42 events for cinema owners, programmers and technicians in United Kingdom: exhibitor meetings, trade shows, film markets, festivals with industry programmes and training — with dates where the organiser has published them.
42 events shown
30 June 2026 – 2 December 2026 · Nottingham, United Kingdom
Six-month course for cinema and festival marketers. It opens with two in-person days in Nottingham, runs four online sessions and closes with two in-person days in Liverpool on 1-2 December 2026. It covers audience data, branding and retention, and is open to BFI FAN members.
Awards, training and educationIndependent Cinema Office with Indigo, funded by BFI FANOfficial site
24 September 2026 – 26 November 2026 · United Kingdom · Online
Annual series of free online sessions for exhibitor members. The 2026 topics are building events into a film programme, cinema branding, and creating safe spaces when screening difficult subjects.
Online and webinarsFilm Hub South East (Independent Cinema Office)Official site
29 September 2026 · United Kingdom · Online
Interactive online meeting for cinema marketing and audience-development staff, with guest speakers from Watershed and BFI National Seasons, on campaigns and events.
Online and webinarsFilm Hub South West (Watershed)Official site
2 October 2026 · United Kingdom · Online
Annual awards for volunteer-led film societies and community cinemas, in categories for programming, marketing, access, green practice and emerging groups. The 2026 ceremony is live-streamed at 12pm on 2 October.
Awards, training and educationCinema For AllOfficial site
7 October 2026 – 18 October 2026 · London, United Kingdom
Umbrella for the LFF's professional activity: press and industry screenings, talks and networking, plus an LFF Expanded Industry Day. Programmers and bookers can catch awards-season and UK-release titles early.
Festivals with industry programmesBFIOfficial site
26 October 2026 · Cambridge, United Kingdom
Film Hub South East's free roundtable for regional festival organisers, held within Cambridge Film Festival's Industry Day, which also has a state-of-the-industry panel. Attendees get festival accreditation.
Festivals with industry programmesCambridge Film Festival / Film Hub South East (ICO)Official site
4 November 2026 · Bristol, United Kingdom
Annual day for South West exhibitors to review the year, raise challenges and shape the hub's priorities. The 2026 edition opens with a preview screening from Curzon.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub South West (Watershed)Official site
13 November 2026 – 22 November 2026 · Sheffield, United Kingdom
Previews of upcoming releases for independent exhibitors, in person in Sheffield on 14-15 November with an Audience Development Day on 13 November, then online 16-22 November. Programmers see films before booking them and compare notes with peers.
Film marketsIndependent Cinema OfficeOfficial site
2 December 2026 · Bristol, United Kingdom
Launch and ideas day, in Bristol and online, for Sound of Cinema, BFI FAN's UK-wide season for May-October 2027 marking the centenary of synchronised sound. Exhibitors can plan activity and funding applications for the season.
Independent and art houseBFI Film Audience NetworkOfficial site
6 December 2026 · London, United Kingdom
Award for UK cinemas at the heart of their communities, supported by Kia. Audiences vote for the longlist (nominees announced 3 November) and a jury picks the winner at the BIFA ceremony on 6 December 2026. Entry is free and raises a venue's profile.
Awards, training and educationBritish Independent Film AwardsOfficial site
27 January 2027 – 29 January 2027 · Bradford, United Kingdom
Specialised Screening Days showcasing archive and repertory titles available to cinemas: online on 27 January and in person in Bradford on 29 January 2027. For programmers building classic and heritage strands.
Film marketsIndependent Cinema OfficeOfficial site
24 February 2027 – 7 March 2027 · Glasgow, United Kingdom
Glasgow Film Festival runs 24 February-7 March 2027. Its Industry Focus conference strand, which ran over five days in 2026, covers film and TV and has included exhibition speakers. It hosts Film Hub Scotland's Exhibitors' Day.
Festivals with industry programmesGlasgow Film FestivalOfficial site
26 February 2027 – 7 March 2027 · London, United Kingdom
Spring edition of the ICO's national preview event: an Audience Development Day on 26 February, screenings at BFI Southbank on 27-28 February, then online 1-7 March 2027. The ICO calls it a staple of the independent cinema calendar for programmers outside London.
