Here at LMFF, we have three passions—adventure, community, and the independent film industry! At Community Cinemas, all three combine, so we get excited about collaborating with them.

Several community cinemas and their local supporters or film clubs have taken advantage of our Community Pass, and we wanted to explore the broader importance of the community cinema movement.

Why are Community Cinemas so important?

The rise of multiplex cinemas may be ending. Still, in the late 20th century, they brought blockbusters and big-screen entertainment to the masses.

But this shift came at a cost. Across the UK, traditional independent cinemas have all but disappeared, unable to compete with the multiplex model, which prioritises profit over accessibility.

Rural areas and smaller towns, where large commercial ventures can't thrive, are left without cinemas altogether, cutting residents off from cultural experiences and social connection, which came up in our podcast Kathryn, who runs the Long Ashton Community Event.

Today, this legacy is evident nationwide. Vast swathes of the UK have no access to commercial cinemas, leaving many communities reliant on long, impractical journeys to enjoy a night at the movies. The multiplex's focus on areas of high population density and young, affluent audiences has left rural and less wealthy regions behind.

Community cinemas can fill this gap by showing a range of films that the large multiplexes can't or will not. Mainstream cinemas have an inbuilt reliance on blockbusters to make their economics work, and this is an opportunity cultural spaces and independent cinema can exploit.

Ironically, advances in digital technology are at the core of enabling the grassroots cinema movement to breathe life back into underserved areas, fill a cultural gap, and create a sense of community.

Across the UK, the growth of community cinemas is remarkable. From village halls to church spaces, local groups are stepping up to fill the void.

Take Fife in Scotland, where five community cinemas have launched in recent years, including one that reopened the historic Regent cinema in Leven.

From Physical to Digital: A New Age of Film Access

With recent advances, the technology needed for high-quality screenings is now more affordable and accessible than ever. 4K and UHD projectors now typically cost less than £4,000, and decent full HD projectors are below £1,000. These prices will only drop, driven by sharp competition in the home cinema market.

The other hardware advance is in wireless speakers, whose sound quality and range, driven by innovation at brands like Sonos and Denon, mean you no longer need long wires or heavy rigging to outfit a village hall or other community space for a cinema experience.

The last piece of the jigsaw is the fact that more and more films are now available digitally at high quality—as we have enabled with our community pass. In fact, a recent survey by Cinema For All revealed that while some community cinemas still rely on physical discs and players, 21% have transitioned to using downloadable links for screenings.

It shows how the digital trend is continuing and beyond the importance of being prepared for the growing reliance on digital formats. It opens new opportunities for communities and clubs to run film nights and establish community cinemas.

We believe these forces could combine to usher in a distributed cinema revolution.

Another option available to you, if you are utilising community spaces for your film screenings, is to explore hiring your equipment. This can dramatically reduce your initial costs when you start out on your community cinema journey.

If you're struggling with equipment access, hubs like those in Edinburgh and  Cumbria provide affordable solutions. Cinema For All can also help you find the resources you need to get started and ensure your cinema thrives.

The Cultural Mission of Community Cinemas

What is exciting about Community cinemas is that they aren't just about films; they're about people, bringing neighbours together to foster a sense of belonging and shared experience. These days, the chances are that wherever you live, there will be a community cinema near you.

This social and cultural mission resonates with our aim of delivering new audiences for independent adventure films and, as a result, creating a positive social impact.

Beyond this, community cinemas can be a lifeline by providing a sense of community. They can combat the isolation caused by the multiplex boom and the rise of streaming, offering cultural engagement and social connection in areas left behind by that commercial model.

In a time when many of us watch films alone on small screens, gathering together in a shared space to laugh, cry, and connect feels more powerful—and more necessary—than ever.

Starting a Sustainable Community Cinema

Starting a community cinema is surprisingly achievable. All it takes is a suitable venue, a small team of enthusiastic locals, and some initial funding to cover costs like hall hire and screening licences.

When exploring the development of community cinemas, it is important to distinguish between those based in permanent physical spaces and firm clubs and societies that run community cinema experiences in locally available community spaces.

Having spoken to individuals involved in both, we see that they share a passion for cinema. However, that passion alone will not make your community cinema sustainable. What quickly became clear, and it may sound obvious, is that your audience is the cornerstone of your community cinema.

Knowing and Growing Your Audience

Clubs and societies may have a slight advantage here as you already have an audience, as opposed to those community cinemas starting with an aspiration of reviving an old venue or looking to have a permanent residence.

Tip 1: Send out a quick survey to gauge interest and preferences. You could ask people for their top three films, favourite genres, actors, and the days and times that suit them best. This will help you plan and get your community excited and involved.

Tip 2: Get Social and create a presence on Facebook and Instagram (or whatever platforms your community uses most). Encourage potential members to like and follow your pages to stay updated on screenings and news.

Tip 3: Get physical: Involve local businesses, use them to distribute flyers, spread the word and form innovative partnerships which could create value for each other by cross-promoting or inviting them to, for example, sell or promote their local venture during your intermission.

Tip 4: Be different - Run Special events for your community:

Community cinemas often organise unique events, such as free outdoor screenings, to engage new audiences, show a wide range of films and remove barriers to participation. One such event was the outdoor screening of The Harder They Come in celebration of Jamaican Independence Day.

Although taking a hiatus, Screen25 successfully grew its audience engagement through various events, achieving an average attendance of 40 individuals per screening by connecting with local businesses to distribute flyers.

