Advice & Support

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

Home Advice & Support

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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COVID-19 restrictions for cinemas

Information regarding COVID-19 restrictions on cinemas in each of the devolved nations of the UK.

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COVID-19 support and resources

An evolving list of the support & resources which are available to cinemas and people working within the exhibition industry.

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Reopening Cinemas - The Independent Way

The results of our Exhibition Sector survey.

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Good governance guide for exhibitors

How to ensure your governance is working for you.

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The impact of COVID-19 on the exhibition industry

The results of our Exhibition Sector survey.

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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 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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Culture Restart Cinema Tracker

'The Cinema Tracker provides a way to check in with your audiences to see how they are feeling about returning to the cinema and how they felt after.

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An introductory guide to film projection

Looking to start projecting film or revitalise old equipment? Read our downloadable guide.

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How to develop audiences for independent cinemas

Want to expand your audience and bring new members of your community into your venue? Read our downloadable guide.

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Marketing for Independent Cinemas

Want to start thinking more strategically about your marketing and communications? Read our downloadable guide.

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Developing Visually Impaired Audiences toolkit

Is there more you could be doing to develop your venue's visually impaired audiences? Read our downloadable guide.

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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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Green cinema toolkit

Want to increase your cinema's environmental sustainability? Read our downloadable guide featuring case studies from leading UK venues.

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Cinemas in the UK & Ireland

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How to plan an outdoor screening

Planning an outdoor screening, but not sure where to start? Download our practical guide to all aspects of outdoor screenings.

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List of distributors

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Programming

Programming is about starting a conversation with your audience.

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How do I get my film distributed?

The ICO is frequently approached by filmmakers who wish to see their work screened in cinemas and in active distribution.

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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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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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Fundraising

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