Access for All booklet

Access for All

Film Hub Wales (FHW) is one of 9 Hubs UK wide that together form the ‘BFI Film Audience Network’. Chapter are the Film Hub Lead Organisation in Wales.

Since 2013, FHW has designed or worked with specialist partners to support 122 audience development projects, with the aim to increase access to film for diverse and hard to reach audiences across Wales.

Here are some of the accessible projects that FHW supports: Queer Film Network (QFN) – A growing network of film programmers supporting and promoting LGBTQIA+ films and tours.

Contact a Family Kite Mark – Mentoring to enable venues to deliver relaxed film screenings for families with children with disabilities and multi-sensory needs.

Young Programmers Network UK – Developing the next generation of film curators, providing opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds.

Valleys Cinema – Regular community film provision at Valleys Kids’ Soar Centres, Maesteg Town Hall and three satellite venues in Bridgend which combat loneliness and health issues.

Memo Art Centre’s Cine-Venture – Relaxed screenings with preand post-film activity for local audiences, with a range of sensory health needs.

Inside left - Opening Doors Diversity Day. Inside right - The Proud Valley Tour

Phoenix Ton Pentre’s Year of Welsh Film – A year-long programme of Welsh cinema for the recently relaunched community cinema.

BFI Black Star – Together with venues across Welsh communities, Film Hub Wales toured remastered 1940s classic, The Proud Valley, celebrating civil rights activist Paul Robeson.

Cymryd Rhan’s Do-It Film Network – Bringing cinema to the underserved communities across Flintshire, exploring themes of disability, ignorance and community cohesion.

Ffilm Harlech Film – Year-long programme to support hard-to-reach audiences affected by Pont Briwet Bridge closure, specifically for over 50s, young people and audiences with disabilities.

Dementia Awareness – A pilot project with Chapter, Pontio and Clwyd Theatr Cymru to support audience members, their families and carers living with dementia, including research and resources.

WOW Women’s Film Club – Supporting BME communities across South Wales to watch and debate film. It has also become a popular social hub, providing a space for women to meet and get to know each other.

Iris Prize – In addition to our work with Iris and QFN, we supported Iris on the move! - two days and fourteen events, at Cineworld Llandudno Junction in North Wales, of LGBTQIA+ British and Welsh features and shorts.

Opening Doors Diversity Training – Two free sessions for exhibitors on welcoming audiences, from dementia and transgender awareness to isolated groups such as refugees and asylum seekers via WOW Women’s Film Club.

Images: Cover clockwise top left - Moonlight (Altitude Distribution), Valleys Cinema, WOW Women’s Film Club, Life, Animated (Dogwoof), Contact a Family

In 2017 we appointed two dedicated officers to develop our access work further: Ellie Russell, Chapter Dementia Project Officer Ellie delivers a year-round programme of dementia-friendly film screenings and supported events, both at Chapter and at venues across Wales.

Ellie.Russell@chapter.org

Toki Allison, BFI FAN Access Officer Toki is developing a pool of UK resources, links, case studies and guides for audiences with additional needs. Her long-term goal is to develop yearround events, training and national opportunities.

Toki@filmhubwales.org

“

My husband’s dementia has excluded us from many activities with the general public but with dementia screenings we feel safe enough to enjoy going to the cinema again. It has been liberating for us both as we cope with this isolating illness.

Attendee at a Chapter Dementia Friendly Screening

”

If you would like to find out more about the access work we do with venues, or would like to get involved, please contact us. www.filmhubwales.org | lisa@filmhubwales.org | 02920 311067 /filmhubwales

@filmhubwales