The Birmingham Film Co-op and Liverpool Radical Film Festival showcase social and political films through monthly events, fostering community engagement around relevant themes.

Community cinemas like the one in Forest Row provide unique experiences that differ from commercial cinemas by incorporating special events and memorable happenings that may overshadow the actual film screening.

Last year, our very own London Mountain Film Festival beamed adventure films into over 50 community events, each with its own unique flavour.

The Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers organises social functions, networking events, film screenings, and annual award presentations to celebrate the contributions of industry professionals in the Australian Motion Picture Industry.

Above all, engage your community through diverse programming that includes discussions on social issues, such as screenings that spark conversations on topics like mental health.

Tip 5: Utilise innovative locations—multiplexes can't do this, such as village fields—to increase access to cinema experiences and provide the community with educational and entertainment value.

Tip 6: Constant feedback - Your audience knows best

Use the fact that you bring an audience together regularly to collect feedback and listen to suggestions. People may not want to give this openly, so hand out questionnaires to allow for anonymous feedback. You often get more robust feedback this way.

Tip 7: Don't forget to Plan Your Payment Model

To be sustainable, you will need funds, which can be obtained through grants. However, at some point, you may want to become independent from this source of funding.

You should decide how to fund your screenings. A pay-per-view model or a subscription-based film club are common approaches. Most community cinemas charge between £3 and £5 per ticket. Keep in mind the costs of licensing, venue hire, and equipment.

Most importantly, don't assume you can rely on a full house every time to break even.

Organisations like Cinema For All provide guidance, equipment hire, and support in navigating grants, ensuring new ventures get off the ground. Within 18 months, most community cinemas are fully equipped and self-sustaining, supported by membership schemes and ticket sales.

Building Resilience into Your Community Cinema

Have a great name. A local reference can work wonders in making people feel like they are part of your cinema or club. Keep it simple, memorable, and relatable.

Many Community Cinemas fail because founding or organising members don't have the time to keep the energy going. So it is vital to build regular recruitment for your organising committee so you can share the load, and the group—not one individual—provides that drive and energy.

Whatever the genesis of your drive to create a thriving community cinema that will bring the magic of the big screen to your local area, you must activate audience development projects and ensure you meet your audience's expectations.

Above all, our conversations made clear that one key aspect you should never undersell is the sense of community provided by your initiative, and you should look to make this part of every programme you run.

Understanding Where to Source Films

Before you start sourcing films, you will probably need a screening licence. This will vary in complexity depending on where you are in the world. However, it is an important consideration for your venture as it may incur a cost depending on the size of your audience and the venue.

In the UK, for example, You'll need a licence to show films to the public. The British Federation of Film Societies (BFFS), Filmbankmedia, or Open Cinema can help you navigate this process, often simplifying it for a small monthly fee.

If you are screening in a venue like a community space, village hall, or pub, they may already have licences—something that can save you time and money if you are not looking to have a permanent physical space.

Your region may have dispensations for grassroots cinema, but knowing where you stand is essential.

Distributors are increasingly building solutions for community cinemas. We encourage you to visit https://cinemaforall.org.uk, which has a lot of helpful information.

Other useful sources for mainstream films are:

Filmbank media Single Title Licencing

Motion Picture Licencing Company Single Title Licencing

You can contact independent adventure filmmakers directly. Our filmography has links to many filmmakers who have featured in our previous festival editions.

Join Us in Embracing the Cultural and Social Mission

Community cinemas serve as grassroots gathering places facilitating discussions on art and social issues, fostering community engagement and dialogue.

Community cinemas play a vital role in presenting diverse films, including those from emerging filmmakers, and emphasise creativity over commercial viability, enriching the cultural fabric of their communities.

These cinemas often invite filmmakers for discussions, enhancing the interaction between the film community and audiences and thus creating a closer connection—this is something we encourage as part of the London Mountain Film Festival.

Community cinemas serve as grassroots gathering places that facilitate discussions on art and social issues, fostering community engagement and dialogue.

They can provide educational and cultural benefits. They serve as venues for screenings of niche and independent films, fostering greater knowledge and appreciation for cinema among locals.

Building a Global Cinema Movement

The amazing thing about grassroots cinema, in the form of community cinemas, is that it is a global trend that is solving problems all around the world.

Community cinemas in Nigeria are becoming vital platforms for addressing mental health conversations and engaging local audiences in meaningful discussions. Where independent ventures like Viewmax have initiated community cinema licensing programs to empower entrepreneurs to convert communal spaces into cinemas with essential screening equipment.

In Kelantan, Malaysia, they aim to provide essential spaces for knowledge, entertainment, and education, addressing previous barriers to cinema access in the region.

They are also being delivered in innovative and diverse formats, such as mobile cinema screens in India or screenings in local garages in Pakistan.

The initiative of community cinemas can lead to greater government support for local entertainment and film sector development, something that has happened in Nigeria.

Films are More Enjoyable in Your Community

As humans, we are better together. Social gatherings matter. The community cinema scene demonstrates a growing nostalgia for shared cinematic experiences despite the accessibility to film delivered by streaming services.

It reinforces something we strongly believe in: We are social animals, and we don't mean in the digital sense. True connections happen in physical spaces. So, if you are thinking of creating a community cinema, do it!

#CommunityCinema #CommunityAdventure #CommunityEvent #CommunityFundraising