Cinemas and film exhibitors from across the UK come together to connect, discover leading BFI FAN projects, and find new ways to engage diverse audiences.
The second BFI FAN CON will take place in Newcastle upon Tyne at the Tyneside Cinema. Join us for two inspiring days designed to help you connect with colleagues, learn from peers behind some of the most innovative BFI FAN projects, and discover fresh ideas for reaching and engaging audiences. Hear from sector experts and leading practitioners from beyond the world of film, all while experiencing the vibrant city of Newcastle – with a landmark independent cinema as your base.
The conference will open on Monday 7 September with a special screening, followed by two full days of sessions and workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday. Highlights include a conference dinner on Tuesday evening and additional social activities on Wednesday night, offering plenty opportunities to meet new people and build your network.
BFI FAN CON is for all types of FAN exhibitors, from small community cinemas and touring collectives to large multi-screen independent cinemas and landmark film festivals. The event is for anyone working or volunteering in any film exhibition role at a FAN member organisation and at any level of their careers. If you’re passionate about your work in film exhibition, we hope you’ll join us at BFI FAN CON!
BFI FAN CON 2026
Monday 7 - Wednesday 9 September
Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle
More information
Film Hub North may be able to offer you a Training and Professional Development bursary to help with ticket, travel and other costs associated with attending BFI FAN CON. Find out more
here.
Sessions announced so far
Work smarter, not harder: Making the most of your precious data
Data analytics can feel intimidating, but using the information available to us can help us to understand audience behaviour and habits. Watershed, alongside a series of case studies, will suggest ways we can make smart data-driven decisions across programming, scheduling, and marketing to set us up for success.
Cinema without barriers: From local initiative to European standard
This session will look at ground-breaking, evidence-based work on accessibility from Europe, including The ZAMEK Cultural Centre’s project, which aimed to address accessibility needs in 8 regional towns in Poland and ended up influencing national access policies. We’ll hear from them on the challenges, successes and innovative approaches they used to build long-term change.
Sustainable screenings with the UK Green Film Network
This session explores how the UK Green Film Network works with independent cinemas to support the programming of environmental films and building successful screening events. They’ll offer ideas for nurturing the momentum around sustainability in film through ongoing audience development and connections with local interest groups.
Focus on community cinema
Skye Films and Leith Kino might fall on different sides of the rural/urban divide, but these two case studies will show how strong cultural programming, innovative approaches to eventising, marketing, building local partnerships and developing audiences have created two thriving community cinemas in very different locations.
How to reach new audiences with outdoor screenings, sponsored by Filmbankmedia
Feeling boxed in? Filmbankmedia’s panel will look at how showing films outdoors can help to reach everyone in your community, with case studies that cover essential logistical questions and the benefits of al fresco exhibition.
New Technologies and New Opportunities for Storytelling in Cinemas
As screen culture evolves, cinemas are finding new ways to bring video games, mixed reality projects and other technology-driven storytelling into their public programmes. This interactive session introduces Film Hub Midlands’ Broader Screen Content project, a resource gathering insights and practical recommendations for cinema exhibitors looking to understand, programme and present these emerging forms.
Knowledge Exchange Programmes for Underrepresented Future Film Workers
This session will showcase four case studies on the development and implementation of training programmes in film exhibition, specifically for those underrepresented in the sector.
A Practical Introduction to Film Education
A hands-on workshop led by Jen Skinner, Founder, Screen Argyll, Tiree, which will give the attendees an opportunity to take part in live film education activity, to learn best practise in this area.
Beyond the Binary: Building More Trans-Inclusive Exhibition Spaces
At a time when trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people are facing increasing hostility and exclusion, what role can exhibitors play in creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, respected and able to participate fully?
The Impact of the Escapes Initiative
A session that will look back on the first three years of Escapes and dive into the data from the programme.
Workshop: Using AI in Marketing
A workshop which will lead attendees through a selection of AI tools they can use to improve their marketing efficiency.
Holding Audiences with Care
How can exhibitors create the conditions for audiences to engage with challenging content while feeling informed, prepared and respected? Co-produced by Reclaim The Frame, this session considers how exhibitors can better care for audiences when presenting films that contain potentially distressing themes and scenes and can lead to hard post-screening conversations.
Engaging Audiences with Archive
A series of case studies highlighting organisations that have successfully engaged audiences with archive film in a non-traditional setting.
Workshop: Marketing on a Shoestring
Freelance Marketing Specialist Robin Baker will lead this workshop that help delegates create a marketing plan for their activity that they can deliver successfully with minimal spend.
Young Audiences Data Driven Insights
Gain fresh insights from the Audience Screen Engagement Tracker (ASET), revealing what young audiences are watching, their motivation for visiting the cinema, and their evolving attitudes and behaviours towards the big screen.
International Case Studies
Two inspirational case studies from pioneering European organisations that will provide a new outlook on what is possible for independent cinemas.
Co-creating with Local Partners
A selection of case studies that demonstrate different ways in which an organisation can work with local partners, or their wider team, to co-create their programme and the new opportunities that process opens up for developing audiences.
Programming for Your Community
A series of case studies that offer strong examples of best practise in engaging a local community through the films that you programme.
