Case Studies

Independent cinemas, film clubs and societies, and multi-arts venues have produced some of the most exciting cinema events, engaging with audiences across the broadest spectrum of the UK public. From R&D projects, piloting screenings for children with multi-sensory needs, to symposiums on LGBTQ+ film, to festivals raising awareness about living well with dementia, to film clubs led by Black, Asian and minority ethnic d/Deaf audiences, much of the Film Audience Network’s membership – large and small – have been bringing valuable film experiences and a slice of normal life to all people, whatever their protected characteristics.

Here, we share some best practice case studies, in an aim to engage more cinemas to take up inclusive cinema projects, collaborating with partners and specialist organisations to build a cine-literate and appreciative film culture.

If you’d like to submit your own case study, please download this Inclusive screening case study template and submit it to toki[at]filmhubwales.org, so we can share your experiences, too.

Over 1500+ members make up the Film Audience Network. We work with hundreds of partners in arts organisations, the charity sector and through education to broaden the reach of British and international film to diverse audiences, but this only happens when staff take time to step away from the day-to-day to address the bigger picture.

We’ve collated existing best practice guidance on working with diverse groups and diversity specialists from various sectors, not just our own. We’ve also started to fill in the gaps, by creating new guides for exhibitors where there’s demand.

Here you’ll find an array of guidance to support your inclusive cinema aims. Where there are gaps, we’re aiming to fill them. If you have ideas, or would like to contribute, get in touch.

Not only is cinema one of the most accessible forms of experience for audiences on a tight budget, but it’s also a form that straddles the arts, entertainment and leisure categories.

That means that cinema is best placed to be a gateway for people seeking experiences to improve their quality of life, and looking for transformative and positive social interactions.

The law and our definition

Besides that, cinemas have a moral and legal (Equality Act 2010) obligation as public venues to be accessible to all types of audience, and to make suitable changes to their programme and environment to accommodate audiences that may be marginalised by disability, minority or a mixture of traits that could see them feeling alienated from the cinema experience. To this end, we seek to increase diversity throughout the Film Audience Network.

Our definition of diversity is to recognise and acknowledge the quality and value of difference. Our focus is on disability, gender, race, age and sexual orientation (as they pertain to the Equality Act 2010), because there continues to be significant under-representation in these areas. We also seek to ensure that people from lower socio-economic groups are better represented.

Statistics

There are some compelling statistics to clarify why cinemas should be supported to be inclusive in their approach to audiences, and to provide accessible screenings:

• The UK is among the worst performing EU states on improvements to gender equality, and hasn’t improved in 10 years.
• One in five LGBT people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the last 12 months.
• Nearly half (42 per cent) of trans people are not living permanently in their preferred gender role stated they are prevented from doing so because they fear it might threaten their employment status.
• Today, 30% of children in the UK are living in poverty.
• There are over 11 million people in the UK with a limiting long term illness, impairment or disability. Life costs you £570 more on average a month if you’re disabled.
• It is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the past week experienced a common mental health problem and major depression is thought to be the second leading cause of disability worldwide and a major contributor to the burden of suicide and ischemic heart disease.
• There are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK – that’s more than 1 in 100. If you include their families, autism is a part of daily life for 2.8 million people. 70% of autistic adults said that with more support they would feel less isolated.
• There are 850,000 people living with dementia across the UK, and this is set to rise to over 2 million by 2051. 34% of these people don’t feel part of their community and 61% felt anxious or depressed recently.
• Almost half of blind and partially sighted people feel ‘moderately’ or ‘completely’ cut off from people and things around them.
• 34% of respondents with hearing loss said they were dissatisfied with the accessibility of cinemas. Less than 1% of cinema showtimes are accessible via captions in the UK. 83% of people with hearing loss said they would attend cinema regularly if a nearby cinema had captioned shows at convenient times.

Intersections

Where a person has protected characteristics that might place them in a minority group, they are also likely to be affected by other factors that increase their diversity and need for even greater measures by providers to ensure inclusion:

• Between 44% – 52% of autistic people may have a learning disability.
• At least one in three autistic adults are experiencing severe mental health difficulties due to a lack of support.
• People from black and minority ethnic communities are at greater risk of some of the leading causes of sight loss.
• Older people with sight loss are almost three times more likely to experience depression than people with good vision.

The benefits

Inclusive Cinema provides a slice of normal life for audiences with disabilities, and their companions, who may find social and physical barriers when they usually visit cinemas. Simple, practical changes can make a world of difference in bringing film to a wider audience.

Diversifying audiences isn’t just about being fair, and legally appropriate however. There is a real economic value in expanding the capabilities of cinema spaces to bring in audiences from all backgrounds and with a range of requirements. Audience portfolios that are diverse result in more robust organisations, that can handle changes in economic climate, and cultural trends.

As an example, the “purple pound” is the potential spend from over 11 million people with a limiting long term illness, impairment or disability, and is reckoned to be worth around £249bn, as you can see in this BBC video.

… the Film Audience Network (FAN)’s UK-wide project to support exhibitors in welcoming everyone to participate in cinema, by countering cultural, systemic or physical barriers.

The project champions the aims of FAN – to bring British, international and independent film to audiences. With a focus on young audiences (16-30) and a skilled, confident, exhibition sector, access is at the heart of FAN’s strategy. In partnership with our creative network of exhibitors, we celebrate meaningful representations of diversity behind the camera, on screen and in our audiences, working towards the BFI Diversity Standards.

The project is led by Film Hub Wales, as one of eight lead organisations supporting the Film Audience Network, an initiative delivered by BFI using National Lottery funding. The other hubs are Film Hub Scotland, Film Hub Northern Ireland, Film Hub North, Film Hub Midlands, Film Hub South East, Film Hub South West, and Film Hub London.

We collaborate with organisations such as Into Film, Cinema for All, the Independent Cinema Office, the UK Cinema Association, and specialist partners to ensure our work compliments existing efforts to support UK cinema exhibition.

Our approach

• Identify isolated groups and work with our network members to understand viewing habits, barriers to attendance and the best methods of marketing
• Build awareness within the membership of different audiences and their needs when visiting a cinema, so we can provide more inclusive experiences
• Inspiring members to share programmes, creating central spaces for dialogue and debate and maximising limited resources
• Generating national stories and raising the level of understanding amongst wider audiences who visit cinemas
• Create enthusiasm through conversation, resulting in a more inclusive cinema offered by members
• Uncover new and hidden voices to deepen engagement with film, through bringing visibility to diverse talent
• Evolve our vision for diversity and inclusion in line with changes across the sector and act as a beacon for change
• Create realistic, annual activity plans that develop skills, and deliver screenings for audiences, bringing funds into the UK film sector
• Collect robust data, alongside creative and simplified evaluation techniques, closing gaps in learning
• Build successful accessible screenings models across the UK, encouraging sustainable, long-term delivery

What is the Film Audience Network (FAN)?

Supported by National Lottery funding, BFI FAN is a unique collaboration of eight Film Hubs, managed by leading film organisations and venues strategically placed around the UK. Established in 2012, it now has over 1,200 members, including cinemas, festivals, multi-arts venues, community cinemas and film archives, and is at the heart of the BFI’s strategy to build larger and more diverse audiences for UK and international film and a thriving cinema exhibition sector.

Find out more in the downloads section on this page.