Join this WAVE MAKERS CREATIVE PRODUCERS LAB, a one day event at the University of Portsmouth with speakers from the world of cinema exhibition asking if live cinema is the way forward for the cinema experience. Supported by BFI Film Hub SW, the day will include practical sessions on how to run a successful event.

Are you a cinema fan looking to experience film exhibition in exciting new ways?
Or are you an event producer looking for new opportunities to curate and create innovative cinema experiences?
Then this may be the event for you!

Why ask this question now?

The landscape of cinema exhibition has changed over the last few years, in part due to the pandemic which understandably saw a shift towards consumption of streaming content and a general change in audience behaviour. But there has also been a move away from ‘theatrical windows’ for the release of feature films reflecting a challenging new marketplace with the rise of the digital disruptors Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ and others. The collapse of the DVD market this has brought about has put further pressure on distributors to seek out new models for exhibition and audience engagement.

On the other hand, there have been a number of success stories for live, event, immersive and expanded cinema. From 2019 onward the expansion of large-scale immersive cinema experiences led to a widespread recognition for live cinema as an exciting new opportunity for cinema exhibition. Organisations such as Secret Cinema have led the way in moving live cinema from the margins to the mainstream. Putting live and event cinema at the forefront of the newly emergent experience economy.

Is live cinema the way forward for innovative curation of the cinema experience?

This one day event is going to ask this very question with speakers from the world of cinema who are curating and creating events that offer new ways to experience cinema.

During the morning workshops you can build your personal skills in event management, exhibition marketing and community cinema programming. Aimed at anyone with an interest in putting on their own live cinema events these sessions will be hands-on and practical.

Then in the afternoon there will be an opportunity to share in the wisdom of people expert in the field of cinema exhibition including: Tara Sachdeva (Compass Presents), Charlotte March (Creative Giants Art), Malisa Chafer (No6 Cinema) and Roy Hanney (MWFF). A series of short talks by each of our speakers followed by a Q&A, the session will ask the question: what is the future of the cinema experience.

Programme

09:30-10:00 Registration

10:00-12:00 Parallel Workshops (chose from one of three sessions)

  • Session A: Event Management with Roy Hanney (MWFF) & Ajay Parakeh (Kabuki Productions)
  • Session B: Event Marketing with Bill Sainsbury (MWFF) & Malisa Chafer (No6 Cinema)
  • Session C: Community & Live Cinema Programming with Neil Ramjee (BFI Film Hub SW) & Yael Freidman (University of Portsmouth)

12:00-13:00 Lunch

13:00-14:30 Panel Presentations and Q&A

  • Roy Hanney – Creative Director, Making Waves Film Festival

Where & When

Date: 10-14:30 Saturday 18th February 2023

Location: Eldon Building, Middle Street, CCI, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO1 2DJ

Tickets: free but must be booked in advance 

Register on Eventbrite

Supported by Making Waves Film Festival, University of Portsmouth, and Film Hub SW, funded by the BFI Film Audience Network.