Advisory Group members – ICO Screening Days

Salary: £750 fee

The Independent Cinema Office is looking for members for a paid advisory group for its Screening Days programme.

ICO Screening Days is the largest events programme for the UK cinema sector (read more). Part of our recognition of the importance of Screening Days in shaping UK cinemas (both as they are and as they could be) is that we could be doing more to share this influence, and to incorporate a wider range of knowledge, expertise and ideas to change our sector for the better. Over the last year, we have been thinking deeply about how we can challenge our own biases, break down assumptions and produce more original and compelling work.

In recognition of the fact that we don’t have all the answers, we are looking for three people to form an advisory group who can help shape the year-round programme of films and practical discussions at a strategic level, as well as lead thinking on specific events. We hope that this advisory group becomes central to the work we are doing with Screening Days.

What will the group advise on?

We currently run three specialised events focused on inclusion and diversity; archives; and young audiences. This is where the primary focus of the advisory group will lie. This is a small sample of the kind of areas we need guidance on (we hope the group itself can help expand this further as it develops):

• Concrete ideas on issues in the sector (including the barriers to creating change and access for a wider group of people)
• Areas of best practice that the wider sector should adopt
• Expanding our network of speakers and thinkers
• Developing the format of events to best support demonstrable change
• Reaching those who are currently excluded or marginal from independent cinemas audiences (and from Screening Days as an event itself)

What kinds of people are we looking for?

We are not necessarily looking for formal qualifications, a CV as long as your arm or an impressive sounding job title. You need not be someone who is familiar with the ICO’s work or has attended Screening Days before. We can imagine that those outside our traditional audience perhaps have the best ideas how the events could change. You do not need to work in film, but you should have a keen sense of the challenges that arts organisations are facing and the issues they have as institutions.

The key qualities we are looking for:

• Have knowledge of areas in which UK cinemas could be doing better, either drawn from within or outside the sector
• Understanding and experience of connecting with audiences (this could be outside film exhibition in the wider film, arts, or cultural landscape)
• Passionate about film exhibition (cinemas, film festivals, community screens, film clubs)
• Committed to the possibility of change and innovation in UK cinemas
• Excited by collaboration
• Have deep insights into the lived experience of those who are currently excluded from the UK’s independent screens (people of colour and disabled people in particular)

What’s involved in taking part?

We envisage spending the equivalent of three days across the financial year 2021/22, with a mix of research and meetings taking up this time. You’ll liaise with Duncan Carson, Projects and Business Manager for ICO (who manages the Screening Days programme) as well as key members of the team where appropriate.

You don’t need to do the work itself. The ultimate responsibility and delivery will be done by the members of ICO staff, but this is an opportunity to influence and advise. You will be credited for your guidance of the programme and there will be opportunities to deliver portions of the event including workshops, discussions and film programmes. These will be paid for in addition to general advisory work, if undertaken. We can be flexible around meeting times (including evenings and weekends), so that it fits the schedules of those who we recruit for the group. You are not expected to be the ‘representative’ of a community and your suggestions can be outside of your lived experience.

We will also be seeking individual session proposals for our three specialist events on young audiences, archives and inclusion and diversity. The call for proposals focused on young audiences is now live if you would like to submit. You are welcome to submit an open call proposal and to submit an application to join the advisory group as well.

What is the fee?

£750, invoiced across three days over the year at £250/day.

How to apply

Please send an email with:

• A short paragraph on an issue in cinemas, film festivals or community exhibition you think needs improvement, potentially including your approach to changing it (300 words maximum)
• A short paragraph on what experience (which need not be professional film industry experience) you would bring to the group that would help us in our work (300 words maximum).

Be direct and concise. Please send these in the body of an email with the subject line ‘Screening Days Advisory Group’ to: duncan.carson@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk. If you’d like to discuss the role and get a better sense of the work involved, please feel free to email Duncan directly too.

The closing date for this position is 05/05/2021 at 10:00