Looking to bring the magic of the movies to your local community but have no idea where to start?
Working behind the scenes as part of the community cinema programme Movie Mavericks has taught Holly Norcop a thing or two about delivering unique film experiences. Here Holly shares her Ten Top Tips on Running a Film Night with Artsbank…
1. Start with the Basics
The top three things to consider are:
- Equipment
- Film choice
- Venue
For equipment, you will need a projector, sound system, and screen. If it’s your first event, you will not likely want to buy and store all that stuff. Potential venues like cafes, community halls, and churches often have projection equipment as a starting criterion for selecting your venue.
2. Make Friends! 
Approach community interest groups, local arts and events companies to hire equipment and seek sponsorships. If you are on a tight budget, look for companies that might align with your values and want to support your project. For example, do you want to reach new young audiences? Then it could be worth approaching a local youth charity to partner with. They could lend you some equipment and help you tap into a new audience base from their organisation.
3. Run a Tech Trial Run
Don’t underestimate the amount of technical problems that can happen when an audience is waiting – Trial Run is a must!
Ideally, have a trial run of all the equipment at the same time you intend to screen to check the picture quality in the available light. It is also a good idea to think about how you’re going to put out chairs so everyone can see and how your audience will see the route to the bathroom.
The type of projector will depend on how far back from the screen it needs to be. The best thing to do is play around with it until you are happy with the picture, they are temperamental beasts, so on the night plan for an hour to get it right.
4. Think about the light sources in the room
No matter how powerful your projector is, you can always improve the screening quality by eradicating sources of light in the room. Where possible, screen at Dusk or night time. If that’s not possible, then block out the windows and any natural light sources.
5. Don’t Trip up On Your Risk Assessment!
In most cases, you will probably have to place your projector in the audience’s middle aisle. So trip hazards and equipment breakage is a real possibility.
Mark out where the projector needs to go in tape on the ground so you can move it away and return it quickly when the audience is seated. Tape down or borrow trip mats, so any trailing wires between the laptop, projector and the sound system don’t trip up your audience members.
6. When choosing a venue: Only Go Where You Are Wanted
Many potential venues will be looking for ways to attract new people into their cafés, community halls and bars. There is a lot of unseen work that goes into screening a film, so don’t give yourself any more by working with a reluctant venue.
7. Make sure Your Target Audience influences Your Film & Venue Choice
For The Movie Mavericks, we often wanted people aged 20-25 to come and relax and watch short films. An unusual venue could attract new people and be part of your unique selling point. As a minimum, it will need to have toilet access and electricity, but that leaves you a lot of options! We have delivered films in alleys ways, disused shops and empty courtrooms.
Alternatively, you might want to work with a bar or community pub who might be happy to host the night for free if it brings in extra revenue on their bar. Think about who you want to bring to your screening.
For example, if it is for young families, then think about where the local baby groups are held. People will be more willing to risk an alternative film choice if they are in a space they are already comfortable.
8. Pair the Film with the Venue Choice
The venue and film can also be influenced by each other. For example, when we screened short films featuring love stories of people with learning disabilities from Oskar Bright Film Festival, we worked with community arts café Cultural Squatters. The venue embodied a relaxed atmosphere with comfortable chairs and accessible toilets and a lift.
Film nights can sometimes reach audiences that don’t feel comfortable in cinema rooms. You can find out more about how to make cinema night accessible with the excellent charity Inclusive Cinema.
9. Down to the Brass Tax: Know your Licencing Fees
To screen and publicly advertise any feature-length film you will need to buy a licence from its distributor. The big Hollywood films’ leading provider is Film Bank Media, which charges roughly £150 per licence, with a £150 deposit.
Alternatively, you could approach local filmmakers and offer to screen work that they have made. Check out the final degree shows of local film universities and the programmes of short film festivals nearby. See something you like? Contact the filmmakers and ask to screen it.
10. Know Why You Want To Do It 
Take a little time to reflect on why you want to run this film night. It will help you to approach new volunteers, audiences and possible partners with a consistent message.
I found that cinema is something that anybody will go to, beyond the elitism of other cultural events. I loved working with my friends too attract a vast range of people to new venues and share a love of films.
Good luck and Have Fun!
Written by
Holly Norcop
