Inclusive Cinema’s podcast series, Working Class Inclusion: Audiences, Colleagues & Programming, provides information and guidance to support exhibitors in improving cinema experiences for working-class people and those in poverty.
The resource comprises a series of six podcast episodes that cover a range of areas, from sliding-scale ticketing and equitable employment practices, to the films that are programmed and how they are presented.
There is also an access and inclusion checklist to support venues, festivals, industry initiatives and event organisers with strategic and operational measures to welcome working-class audiences and colleagues.
The series is presented by Dr. Leanne Dawson, senior lecturer in Film and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant.
The resources are intended as a practical guide to support cinemas, festivals and film exhibitors to welcome working class people as audiences and staff to their venues and increase access to independent cinema for all.
Working through these 6 short podcasts we hope you can find ideas and understanding of barriers for working class people, with a view to increasing access in cinemas, and offer a chance to reflect on where your venue is currently at.
Click on each link to listen to all 6 podcasts
You can download the transcript for each episode from the downloads section.
This introductory episode explores some issues with working class inclusion such as how we define class and that the term ‘working-class’ groups many different experiences together.
What to reflect on your organisation and how it can take small, cost-free measures to improve it’s welcome to working class people.
What to reflect on whilst working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion EDI) in your organisation.
Consider the barriers you create that prevent people entering and/or enjoying your space or event.
How to include a spectrum of working class representation onscreen.
How to ensure you have working class employees at all levels of the organisation.
You can listen to all six podcast episodes of Working Class Inclusion: Audiences, Colleagues & Programming here:
Coming soon to:
We have provided a checklist of measures as suggested in the podcasts to provide your staff and venue with an easy point of reference when considering inclusion of working-class people in your work.
You can find this in the downloads section on this page.
We have provided a list of film suggestions which can be used for ideas and inspiration for film programmers when considering working-class representation in cinema. We’ll be updating this with distributor/access materials information as this comes in (until the end of March 2023).
You can find this in the downloads section on this page.
Why the project matters The pilot challenges barriers to cinema and film faced by wider communities, and takes a bespoke approach to meeting needs which heighten the barriers during COVID. It ensures that during a time of desperation for survival in the exhibition industry, that already marginalised communities do not continue to be neglected. Aims … More
We Shall Not Be Removed has worked in partnership with Ramps on the Moon, Attitude is Everything,Paraorchestra, and What Next? to create a new guide for the arts and entertainment sectors to support disability inclusion. Our Seven Inclusive Principles for Arts & Cultural Organisations working safely through COVID-19 is designed to complement the suite of … More
We Shall Not Be Removed worked in partnership with Ramps on the Moon, Attitude is Everything,Paraorchestra, and What Next? to create a new guide for the arts and entertainment sectors to support disability inclusion. Their Seven Inclusive Principles for Arts & Cultural Organisations working safely through COVID-19 was designed to complement the suite of guidance documents already issued by UK Governments and sector support organisations.
The focus of this unique initiative, which builds from the #InclusiveRecovery campaign, was to ensure D/deaf, neurodiverse and disabled people were not discriminated against as creative work begun again and as venues re-opened following closure during the Covid pandemic. The Seven Principles offer practical guidance to arts and cultural organisations to support disabled artists, audiences, visitors, participants and employees.
The Seven Principles are applicable across all art forms and across all 4 UK nations and come with endorsement from a wide range of leading sector bodies including: Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, The Arts Council of Wales, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Film Institute, The Museum Association, Theatres Trust, Royal Philharmonic Society and the British Council.
Read the full document for details and examples here at WeShallNotBeRemoved.com
You can also find out more through this video.
Work plays a huge part in our health and wellbeing. However, it’s not simply about having a job. Our working conditions, the level of support provided by our employer and our work-life balance are also important. This is especially true for the 3 million workers in the UK who also care for loved ones with … More
As a young carer you can find helping someone very rewarding, but you also have the right to be looked after. Find out what young carers do, how to spot if it’s getting too much and what to do about it.
When an issue is shown on TV and in film it can bring it to a wider audience and increase awareness, which is why we love it when caring is depicted on screen.
I have created a video showing a list of films that show some examples on what carers go through, some movies are dramatic with serious content, other films are humorous and there are plenty of films that can be light-hearted as well as heartbreaking.
Carers Week takes place in June and aims to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families, communities, workplaces and society throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
There are 6.5 million people in the UK who are carers. They are looking after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness or who needs extra help as they grow older.
Caring can impact on all aspects of life from relationships and health to finances and this should not be underestimated.
There are many ways exhibitors and venues can support carers, from considering accessibility for the people they care for to offering cinema escapism through film, social networks through film groups and screenings, and supporting carers in the workplace.
It’s vitally important that we recognise carers, either as customers, audiences or employees, for the difficulties they may be experiencing, respect them for all they are doing, and provide them with information, support and understanding.
