In June of 2018, we released our inaugural report on diversity in the film criticism space using reviews featured on Rotten Tomatoes across the 100 top films of 2017. Now, we are partnering with TIME’S UP Entertainment and extending that investigation in three important ways. First, the diversity of critics associated with the 100 top … More
Easy Read information is designed for people with a learning disability who like clearly written words with pictures to help them understand.
There is more to watching films than meets the eye. Experiencing films together can change our lives, communities and society for the better. The BFI Film Audience Network has developed The Bigger Picture to showcase how exhibitors across the UK are making a difference, from dementia-friendly screenings to young programmer initiatives. Full of inspirational case … More
The BFI FAN Advice and Experience scheme is here to help you if you feel you are lacking in a specific area of cinema expertise, have an issue you’d like to talk through, or need some programming advice. We can provide you with the assistance and knowledge you require to help your organisation develop and … More
Developing young audiences for independent British and international film plays a key role in the BFI’s 2022 strategy and the future of the British film industry. Film Hub London is therefore proud to be leading the Young Audiences strategy on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN). We aim to increase the numbers of … More
We manage nationwide funding programmes supporting screen heritage events on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network. Changing Times is a four-year initiative that explores over a century of social change as documented by the UK’s film and television collections. Each year, Changing Times takes a particular contemporary issue as its theme with the aim … More
Film Hub Midlands leads on Major Programmes, UK-wide programming that all FAN members can get involved with, including an annual BFI ‘Blockbuster’ and National programming generated from within the Network. Seasons include: BFI Musicals, Comedy Genius, Film Feels…
FAN supported BFI Musicals in autumn 2019. This was a nationwide cinema season celebrating the spectacle and craft of Musicals on film. This major season was led by BFI, Independent Cinema Office and Film Audience Network (FAN).
FAN member cinemas could access screening support to present films, mini seasons or events as part of the season. With screening support, they received help to fund their own independent programming and events plus support to do wrap around activity related to the seasons core titles.
For exhibitors who wanted to include Captioned Subtitles on their screenings, Sweet Charity was bookable from the ICO touring programme. Tommy and Singin’ in the Rain was available from the BFI.
Exhibitors who wanted to run a Dementia-Friendly screening, could take a look at our downloads section. Screenings are adapted to make the environment more suitable for people living with dementia. You can find more about running dementia-friendly screenings here. Dementia-friendly screenings are also sometimes called Relaxed Screenings, though these can also be suitable for people with multi sensory sensitivities or different conditions such as autism or learning disabilities.
Exhibitors who were interested in running a relaxed screening, could find out more in our quick tips for running relaxed screenings. There is also some transferable advice in our autism-friendly screenings guide, though bear in mind much of this advice is specific to people living with autism, not necessarily those who are Learning Disabled. Ideally, consult with Learning Disabled groups in your area for advice and expertise.
Sarah Stewart-Brown, professor of public health at the University of Warwick and a wellbeing expert, describes mental wellbeing as follows: “Feeling happy is a part of mental wellbeing. But it’s far from the whole. Feelings of contentment, enjoyment, confidence and engagement with the world are all a part of mental wellbeing. Self-esteem and self-confidence are, … More
With Learning Disability week coming up in June, now is the time to support learning disabled representation in the film industry as well as consider access to cinema for neurodivergent audiences.
In 2019, FAN New Releases supported Signature’s title The Peanut Butter Falcon, a modern Mark Twain-esque adventure starring Shia LaBeouf (American Honey, Fury) as a small-time outlaw turned unlikely coach who joins forces with Zack Gottsagen‘s Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome on the run from a nursing home with the dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Dakota Johnson (Suspiria, Fifty Shades of Grey) stars as Zak’s loving, but stubborn, carer.
This feel-good film features a Learning Disabled actor in a leading role, where his disability is not the main element of the story. It’s a tale of friendship and adventure, and will appeal to fans of wrestling, good storytelling, and/or road movies.
You can now watch The Peanut Butter Falcon on BFI Player.
Bookings for Community Cinema screenings can be made from Cinema For All.
You can also watch the film My Feral Heart on BFI Player. A drama in which Luke (Steven Brandon), a young man with Down’s syndrome who prizes his independence, is forced into a care home after the death of his mother. There he rails against the restrictions imposed on him, but his frustrations are allayed by his budding friendships with his care-worker Eve (Shana Swash) and a mysterious feral girl (Pixie Le Knot).
If you’re interested to run a relaxed screening, to help bring in Learning Disabled audiences to your cinema, find out more in our quick tips for running relaxed screenings. You may also find some transferable advice in our autism-friendly screenings guide, though bear in mind much of this advice is specific to people living with autism, not necessarily those who are Learning Disabled. Ideally, consult with Learning Disabled groups in your area for advice and expertise.
