Advice & Support

An Introductory Guide to Programming

Programming is about starting a conversation with your audience.

A huge number of films are released theatrically each week in the UK. Add to this the incredible library of available films from the past 120 years or so, as well as films sourced from sales agents or directly from filmmakers, and you potentially have many thousands of titles to choose from.

In a world where there is so much content available to everyone, everywhere, at all times, the role of the film programmer may be more important than ever before.

When done well, programming can transform the cultural tastes of a community and change people’s lives, offering them a window on a much wider world than their own and giving them a visual and emotional experience that is quite different to any other art form.

Written by the ICO’s programming team, here is our in-depth guide to all aspects of film programming.

Click to download it below:

Included in the guide…

  • Practical issues (rights and formats)
  • Working with film distributors
  • Programming archive/repertory film and from outside the main film schedule
  • Film festival programming
  • New programming opportunities in the digital age

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