Advice & Support

We provide impartial, expert advice & information on a wide variety of topics.

Looking for information on film licensing or the rights on a particular title? Hoping to get your film into UK distribution or to start your own cinema from scratch? Want to expand your programme or look into fundraising? We’ve a vast array of practical, in-depth resources to help.

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How to start a cinema

How to start a cinema is a guide for anyone who is interested in starting a cinema or showing films in their village, town or city in the UK.

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What licences do I need?

Want to screen a film outside the cinema, but unsure what licences you need?

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How do I get my film into distribution?

The ICO is frequently approached by filmmakers who wish to see their films distributed and screened in cinemas.

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Cinemas in the UK & Ireland

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List of distributors

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Screening films in community cinemas

Want to screen a film in your community? Read our practical guide to this exciting and innovative area of film exhibition.

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Marketing

Cinema marketing has changed a great deal in recent years, mainly due to the advent of social networking, which has made the current landscape an exciting place; as you can make an impact and attract new audiences whether or not you have a large budget to do so. 

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Programming

Programming is all about starting a conversation within an audience. It is the job of the programmer to communicate their passion, knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas to an audience by the careful juxtaposition of films in a programme. That programme can be commercial or cultural but it needs at all times to be thoughtful and intelligent.

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Audience development

The concept of audience development is broad in scope and encompasses a large number of activities, but can broadly be defined as an approach to extending the range, scale, nature and interests of audiences.

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Developing Deaf audiences for film

How can your cinema or film festival improve the experience for Deaf attendees? This guide tells you everything you need to know.

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Fundraising

This guide will help you be sustainable and successful by finding a mix of ways to fund your cinema.

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How do I make my cinema inclusive and accessible?

Film and the cinema should be for everyone, but what adjustments can your cinema make to make that possible?

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Film education in your cinema

Film is an amazing way to teach. This guide shows you how to bring younger people into your cinema.

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Working in film exhibition

The essential guide to all roles in film exhibition and the wider sector.

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Useful exhibitor resources

Looking for screening equipment? Want to source box office statistics, film classifications, or posters and trailers to advertise your screenings? Check out our helpful resources for independent exhibitors of all shapes and sizes.

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FAQs

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