Film marketsIndependent Cinema OfficeOfficial site
9 June 2027 – 14 June 2027 · Sheffield, United Kingdom
Leading documentary festival and market. The 2027 edition runs 9-14 June, with Marketplace activity on 10-12 June. The industry pass gives access to the DocPlayer video library, delegate lists and sessions, which is useful for programmers booking documentaries.
Festivals with industry programmesSheffield DocFestOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually September, every two years (2024 Belfast, 2026 Newcastle) · last held 7 September 2026 · Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
UK-wide conference for the 1,900+ exhibitor members of the BFI Film Audience Network, with case studies, workshops and panels on audiences, data, green cinema, marketing, AI and funding. It brings together cinemas, festivals and community exhibitors from every Film Hub.
Independent and art houseBFI Film Audience Network (delivered with the Independent Cinema Office)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually Several per year · last held 29 June 2026 · United Kingdom · Online
Online equality, diversity and inclusion sessions for exhibitors, covering accessible screenings, community partnerships and relaxed screenings. Many are available afterwards as watch-backs.
Online and webinarsBFI Film Audience Network / Film HubsOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Several per year · last held 11 March 2026 · United Kingdom · Online
Online series on environmental sustainability for UK exhibitors, with past sessions on community energy and retrofit fundraising. Aimed at operators trying to cut energy costs and emissions.
Online and webinarsBFI Film Audience Network (delivered by Film Hub North)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually Periodic · last held 14 August 2026 · United Kingdom · Online
Informal online meet-ups for community cinema and film society members to share questions and news with the national support body.
Online and webinarsCinema For AllOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually First edition September 2026 · last held 15 September 2026 · United Kingdom · Online
Online advance screenings of upcoming Booking Scheme titles for community cinemas, ending with an online programming catch-up. Passes cost £10 for members and £20 for non-members.
Film marketsCinema For AllOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Spring and autumn · last held 12 April 2026 · Dorchester, United Kingdom
Regional viewing days where film societies across South West England watch and score new releases together to guide their programming. The 90th session in April 2026 marked the group's 50th anniversary.
Independent and art houseCinema For All South West Regional GroupOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually July, during Cinema Rediscovered · last held 22 July 2026 · Bristol, United Kingdom
Professional day within Bristol's repertory and archive film festival, where exhibitors, distributors and restorers discuss the growth of rep cinema and preview upcoming re-releases. It links to a UK and Ireland touring programme.
Festivals with industry programmesCinema Rediscovered (Watershed) with BFI FANOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Periodic; last run June 2025 · last held 24 June 2025 · London, United Kingdom
One-day practical course for cinema staff on picture and sound quality, screen-brightness measurement, DCP naming, KDMs, accessibility kit, theatre management systems and satellite event-cinema reception.
Technical and projectionCinema Technology CommunityOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually November-December (last run 2025) · last held 4 November 2025 · United Kingdom · Online
Short online course on building sponsorship and corporate partnerships for cinemas and film festivals, with speakers from TIFF and Sheffield DocFest. It helps venues bring in non-box-office income.
Awards, training and educationIndependent Cinema Office / BFI FANOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually August, annually · last held 13 August 2026 · Edinburgh, United Kingdom
The UK's longest-running film festival, with a daily industry programme of talks, sessions and networking during the festival week. Relevant to programmers scouting independent titles.
Festivals with industry programmesEdinburgh International Film FestivalOfficial site
Next dates not announced · last held 27 August 2026 · Glasgow, United Kingdom
Free evening discussion on the future of film exhibition in Glasgow, with presentations from local programmers and screening organisations.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub Scotland with Creative GlasgowOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually May, during Flatpack Festival · last held 15 May 2025 · Birmingham, United Kingdom
Film Hub Midlands' yearly get-together for exhibitors, held during Birmingham's Flatpack Festival, for sharing ideas on bringing audiences to the big screen. The hub says it has run for nearly a decade.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub MidlandsOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Several per year · last held 15 July 2026 · London, United Kingdom
Morning networking and presentation sessions for London cinemas, festivals, film clubs and exhibition freelancers, covering sector news, funding and audience topics. The most recent was held on a boat venue in Canary Wharf.
