Increasing access to Cinemas
I am also working in collaboration with the BFI Film
Audience Network (BFI FAN), led by Film Hub Wales and Chapter (as the Welsh Hub
Lead organization) to support accessible cinema for underserved audiences
across Wales and the UK.
In Wales, we brought together three venues (Chapter,
Pontio and Theatr Clwyd) with Film Hub Wales, Public Health Wales, and the
Alzheimer’s Society to develop a joint pilot of supportive screenings. The team are also supporting training of
cinema staff, so that cinemas and arts centres can become dementia friendly. So
far:
·
Over 100 cinema staff have
received dementia training by attending Dementia Friends Sessions
·
Film Hub Wales (Chapter
Arts, BFI) has run two diversity training days to support film venues across
Wales to diversify their audiences and make sure their screenings are welcoming
to community groups who don’t currently use their venue includes a session on
creating dementia friendly communities.
The Team
Ellie Russell,
Dementia Project Officer
Ellie’s role is to develop and deliver a year round
programme of dementia-friendly film screenings and supporting events, both at
Chapter and at venues across Wales. Ellie has a PhD in Psychological Medicine
and has worked as a Research Psychologist, Mental Health Coordinator and
Wellbeing Manager for various organisations. Ellie comments:
“I’m so excited to be working on this project, and to
have the opportunity to play a role in breaking down some of the barriers that
can prevent people with dementia leading full and rich lives. I believe that
cinema should be accessible to all, and that promoting inclusivity and
embracing diversity has the power to enrich the lives of everyone in
society. I’ve seen how isolating a dementia diagnosis can be, both for the
person living with dementia and for their families and friends, and I love the
way our screenings provide a relaxed, supportive and inclusive environment for
people to come together to enjoy some really fantastic films. I feel so
lucky to be working on the Dementia Project at Chapter, and can’t wait to
develop it even further.”
Toki Allison
Toki is the Film
Audience Network Access Officer hosted at Chapter on behalf of BFI FAN
by Film Hub Wales. Her role builds on a number of accessible schemes for venues and
audiences developed since 2013, including the establishment of the Queer Film Network UK, the Contact a Family
Kite Mark and Opening Doors, a training event
designed to support exhibitors with accessible screening models.
Toki whose background is in marketing, audience
development, film programming and event production, will develop a pool of UK
resources, links, case studies and guides for audiences with additional needs,
with long term goals to develop year-round events, training and national
opportunities. Toki comments on her appointment:
"Honestly, I can't imagine a better use of my
time than to be a cog in the process of making cinema accessible to anyone and
everyone. For me, films trace a path through my life, and some of the feelings
and connections I've had with characters and stories have had a true and deep
impact on me. I feel like everyone should have the chance to experience this
and, also, the entertainment and escapism that film can offer. Cinema should be
for everyone and making that a reality doesn't have to involve mammoth,
expensive changes for venues and staff – in many cases, it can simply come down
to better communication, and a few tweaks."
