The BFI has opened applications from organisations wishing to take a leadership role in its newly-created “UK Audience Network”.

With an investment of up to £2.5m each year, the UK Audience Network forms a central part of the BFI”s new £22m Audience Fund to boost choices and bring new film experiences to UK audiences.

The UK-wide Network will consist of up to ten ‘Hubs” – bringing together organisations across different areas of the country to work together to bring a greater depth and breadth of film experiences to their local areas. Each Hub will be led by a Hub Lead Organisation “with experience in growing and developing audiences for specialised film, which can act as a cultural leader, facilitator and source of support to other Hub members.”

Commenting on the search for Hub leaders, BFI chief executive Amanda Nevill said: “This announcement marks the first exciting move towards increasing opportunities for film lovers right across the UK. We want to encourage everyone to enjoy a lifelong relationship with film, regardless of where they live. But the reality for so many in the UK is that they cannot access and enjoy the full richness and breadth of film and film culture on their doorstep – we want to change this. Our UK Audience Network, intrinsically linked to our comprehensive new film education offer for 5-19 year olds and our plans to bring film experiences to 1000 community venues, marks the beginning of a new joined up strategy.”

The BFI”s UK Audience Network aims to unite a range of partners potentially including all cinema exhibitors, film festivals, educators, film societies, community venues, broadcasters, libraries and others, to help bring diverse and engaging film experiences to as many people as possible. The BFI”s ambition is to ensure rich film experiences can be accessed by everyone across the UK.

Applications for Hub Lead Organisations are now open and stage one applications close at 2pm on Monday 17 December.

For further details, click here