Testimonials

On our services…

"No other organisation has this experience, knowledge or understanding."

"I've worked in partnership with the ICO in both Derby and Sheffield and in each venue both the staff and the board have really valued the independent and objective advice of the ICO Team. They do a first class job and as an organisation they are an essential component of the UKF film industry."

"The ICO offers a first-class service with friendly, knowledgeable staff who are never too busy to offer advice and help when needed."

"The ICO client forum and Making the Most of Your Digital Screens training event were as good as I have ever known in my time working in film - very useful and most enjoyable. It's really interesting to see how ICO has forged its place in the film community - most impressive."

On ICO Screening Days…

"I programmed everything I saw; the screening days helped me to decide HOW I programme each film."

"Thanks for an enjoyable and smoothly run [screening days] – this event does seem to improve every year!"

"Saw 10 films over 3 days and only 1 was poor (and that's useful to know, too) Will help immensely in the next round of programming. Just wish you had more of them."

"Great programme, welcoming and informed staff, good venue, good scheduling."

"The screening weekend was the first of its kind that I've been to, and I thought the choice and range of films was superb. I chose 10 films to watch and I'm sure I will programme them all."

On ICO Touring…

"Archive film belongs on the big screen and all ages of customers react with interest to the opportunity of seeing it there. It's a real (and easy to organise!) special event."

"…The Independent Cinema Office is just about to offer British audiences a major chance to broaden their perspectives."
Kevin Jackson, The Guardian

"Not since the heyday of Channel 4's now legendary 'Midnight Underground' series has there been a better chance to immerse yourself in the visionary world of inspired image making."
Gareth Evans, Time Out

"The sheer glamour of cinema…crops up again and again in these programmes."
Philip Hensher, Mail on Sunday

On ICO Training…

"I feel inspired and motivated. Thank you!"

"Wonderful discussion that really helped me focus my own methods in approaching a wider audience."

"The opportunity to meet and learn from some of the main players working in cinema has proved invaluable, and greatly aided my career trajectory!"
Rob Baker, Cinema Marketing Manager, Barbican

"I would've been lost without the ICO! I've attended a number of ICO training days and have found them invaluable both in terms of gaining skills to help improve the cinema operation of venues I have worked for and for networking with other film exhibitors. They are a golden opportunity for cinema operators to raise their heads above daily deadlines and pressures and learn new skills and keep abreast with new developments. In mixed arts venues especially, you have an incredible sense of isolation. Coming along to ICO courses, all of a sudden you realise you're not alone in the world and that there are places you can go for help or advice. I've certainly benefited from these training days and don't know of anywhere else I could have gained this industry focused knowledge and training. The courses have been invaluable for me."
Lesley Anne Rose, Cinema Development Advisor, Northern Film and Media

"Attending the Cultural Cinema Exhibition course in 1998 was hugely valuable in that it gave a really thorough grounding in the way exhibition and distribution works in the UK. The most useful thing about it was that the speakers on the course came from both commercial and independent backgrounds so that you received a very balanced view of the way the industry works. I'm sure that having the course on my CV helped me get my job in the Exhibition Development Unit at the BFI, my job at the Film Council as Policy Executive and the Exhibition Office job at (LFVDA/Film London) as well as my current job!!!"
Pip Eldridge, Chief Executive, First Light Movie

"The Cultural Cinema Exhibition course is brilliantly structured and run, and gave me an invaluable insight into the ins and outs of programming cinemas. It also gave a real understanding of how the industry, distribution, exhibition, festivals etc actually work and the networking there was fantastic as well. Overall, the course was a great stepping stone to my career in the industry."
Alex Stolz, Distribution and Exhibition Executive, UK Film Council