An Introduction to Programming & Audience Development for Independent Cinema

Venue: Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, 152 Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4DY

Dates: Wednesday 20 September, 2006

The Independent Cinema Office presents an essential one day training course aimed at independent exhibitors based in Scotland who want to broaden the range of audiences attending film screenings at their venue, film society or festival, while working with limited resources. The course will focus on how to develop your programming strategies and marketing materials to maximise attendances, and is appropriate for full-time and part-time cinemas, arts centres, film societies, film festivals, rural touring organisations and arts development officers.

The course will include presentations and case studies, as well as group exercises which will analyse your current programming strategies and marketing materials and identify ways in which they can be improved. You will learn foolproof strategies first-hand from recognised experts who have years of experience in the field of audience development, programming and marketing in the independent cinema sector, and by the end of the day you will have identified a number of achievable targets for development at your own organisation.

The course will cover the following areas:

  • Programming, diversity and identity - creating the strongest film and event programme for your organisation.
  • What programming strategies can you employ to address the widest audience?
  • How do you reach different target audiences?
  • Are you making the most of new technologies, your website and e-mail list?
  • Do your existing marketing materials adequately sell your film programme – and how can they be improved?
  • How do you access the resources and information you need to do your job?

Booking your place:

Thanks to provision funding from Scottish Screen, the price for this course is £30+ VAT (£35.25). The closing date for applications is Monday 11 September, 2006, but as places are strictly limited and available on a first come first served basis early booking is strongly recommended. To book your place download an application form.

If you have any queries about the course, or wish to check that it is appropriate to your needs, contact Emma Sullivan on 020 7636 7120 or email emma@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk

Course Tutor: Catharine Des Forges

With 13 years of experience across the UK exhibition sector, Catharine is acknowledged as an expert in the field. From 1994-7 worked in the BFI’s Regional Exhibition Unit, programming and advising a range of independent cinemas. She was the programmer for the Brief Encounters Short Film Festival for 3 years, worked as an assessor for the Arts Council Lottery scheme and co-devised and jointly led the BFI’s Cultural Programming Course for 6 years. She set up the Independent Cinema Office, the national organisation for the development and support of the UK’s independent exhibition sector, in July 2003 and has been its Director ever since.

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. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries.

This training day has been organised in partnership with and with the financial support of Scottish Screen.

If you wish to receive updates about any new training schemes as soon as they are advertised, please email us at info@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk