BFI Film Audience Network

The BFI Film Audience Network (BFI FAN) aims to provide increased access to a broader range of UK and international film and screen culture.

It is a collaboration of eight UK film hubs, managed by leading film organisations and venues. They use National Lottery funding to:

• develop audiences
• widen choice for communities across the UK
• support the independent cinema exhibition sector by enhancing skills and sharing best practice

FAN has over 1,800 members, including:

• cinemas
• festivals
• multi-arts venues
• community cinemas
• film archives

Members can access project funding for audience activity as well as benefiting from events and skills programmes, including:

• conferences
• seminars
• training courses

They enjoy exclusive access to regular analysis of the current market for independent films, and newsletters highlighting forthcoming new releases.

Joining BFI FAN also offers organisations the chance to take part in exciting, UK-wide cultural moments by accessing:

• project funds
• publicity and marketing support

In 2026 FAN exhibitors all over the UK are offering screenings and events as part of Rip it Up, a season of film and TV celebrating UK youth culture over the last 75 years.

To take advantage of the benefits of membership or to find out more, please contact your local film hub. You can also follow them on social media and make sure to check out the BFI FAN website which is managed by Film Hub South East or @FAN_BiggerPict for news, opportunities and inspiration.

Film hubs are supportive centres of expertise that:

• connect cinemas, festivals and creative practitioners
• develop audiences
• deploy BFI National Lottery funding in support of Screen Culture 2033, the BFI’s 10-year strategic plan

Resulting from this strategy, film hubs will be focusing in particular on developing activity and building audiences in selected locations where there is currently limited access to a wider range of films – generally in partnership with locally based organisations. 

For the period 2026 to 2029, these locations are: 

• Film Hub London: Redbridge & Enfield (previous Spotlight area of Barking & Dagenham will also continue for a further year)  
• Film Hub Midlands: Ashfield, Bolsover, Chesterfield and Mansfield, in partnership with Flatpack Festival 
• Film Hub North: Hull, in partnership with Hull Independent Cinema, plus Blackburn with Darwen, Rochdale and Oldham 
• Film Hub Northern Ireland: Derry/Londonderry and surrounds, in partnership with Nerve Centre 
• Film Hub Scotland: Fife & Clackmannanshire, in partnership with OnFife 
• Film Hub South East: Luton 
• Film Hub South West: Cornwall with a focus on the East, North and Camborne, in partnership with Creative Kernow 
• Film Hub Wales: South West Wales, in partnership with WOW 

If you are working to develop film audiences in one of these places and want to find out more, please contact the relevant hub.

Each film hub in England is also home to at least one BFI NETWORK talent executive dedicated to working with early career filmmaking talent in the region, alongside executives in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

BFI NETWORK, supported by BFI National Lottery funding, aims to:

• support talented screenwriters, directors and producers
• provide short film funding
• support the development of first features
• support a range of professional and creative development programmes
• provide community-building and networking support