Programming Specialised and Archive Film

Venue: Norwich University College of the Arts, Learning Resource Centre, Duke Street, Norwich NR3 3AJ

Date: Thursday 11th December 2008

Times: 10.00am – 4.45pm, followed by networking drinks (registration from 9.15am)

"Excellent, accessible, expertly informative" – 2007 trainee

This course has been developed especially for independent cinemas, film festivals, arts centres, film societies, screen agencies and arts development officers from all over the UK who are interested in creating a strong programme of cultural and archive film screenings.

The public appetite for screen heritage has been demonstrated in recent years by annual UK admissions of 750,000 for archive screenings; the huge success of the BBC/BFI series 'The Lost World of Mitchell and Kenyon', which attracted over 4.5 million television viewers each week; and the enthusiastic response of new audiences to 'Bombs at Teatime' and other BFI Mediatheque on Tour programmes. With the advent of the UK Screen Heritage strategy, there is no better time to develop archive film exhibition projects.

The course will cover:

Session 1:

Option A) Introduction to Programming Specialised Film
David Sin, Director (maternity cover), Independent Cinema Office
What journey does a film go on from production to screening? What are the issues facing the business of specialised film distribution and exhibition in the UK? What key skills does a programmer need to create a strong programme of cultural film?
This session is suitable for people new to the sector or those looking to understand the basics of programming.

Option B) Innovative Programming Models: A Panel Discussion
Speakers will include Fabien Riggall, Founder and Director, Secret Cinema, Sarah Perks, Engagement Director, Cornerhouse and Christo Wallers, Star and Shadow Cinema.
A unique opportunity to discuss new and unusual approaches to film programming with the organisations that are pushing the boundaries, including Secret Cinema's mystery events model, Cornerhouse's "open source" programming and Star and Shadow's co-operative system.
This session is suitable for all.

Session 2:

Fostering Relationships with Distributors
Matthew Smith, Head of Sales, Lions Gate and Kate Gerova, Head of Distribution, Soda Pictures.
A candid discussion with guest distributors about the process of acquiring and releasing a film, the pressures they face, and tips for developing a good working relationship and getting the right films for your venue, festival or film society.

Session 3:

Programming Screen Heritage
Speakers will include Jane Alvey, East Anglian Film Archive; Patrick Russell, Senior Curator (Non-Fiction), BFI National Archive; Sue Porter, Film Development Officer and Coordinator of Cinema Rural Touring in East Midlands; and Anna Kime, Marketing and Development Coordinator, ICO.
Find out everything you need to know about screening archive film from cinema programmers and curators of national and regional archives. What collections are held in which archives and how do you access them? What "ready made" programmes of archive film are available for booking? What are the creative, practical, technical and legal issues to consider when screening archive film?

Speaker biographies

Participants will have the option to take a tour of the East Anglian Film Archive. The day will also include opportunities for peer discussion and networking with exhibitors from all over the UK. An online forum will facilitate further discussion, ideas-sharing and the initiation of partnerships in the months following the course.

Cost:

Early bird rate of £90 + VAT (£105.75) if booked by 31st October, otherwise £100 + VAT (£117.50). The price includes lunch, refreshments and networking drinks. Bursaries are available towards fees, travel, accommodation and/or access costs from many of the Regional Screen Agencies and from the ICO:
Download bursary guidelines
Download ICO bursary application form

Booking your place:

Download a course registration form and return it with a cheque payable to the ‘Independent Cinema Office‘ by Friday 28 November. Unfortunately we are unable to accept payment by credit or debit card, but can raise an invoice upon request. Places are limited and available on a first come-first served basis, so early booking is strongly recommended.

Travel and accommodation:

The Learning Resource Centre is a 10 – 15 minute walk or short taxi ride from Norwich train station. It is situated on Duke Street, opposite Premier Inn. For a map of the area, see streetmap.

For trains to Norwich, see National Express East Anglia.

Flybe flies to Norwich from Dublin, Edinburgh, Exeter, Guernsey, Jersey and Manchester. BMI and Eastern Airways fly to Norwich from Aberdeen. From the airport, a taxi to the city centre will take about 15 minutes and should cost around £10. There is a taxi stop adjacent to the main terminal building, or you can book a taxi in advance from Norwich Airport Taxis: 01603 424044.

If you're travelling by car, St Andrews car park (winner of "Best New Car Park of the Year" award in 2006!) is located at the St Andrews Street end of Duke Street, about 2 minutes walk from the Learning Resource Centre. Parking costs £5 per day.

If you need to stay the night, see places to stay in Norwich.

Access:

There is street level access to the venue and the rooms used for the course are all on the ground floor, where there is also an adapted toilet. Unfortunately the optional archive tour may not be accessible for everyone - please contact us to discuss your requirements. For an independent assessment of accessible hotels in Norwich, see DisabledGo.

If you have other access needs, please let us know on your registration form or you can contact us by phone or email. The ICO has an access fund for this course. If you require financial support for access costs, for example, to provide a signer, special equipment or travel and accommodation for a helper, please see the bursary guidelines.

Course information is available in alternative formats upon request.

Further information:

If you have any queries about the course or wish to check that it is suitable for your needs, please contact Tilly Walnes, Training & Development Officer: tilly@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk / 020 7079 0477.

This project is funded by the Skillset Film Skills Fund, which is supported by the National Lottery through the UK Film Council and the film industry through the Skills Investment Fund.

This course is supported by Screen East through the Regional Investment Fund for England.