BFFS Community Exhibitor Survey 2011
The UK’s appetite for big screen entertainment is alive and well and not confined to commercial cinemas, according to the latest survey results from the British Federation of Film Societies.
Download the full survey report
Each year BFFS conducts an annual survey of community exhibition in the UK to examine how film society and community cinema screenings fit into the wider context the UK film industry.
The top findings of this year’s survey are summarised below.
The 2010/11 survey found that community cinema is thriving in many parts of the country, bringing the best films from around the world to local communities that might otherwise not get to see them:
- Film societies and community cinemas enhance film provision in areas otherwise neglected by commercial cinemas. 43% operate in rural areas (compared with 3% of commercial screens).
- We estimate that film societies and community cinemas recorded around 255,000 admissions in 2010/11. Theatrical ticket sales on this scale would have generated box office revenues of £1.5 million.
- 26% of films screened by community cinemas in 2010/11 were British, while 27% were films in a foreign language (up from 20% in the previous year).
- The three most programmed films were An Education (2009), The White Ribbon (2009) and The Secret in Their Eyes (2009).
However, despite the best efforts of community cinema providers, often run entirely by volunteers, public sector cuts and the wider economic slowdown have taken their toll. One in ten survey respondents said they had been directly affected by public sector funding cuts, at national or local level, with reasons given including increased venue costs, reduced grants from local authorities and a decrease in membership levels.
BFFS is disappointed that community cinemas have been affected in this way, and will continue to provide support, information and advice to all UK community exhibitors to help them get through these tougher times.
The survey also found BFFS remains highly valued by members and users of its resources and services. Every service or resource was rated as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ by 67% or more of the respondents.
One survey respondent wrote: ‘When we need to ask anything you are there and are very helpful. I would like to think that you will always be there. There is nowhere else to go who has your resources and knowledge.’
Guy Thomas, BFFS Chair, commented:
‘Yet again our survey demonstrates the vitality of community cinema, promoting access to quality films in convenient local settings. Community cinema is driven by passionate film fans who willingly volunteer their time to enrich the cultural life of their communities and support the UK film industry. BFFS is proudly committed to assisting these organisations in their mission to connect under-served audiences with great films on the big screen. It’s gratifying that the needs of the sector have been recognised in the recent Film Policy Review and BFFS will continue its commitment to deliver Cinema for All’
