We just wanted to let you know that we have changed the way we book films. Unlike most cinemas we have always booked the programme in advance and published fixed dates for each film. The benefit was that you could look over the whole month and see what was on. The downside was that if a film was well received we couldn't keep it playing and if something last minute happened (eg. a director wanted to come and talk about the film) it would create havoc with our rigid scheduling. We are addressing this by introducing a degree of flexibility in the programme whereby we can respond to the popularity of particular titles.

Head of Progamme Mark Cosgrove says:

With open runs we are introducing a degree of flexibility in the programme whereby we can respond to the popularity of particular titles. This is not an exact science, and popularity alone will not dictate the diversity of films that we offer. The question for me is how do we keep popular films on so that audiences can catch up with them whilst maintaining the widest selection of films to choose from.

Your questions answered about these changes:

• When are the film times announced?
  Every Wednesday a weekly print-out calendar will be available with the confirmed times for the coming week (Fri to Thu) from Watershed or you can call Box Office on (0117) 927 5100. The online calendar at watershed.co.uk/calendar will also be updated.
• What are open runs?
  At the moment we have fixed run bookings - this means if we book a film for two weeks we can show it for only two weeks. Open runs will give us the flexibility to adapt the programme according to demand. This will allow us, for instance, to accommodate longer runs of popular films you may otherwise miss.
• What impact will this change have?
  The main impact is that the printed monthly calendar and brochure has to change. Instead of publishing a calendar inthe brochure with all the times on it we will simply publish a calendar with the starting dates and initial runs of the films on it and all the one off events and screenings.
• What about one off screenings, events and talks?
  All one off screenings, events, festivals and talks will still have their times confirmed and published in the printed brochure next to their copy, and tickets will be on sale from as soon as events are confirmed.
• What replaces the existing printed calendar?
  A weekly handout will replace the existing printed calendar. It will have all the confirmed times for the following week's programme. The website calendar will still have as many confirmed times of screenings as possible on it. 
• Will I still be able to book in advance?
  Yes - new films will have their first week's screening times confirmed, and on sale. Every Wednesday the coming week's programme (Fri-Thu) will be available to book. Opening films will be available to book for their first week from the beginning of the month, as usual.
• Will the diversity of the programme be compromised?
  Absolutely not. This new system will not have any impact on our cinema programme in relation to the choice and diversity of films and events. It simply enables us to be more responsive to demand.

This new format should allow us more flexibility and you more choice. Let us know what you think and if you have any suggestions or further questions please don't hesitate to contact us at: communications@watershed.co.uk.

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