Blog

The ICO blog brings you all the latest news from the world of cinemas and film festivals, including opportunities, best practice guides, festival reports, opinions and interviews. To sign up to receive regular updates on the blog, click here. If you’d like to pitch a piece for our blog, please read our guidelines here.

Home Blog

Latest Posts

Fluffy white clouds float beneath a light blue sky.
Margaret Salmon’s Icarus (after Amelia) [2021]
Posted on September 23, 2021

This month on The Cinema of Ideas we are presenting two films by Margaret Salmon, one of Britain's most vital cinema artists, in a double bill which places her latest work Icarus (after Amelia) [2021] alongside her 2016 film Bird. In addition to the screenings, we will be joined by Salmon at 7pm on 29 September for a live-streamed Q&A. Book tickets now. Ahead of the event, Glasgow-based writer & curator Laura Guy discusses the themes of Icarus (after Amelia) and the creative context in which it was conceived.
People sit in rows of seats in a cinema auditorium, facing forwards towards the right hand side.
DIY Screenings: The Challenges the Pandemic Brought to Pop-Up Cinemas
Posted on September 9, 2021

There have been lots of stories about the resilience of cinemas and film festivals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the success many of them have seen in moving screenings online and reaching new audiences during this period. But less has been said about the hardship and difficulties that DIY and pop-up cinemas have faced over the past 18 months. In this blog Rosie Beattie, Co-founder and Producer of Unmellow Movies, discusses the specific challenges that the pandemic has posed to these operators, who make such a distinctive and valuable contribution to their communities.
A young person wearing a cap and red rucksack stands with their back to us looking up at the blue sky.
Why adding young people to your board changes everything
Posted on September 3, 2021

Alongside the publication of our Good Governance Guide for Exhibitors and our call for applications to join our board, we heard from Leon Ward about the benefits young trustees can bring to an organisation's board and some guidance for those looking to transform their governance practices.
News & Opportunities: August 2021 round up
Posted on August 26, 2021

Our regular monthly update featuring all the news and opportunities that matter for your cinema, festival or film society right now.
A Rastafari queen floats in space holding a lamb in her arms. In the background are various celestial objects and a baby inside a star.
Reflections on Omega Rising and the Rastafari Archive
Posted on August 20, 2021

For the first event on The Cinema Of Ideas, our new online platform for amplifying different stories through discussion and film, we'll be joined by curator & researcher Aleema Gray, alongside Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm and June Givanni for a conversation on the experiences of Rastafari women in Britain through an exploration of the Rastafari archive and D. Elmina Davis' groundbreaking 1988 film Omega Rising Women of Rastafari (streaming to accompany the live event from 19 Aug-2 Sept). In this blog, ahead of the event on 26 August, Aleema reflects on her own research into the history of the Rastafari movement and the importance of recording and reinterpreting archival material in reclaiming one’s heritage.
Our work to make cinema jobs fairer
Posted on August 12, 2021

The last year has given us renewed focus on what kind of industry we are making and who has a chance to contribute. Our jobs board is free to access for both recruiters and job seekers and we think it’s a good use of this service to try and push for better jobs, better recruitment and better employment across the industry. We've recently published a new policy for this service which outlines the requirements for posting with us and provides some best practice recommendations for recruiters, which we hope will contribute to creating a fairer industry and help employers to find the best candidates. In this blog, the ICO's Projects and Business Manager Duncan Carson discusses the thinking behind these changes.
A chain of lightbulbs hang down from a ceiling. The one closest to us is seen in focus, the ones behind appear out of focus, as yellowy-orange balls of light.
Working Towards an Inclusive Cinema Culture
Posted on August 6, 2021

Following the events of summer 2020, specifically the murder of George Floyd and the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests worldwide, the ICO has been developing an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion action plan. As part of this process we discussed the plan with a group of critical friends from outside the organisation, to gain feedback on our proposals and to ensure our work is collaborative, well-informed and effective in elevating the needs of people who experience racism. In this piece one of those critical friends, Lara Ratnaraja, discusses her experience of this process and her vision of a truly inclusive cinema culture.
A black and white film still showing six samurai stood against a pale sky, looking at something in the distance.
News & Opportunities:
July 2021 round up
Posted on July 28, 2021

Our regular monthly update featuring all the news and opportunities that matter for your cinema, festival or film society right now.
Bringing Young Audiences to Cinema Heritage
Posted on July 22, 2021

In this blog we hear from Laura Kloss, founder of Lightbox Cinema, about her work teaching and inspiring young audiences to learn more about cinema heritage. She offers tips on how to create interactive workshops looking back at silent cinema, 16mm film, magic lanterns, and the play of light and shadow.
A black and white photo showing two people looking to the left. The person on the left holds a small film camera up to their eye.
Island Hearts, Desert Hearts:
Travelling with Tove & Tooti
Posted on July 6, 2021

Ahead of the ICO's UK premiere of Travels with Tove (streaming online from Friday 9 July), Club des Femmes' So Mayer discusses the expressive beauty of this globetrotting film - which shows an intimate, perhaps less familiar aspect to Moomin creator Tove Jansson’s life and art: her relationship and filmmaking collaboration with Tuulikki Pietilä, the graphic designer and artist.

Want to pitch for the ICO blog?

We’re always open to receiving pitches for our blog. If you have an idea for an article, please read our guidelines.

Our guidelines

Categories

Subscribe to our mailing list

What would you like to receive emails about?
* indicates required
Join the mailing list

Be first to hear about jobs, opportunities, our training, films and much more
Get in touch

Got a question about independent cinema? Send us an email

Our website uses cookies. This is so we can analyse how people use the website and improve it, and to optimise your experience.  For more details see our privacy policy.