Film Hub NI Podcast

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 [https://www.sileculley.com/].  Support the show [https://www.filmhubni.org/contact/] 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 [https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-film-audience-network/find-your-local-film-hub] 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 [https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-film-audience-network]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 [https://www.accesscinema.ie/] 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 [https://www.filmhubni.org/contact/] 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 [https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-film-audience-network/find-your-local-film-hub] 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 [https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-film-audience-network]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 [https://www.filmhubni.org/now-showing-tags/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 [https://foylefilmfestival.org/].  Support the show [https://www.filmhubni.org/contact/] 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 [https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-film-audience-network/find-your-local-film-hub] 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 [https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-film-audience-network]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 [https://www.filmhubni.org/contact/] 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 [https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-film-audience-network/find-your-local-film-hub] 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 [https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-film-audience-network]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 [https://www.facebook.com/ghoulsonfilmbelfast] 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 [https://indreamsaremonsters.co.uk/]' 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 [https://www.filmhubni.org/now-showing/].   Thanks as ever to our lovely producer, Stephen Mullan.  Let's show films!  Support the show [https://www.filmhubni.org/contact/] 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 [https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-film-audience-network/find-your-local-film-hub] 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 [https://www.bfi.org.uk/get-funding-support/bring-film-wider-audience/bfi-film-audience-network]for more information on the scope of work carried out across the FAN.