Finding audiences for independent film is a process that has many midwives. With the rise and rise of Irish and Northern Irish production, and audiences becoming more diverse and disparate, including audiences in the development process is becoming more and more important. 
 
We were therefore delighted to grab a chat with 'Audience Design with Síle Culley', a Dublin based consultancy helping independent producers and established production companies identify potential audiences for their films and the positioning of their projects in the ever-competitive marketplace.
 
We discussed Síle's background in distribution, and how her work in that area spurred her on to develop Audience Design and the kind of work she does with producers and screen agencies to embed audiences into the development process. 
 
You can contact Síle and find out more about her work here. 

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.

We caught up with Maeve Cooke, Director and Stephen McNeice, Special Projects Officer from the mighty Access Cinema to talk about the independent cinema scene in Ireland and how their work develops and supports exhibitors across the island. 
 
We talked about how Access Cinema was established in 1977, how independent cinema has developed and how they bring the wide world of cinema to all arts and parts. 
 
Since Film Hub NI was created in 2013 we've found the support, advice and inspiration of the Access Cinema team invaluable, so it was a pleasure to sit down and learn more about their work in detail.  

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.

Hugh (on his own this time) headed up the road to Derry/Londonderry to speak with Eavan King, Film Programmes Manager at Nerve Centre and Christopher Morrison, Programmer of Foyle Film Festival. We talked about the cinema heritage of the Nerve Centre, the creation of Foyle Film Festival in 1987 and the place of film in the creative landscape of the North West.
 
 Today, 10th April 2024, marks the start of Foyle's spring festival Reel Lives Festival and Christopher and Eavan gave us a great run down of what people can expect from the exciting, innovative programme on offer.

For more details on Foyle Film Festival, click here. 

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.

With the Academy Awards over, we thought we would release this recording of NI's own Oscar recipients, Tom Berkeley and Ross White, which we made last year as part of Northern Ireland Screen's Masterclass series. In the famous Screen 1 of Queen's Film Theatre, Ross and Tom were generous with their time and shared experiences of festivals, networks, early influences and plans for the future. 
 
Thanks to Christine Morrow, New and Emerging Talent Executive at Northern Ireland Screen, for organising the event and for all the attendees for being there. 

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.

Sara and Hugh are joined by Isabella Koban of Ghouls on Film the Belfast based, feminist horror film society screening at the Black Box.

In a fascinating discussion, Isabella told us about finding escape in cinema in her teeenage years, why she loves programming the horror genre and the community that has grown up around Ghouls on Film since their foundation in 2021. We also got an early update on Ghouls on Film's contribution to the BFI FAN's 'In Dreams Are Monsters' season starting in October 2022.

Sara also updated us on the forthcoming Collective tour from Film Hub NI members. The Irish language film Róise & Frank will be touring across NI, beginning on the 6th October in Limavady. You can find out more about the screenings here.  

Thanks as ever to our lovely producer, Stephen Mullan. 

Let's show films! 

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.

With the Imagine Festival currently screening films that highlight the role of censorship in what and how we watch, we were delighted to invite Dr Sian Barber, Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at Queen’s University Belfast, to join Sara and Hugh in discussing the issue of film censorship and the impact of censorship on the modern film world.

We discussed a range of areas, including the recent controversy in film caliossifation for The Batman and Foscadh, the role of local councils and the BBFC and what the future looks like in light of the proposed online safety bill.

We also have the return of Sara's Film Round Up, giving you the skinny on all the independent cinema coming up, in your area.

You can read some more about Sian's work here. 

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.

In this special episode, Film Hub NI are joined by Joan Parsons, Head of QFT and Mimi Turtle, CEO of Strand Arts Centre to discuss the huge impact of Kenneth Branagh's Belfast on local cinema and local audiences. 

We're also joined by LUMI film critic Fionntán Macdonald, to talk about his recent series of blogs on Belfast films. Fionntán has taken a wide range of films, from Odd Man Out to Good Vibrations and looks at common themes as well as the problematic issues in depicting place on screen.

You can read Fionntán's work on the QFT website. 

We've also got an update on forthcoming screenings from Film Hub NI members in the coming weeks. 

Let's show films!  

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.

After too long a break, Sara and Hugh return with a new series of podcasts celebrating the return of Film Hub NI members, doing what they do best, showing great films.

