FILMSCOPE

Tell us a bit about your community cinema.

Filmscope is a community cinema based in the London Borough of Brent and we have been bringing communal film screenings to the general public, community groups, schools and those who are excluded from cinema due to accessibility needs. We showcase an eclectic range of films to have a wider appeal for our screenings ranging from action films, dramas, documentaries and musicals, as well as our dedicated D/deaf friendly accessible film screenings.

What project did you apply to Platform with?

We applied to bring accessible cinema screenings to the local D/deaf community partnering with Kiln Theatre cinema. The funding was used to hire BSL interpreters and marketing and outreach. We screened the documentary 'Name Me Lawand', a powerful film which follows a young Kurdish refugees journey learning sign language and his families fight to remain in the uk. The film was followed by a Q&A from one of the film's producers Sam Arnold who is D/deaf about the challenges and rewards of working on the film.

How did Platform help support your community cinema?

We had three consultations with the Cinema for All, at the start, midpoint and after the screenings. The sessions helped in planning the project by breaking down the key stages. Having this blueprint definitely made for a smooth running of the event and preparation of marketing materials, especially the ones in sign language. It was good to run over our ideas with Cinema For All and have a realistic plan of what we could deliver and reach as many of our target audience. The screening was a success with 72 audience members attending.

How has your community cinema impacted your community?

In the past year and a half we have screened four D/deaf friendly screenings and the one we did with platform funds was the most successful in terms of audience numbers and scale, and has really given us an opportunity to find a larger venue in terms of Kiln Theatre. One of the most impactful outcomes from the 'Name me Lawand' screening was meeting local teacher of the Deaf Leanne Chorekdjian at the event. She has invited us to run our stop-motion animation workshops for the Deaf children she teaches.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for Cinema For All coaching?

As mentioned earlier the consultations were very useful when planning the project events. When filling out your application, be specific about what you hope to gain from the coaching and how you plan to implement the advice and strategies you'll receive. Setting realistic and achievable goals will show that you have a practical approach.

Tell us what community cinema means to you.

For us a community cinema represents more than just a place to watch films; it is a vibrant hub of cultural and social engagement. It fosters a sense of togetherness by bringing people from the community together to share cinematic experiences.