New Releases

Since summer 2018, BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) has been supporting four new release films each year to help exhibitors across the UK engage with more diverse audiences and programme more titles that might be perceived as being ‘risky’ or ‘too challenging’. Anyone can submit a film for consideration and we particularly welcome submissions from … More

Our commitment to diversity

As the lead body for film, and in our role as a public funder and a Lottery distributor, it’s essential that the BFI represents a contemporary Britain – in the films we fund and show, the audiences who watch them, and the filmmakers, actors and crews who make them. Film has the potential to be … More

How do I make my presentations accessible?

Oral presentations often make use of visual aids such as PowerPoint presentations. If consideration is not given to blind and partially sighted members of the audience, a presentation can be inaccessible. The World Blind Union (WBU) produce simple guidelines on how to maximise your impact by ensuring that your presentation, and your delivery technique, is … More

Subtitling and audio description

To ensure the maximum number of people can benefit from watching films in your venue, you may wish to hold screenings with HOH subtitles (HOH stands for ‘Hard of Hearing’) or audio description, which serve Deaf or hard of hearing and partially sighted or blind audiences respectively. It’s important that cinemas are welcoming to all … More

Key information and statistics on sight loss in the UK

What are the main causes of blindness in adults? Age-related macular degeneration is by far the leading cause of blindness in adults. Other significant causes of sight loss are glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. How many people have sight loss in the UK? Every day 250 people start to lose their sight in the UK. As of … More

Sight loss data tool

The  RNIB’s Sight Loss Data Tool is the UK’s biggest collection of eye health datasets. The product collates a wide range of publically available datasets and allows users to view local area data easily in one of three different automated reports. The full report tells a tailored story about the local area; custom tables allow … More

[VID] How to engage new young audiences in experiencing theatre

To encourage new young audiences to experience theatre, the Arts Council’s A Night Less Ordinary scheme in association with Metro offered over half a million (618,000) free theatre tickets to anyone under 26 at more than 200 venues throughout England. In this video Jane Finnis, Culture 24, Jake Orr, www.ayoungertheatre.com, Susan Whiddington, Mousetrap Theatre Projects … More