advisors can help you with one-on-one or group advice sessions via the relaunched FAN Advice Sessions scheme. The scheme offers half-day sessions with a range of sector experts, tailored to your specific needs and questions – from COVID-19 crisis planning to online screenings.
Find out more and book a session here: http://www.advicesessions.com
The Bigger Picture
The COVID-19 lockdown has meant that venues have had to get creative when it comes to engaging with their audience members, whether it’s online film clubs, watch parties or being more engaged on social media. However, for some venues all of this might seem incredibly overwhelming, so The Bigger Picture has compiled a list of useful guides to get you started: How-To Guides
FAN Case Study: Saffron Screen
When COVID-19 meant that Saffron Screen's plans for the FAN New Release title System Crasher were cancelled, they moved their event online including guest speakers. Read the Case Study on the Bigger Picture.
List of UK Distributors working with Exhibitors
Access a comprehensive list of UK Distributors currently offering splits on streaming content including new releases, courtesy of Annabel at BFI Major Programmes. Click here to download the PDF.
Matchbox Cineclub: Scalarama Roundtables
Film Hub Scotland funding is supporting Matchbox Cineclub to produce monthly roundtable sessions on all aspects of exhibition in the lead-up to Scalarama 2020. Make sure to join their Facebook group to join the next session, and you can catch up on previous sessions here.
Virtual Screenings
Vimeo OTT - How-To Video from Aaron Guthrie
Queens Film Theatre Belfast wanted to find a way to continue to connect with their audiences, and developed the QFT Player using Vimeo OTT as a way to stream content including theatre and films. Aaron Guthrie (Young Audiences Co-ordinator, QFT) has created this brilliant guide to using Vimeo OTT yourself. Watch the video here (captioned).
Cinema For All Virtual Screenings Guide
Our friends at Cinema For All have put together some tips and advice for setting up your own online film club! This is a great opportunity to experiment with your film choices, try out new forms of communication with your audience, and deepen the connection to your community. Download the Guide here.
The Bigger Picture Online Films Index
Toki Allison (Inclusive Cinema) & Jo Taylor (Freelance Exhibition & Distribution Marketer) have compiled an eclectic list of online indie film recommendations, including new releases, festival programmes, archives as well as digital guides to help FAN members get started. They've added a £ symbol where there is a charge associated, but most of the content is available for free. View it here.
To read the full report, click here: https://bit.ly/ICOReopeningSurveyReport
Screen Scotland has announced changes to its Film Festivals Fund, which now enables film festivals across Scotland to develop and deliver festival screenings and activity which is in part or wholly digital, in response to COVID-19. The Fund will now support organisers to include costs such as hosting activity on online platforms and associated delivery costs in their application.
The updated Fund also provides additional support for accessibility costs such as audio description, captioning and BSL interpretation. Find out more here.