Storyhouse, Chester: Young Programmers

Storyhouse, Chester: Young Programmers

Background Storyhouse Young Programmers are a group of fifteen 14–25-year-olds who are passionate about programming. Young Film Programmers first took place in 2016 – before Storyhouse opened. It was an audience development scheme supported by FAN via Film Hub Northwest Central (now Film Hub North) with the aim of connecting with young audiences and to … More

Exeter Phoenix Young Audiences Panel

Throughout 2021, the Exeter Phoenix recruited a group of 18-25 year olds to form the first Young Audience Panel. Background In January 2021, Exeter Phoenix worked with a freelance Cinema Outreach Coordinator to work on an audience development project aimed at strengthening visibility of their new cinema screen Studio 74 and to find new ways … More

Leeds Young Film – INDIs Young Programmers Group

INDIs Young Programmers Group have worked to put on monthly screenings, including during and through the pandemic period. Background INDIs Young Programmers Group are a group of 16-30 year old film enthusiasts who work to put on film screenings every month. Pre-pandemic, we put on many successful in-person screenings of many independent and British films … More

What this resource is

Black text on a yellow background says: Working Class Inclusion: Audiences, colleagues and programming

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. 

Who this is for

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.

What can be achieved with the guides

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.

The Podcasts

Click on each link to listen to all 6 podcasts

You can download the transcript for each episode from the downloads section.

EPISODE 1: What does ‘working class’ mean and how are working class people excluded?

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. 

EPISODE 2: Improving working class inclusion for free

What to reflect on your organisation and how it can take small, cost-free measures to improve it’s welcome to working class people.

EPISODE 3: Broader measures: for those who can dedicate some money to welcoming working class people

What to reflect on whilst working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion EDI) in your organisation.

EPISODE 4: Welcoming working class audiences

Consider the barriers you create that prevent people entering and/or enjoying your space or event.

EPISODE 5: Inclusive working class programming

How to include a spectrum of working class representation onscreen.

EPISODE 6: Welcoming and retaining working class colleagues

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:

Soundcloud

Amazon

Coming soon to:

Spotify

Apple

Working Class Inclusion Checklist

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. 

Working Class Programming Suggestions and Film List

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. 

Working Class Inclusion: Audiences, Colleagues & Programming - Introduction to Podcast

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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

The arts are in The Sunken Place – how do we Get Out?

In the film Get Out (2017), an African American man meets his white girlfriend’s family for the first time. Despite the warm, generous welcome he receives he knows that something is amiss, it’s just off. The film turns into a biting satire on parasitic consumption of African American culture and the violence of liberal racial … More

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Inclusive Cinema is an initiative led by Film Hub Wales. Film Hub Wales is a network of film exhibitors led by Chapter, Cardiff (Film Hub Lead Organisation) that share common goals to ensure cinema is accessible to as many audiences in Wales as possible. The Hub aims to increase the opportunities to engage with cinema in all its diversity and raise the profile of the Welsh cinema sector.

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