First up we're joined from Belfast Film Festival by Michele Devlin, Director and Stephen Hackett, Head of Programming, to talk about the forthcoming in real life return of the Festival.

Covering such topics as the premiere of Sir Kenneth Branagh's  new peon to his hometown, Belfast, Japanese surrealism, archive film and much more, we are so looking forward to the festival, and after listening to this, so will you be.

For details of all screening in BFF21 and how to book, visit the festival website. 

Also this episode see the return of the much missed, 'Sara's Round Up'. It's been too long. 

Enjoy, and let's show film! 

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.

Before COVID-19, UK & Ireland cinema admissions were booming - increasing year on year, with Northern Ireland performing particularly well. Shutting the entire film sector down practically overnight has had a massive impact on every aspect, from production right through to exhibition. Many cinema operators moved to explore online players, distributors moved to show films online – missing out theatrical runs entirely, and audiences had an overwhelming choice. As (at the time of writing) cinemas are closed for the third time, operating within the confines of government legislation, what does the enforced digital intervention we saw in 2020 mean for the future of cinema? Do audiences still value the collective experience? How can we even measure the impact of online events? What does this all mean for the whole film industry eco system?

Listen to the edited highlights to hear Hugh and Sara from Film Hub NI chat to guests Joan Parsons (Head of Queen’s Film Theatre), David Freyne (Writer and Director, Dating Amber ) and Patrick O'Neill (Wildcard Distribution) about the future of cinema through the perspective of exhibition, filmmaking and  distribution.

The Moving Pictures Podcast series forms part of a wider Moving Pictures Programme of training and mentoring for Film Hub NI Members. Sincere thanks to Northern Ireland Screen for supporting this initiative through the Department for Communities.

Every effort has been made to provide a quality listening experience but please note that these recordings were made during January – March 2021 in our homes over Zoom so the sound quality may, at times, be patchy. Many thanks to our wonderful producer, Stephen Mullan, for all his hard work recording and editing this work under difficult circumstances.

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.

The art of programming film for real life screenings is one which takes much time to learn but how does this transpose into programming online?

How have distributors responded during the pandemic? What sort of engagement can cinemas expect? What sort of content do audiences want from this type of platform? Is hybrid delivery the future of cinemas and festivals? Join Hugh and Sara as they try to answer all these questions with Rose Baker (Belfast Film Festival & WANDA) and Michael Staley (Queen’s Film Theatre).

The Moving Pictures Podcast series forms part of a wider Moving Pictures Programme of training and mentoring for Film Hub NI Members. Sincere thanks to Northern Ireland Screen for supporting this initiative through the Department for Communities.

Every effort has been made to provide a quality listening experience but please note that these recordings were made during January – March 2021 in our homes over Zoom so the sound quality may, at times, be patchy. Many thanks to our wonderful producer, Stephen Mullan, for all his hard work recording and editing this work under difficult circumstances.

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.

Ensuring that your in-venue screenings are as accessible to the widest audience possible is a key consideration for most cinemas and community cinemas.

As the shift to online viewing has increased substantially during the pandemic, how do exhibitors ensure that these type of screenings are available to as many people as possible? While there are some clear opportunities in terms of reaching audiences who may not be able to travel to cinema spaces, there are also some issues in terms of availability of captioned films etc. Hugh and Sara are delighted to have Toki Allison, BFI Film Audience Network Access Officer share her expertise and offer plenty of advice for making online screenings as inclusive as possible.

The Moving Pictures Podcast series forms part of a wider Moving Pictures Programme of training and mentoring for Film Hub NI Members. Sincere thanks to Northern Ireland Screen for supporting this initiative through the Department for Communities.

Every effort has been made to provide a quality listening experience but please note that these recordings were made during January – March 2021 in our homes over Zoom so the sound quality may, at times, be patchy. Many thanks to our wonderful producer, Stephen Mullan, for all his hard work recording and editing this work under difficult circumstances.

Support the show

Supported by National Lottery funds, Film Hub NI was established in 2013 by Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast in their capacity as NI’s BFI Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO). FHNI works to support the creativity and energy of the film exhibition sector across NI and ensure a wide range of film is available to audiences right across the country.

The BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) is made up of 8 Film Hubs which cover the whole of the UK. Each Film Hub is led by a Film Hub Lead Organisation (FHLO) that receives funding from the BFI to deliver extensive programming, audience development activity and support sector training in their region.

Click here for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.