•  What to expect 

Through a series of six short (two hour) online workshops, the Cinema Business Resilience Incubator will open a process for members to set new directions for their organisations and explore sustainable working practices. With input from leading professionals, these workshops will help reinforce and rethink your business resilience in the light of changing times – whilst preparing for future commercial and cultural success.  

Each workshop will include active participation and practical ideas so that those taking part will come away with something concrete; such as proposals for new products, a service model, a set of experimental ideas to test out within the framework of a business plan.  

Some time is required outside of the workshops too. This will be spent reflecting, researching, or developing ideas from the sessions. Peer work is encouraged and valued throughout and following the course including at least one in-person social gathering to share and expand knowledge between each other. 

The programme will culminate with an evaluation session to reflect on learning and development; incorporating a celebration. 

• Who is this for 

This programme is for individuals within organisations who are responsible for strategic business planning. You need to be a decision maker in your organisation (for example a CEO, Senior Manager, Head of Development, etc.) or someone in a leadership role who influences business planning and decisions. 

Those who participate should be working towards building firm financial foundations to keep our venues and film exhibition organisations thriving and able to respond to the bumps of everyday life, and the changing needs of our audiences. 

Ideally, you will already have an understanding of business development and delivery, and be in a position to expand on your skills and experience as part of a cohort of south west based peers. 

Above all, you will need to be able to commit to a process of reviewing your approach, setting your organisation new directions and exploring sustainable working practices.  

Note: this programme has been primarily designed with full-time independent cinemas and mixed art venues in mind, but other film exhibition organisations with a significant year-round public offer will also be considered. 

See below for details of our Taster Session which will give you an insight into the programme. 

• Level of Commitment 

Proposed dates for the programme are shared below. Final dates will be shared with successful applicants to best fit to the cohort’s availability. We require applicants to commit to attending the sessions as the success of the programme is reliant on engagement and peer-to-peer sharing.  

No session will be longer than 2 hours, mostly online and inclusive of a comfort break mid-way.  

Whilst we will ask all participants their preferred availability, we cannot guarantee we will be able to accommodate the specific times or dates you have asked for. 

There will also be some ‘homework’  set between sessions to prompt reflection and set the tone for the subsequent sessions. This off-line thinking and work will be vital to both get the most from sessions and to inform the final evaluation at the end of the course. 

We have limited spaces available (up to 7), so we ask that those applying to please consider if this aligns with their time and availability.  

Course Structure

• TASTER SESSION: Seeking future resilience: Adapting your current business for uncertain times, Tue 4 Oct 2022

A taster session to introduce you to the wider programme and help you discover new ways of building resilience at this challenging time for the film exhibition sector.

• Vision road mapping, w/c 7 Nov 2022

Practical steps to implement and change constitutions to work better for your business model. Understanding core values and presenting them to the wider world.

• Business models & income generation, w/c 5 Dec 2022

Practical ideas for expansion of existing offering and steps for implementation within the local/national/regional ecology.Looking at current business models, analysing income streams, assets, and skillsets.

• Managing finances & multiple income streams, w/c 9 Jan 2023

A look at basic cash flows and organising these to mitigate risk and (potential) adverse business conditions.

• Fundraising strategy,  w/c 23 Jan 2023 

Understanding what funding bodies are looking for and clarity on what your business needs from them. How to present to funders and secure commitment from them.

• Evaluation, w/c 6 Feb 2023 

A chance to reflect on your journey and feedback on your experience with your peers.

• How to apply 

The open call for applications closes on Fri 14 Oct 2022 at 5 pm. We have a limited number of places (up to 7) Successful applicants will be informed by Thu 20 Oct 2022. 

The criteria for selection will be: 

• Commitment – How committed are you to this programme? 
• Impact – What can you and your organisation get out of – and bring to – the programme? 
• Inclusion – Does your organisation align with BFI FAN’s commitment to inclusion and representation?  
• Geographic Spread – Ensuring there are organisations from a large spread of the south west represented  

Ahead of the deadline, if you have any questions or wish to discuss whether this programme is a good fit for you, please contact Film Hub Community Manager Neil Ramjee: filmhub@watershed.co.uk 

Application form