Independent and art houseFilm London (Film Hub London)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually Periodic (spring) · last held 26 March 2025 · Nottingham, United Kingdom
Free meet-ups where Midlands exhibitors hear about funding and supported projects and share approaches with peers. Past venues include Broadway Nottingham and MAC Birmingham.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub MidlandsOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Several per year in different Northern cities · last held 14 July 2026 · Hull, United Kingdom
Free regional days for exhibitors across the North of England, with member presentations, marketing and audience workshops, and networking. Recent editions were in Bradford (October 2025) and Hull (July 2026), with travel bursaries available.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub NorthOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Early March, during Glasgow Film Festival · last held 4 March 2026 · Glasgow, United Kingdom
Film Hub Scotland's free annual gathering for member exhibitors, held within Glasgow Film Festival's Industry Focus, with panels, skills sessions, a distributor slate presentation and networking.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub ScotlandOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Late October / early November, during Discovery Film Festival · last held 30 October 2024 · Dundee, United Kingdom
Day of workshops, talks and networking for Scottish exhibitors who work with young audiences or want to start, held during Dundee's Discovery Film Festival for children and young people.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub ScotlandOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually February, annually · last held 10 February 2026 · London, United Kingdom
Annual one-day forum for exhibitors in South East England, with peer case studies, a UK box-office review, BFI FAN funding updates and networking. The 2026 edition was the sixth.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub South East (Independent Cinema Office)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually Last Thursday of every month · last held 24 September 2026 · United Kingdom · Online
Monthly online sessions for South West exhibitor members, covering funding updates, programming, access and upcoming titles, plus peer problem-solving.
Online and webinarsFilm Hub South West (Watershed)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually September, annually · last held 23 September 2026 · London, United Kingdom
Exhibitor-only event where around 30 UK distributors present upcoming theatrical slates and marketing plans on day one. Day two has 1:1 speed meetings with distributors. It is open to members of every BFI FAN hub.
Film marketsFilm London (Film Hub London)Official site
Next dates not announced · usually March, annually · United Kingdom
Film Hub Wales' annual spring get-together for exhibitors across Wales, with short interactive sessions and a briefing on funds available to members in the coming year. Open to members only.
Independent and art houseFilm Hub WalesOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually July or September, annually · last held 8 July 2026 · Derby, United Kingdom
Hybrid Screening Days focused on inclusive programming and diverse audiences. The 2026 edition ran online and at Derby QUAD, and the 2025 edition was at MAC Birmingham. Useful for programmers and audience-development staff widening who their cinema serves.
Film marketsIndependent Cinema OfficeOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Several per year · last held 16 June 2026 · United Kingdom · Online
Online talks for festival and cinema programmers run through the ICO's paid International Film Festival Network. Recent sessions covered data-driven programming (June 2026) and building a festival brand (December 2025).
Online and webinarsIndependent Cinema OfficeOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually July (last held 2025) · last held 9 July 2025 · Manchester, United Kingdom
Screening Days themed around films and programming for children, families and young people, last held at HOME in Manchester. For cinemas building youth and family audiences.
Film marketsIndependent Cinema OfficeOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Autumn start, six-month programme; open webinars in January · last held 29 September 2025 · London, United Kingdom
Six-month programme in which cinema and festival staff run a real audience-development project at their own venue with expert support. It was supplemented in January 2026 by paid open webinars on memberships, audience retention and social media.
Awards, training and educationIndependent Cinema Office / BFI FANOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually Summer (open webinars); 12-month programme · last held 25 June 2025 · United Kingdom · Online
BFI FAN training for cinema leaders on financial planning, public and private fundraising, and funding capital developments. The 12-month programme was opened up through three paid webinars in 2025.
Awards, training and educationIndependent Cinema Office / BFI FANOfficial site
Next dates not announced · usually May, annually · last held 12 May 2026 · London, United Kingdom
Two-day conference of the UK's national cinema trade body, covering programming, marketing, retail and technology; the 2026 theme was growing audiences. The main annual gathering for UK cinema operators of every size, with suppliers and distributors in the room.
Exhibitor associationsUK Cinema AssociationOfficial siteFull guide
Next dates not announced · usually January, annually (since 2013) · last held 13 January 2026 · Bangor / Neath, United Kingdom
Preview screenings of upcoming Welsh-made, Welsh-language and Welsh archive releases, held for Film Hub members, with booking information packs. Film Hub Wales can also help fund minimum guarantees and marketing.
Film marketsFilm Hub WalesOfficial site