The BFI is committed to enabling the widest possible access to film culture across the UK and to support venues to recover, thrive and welcome audiences back safely. Tyneside Cinema is an historic cultural venue providing film programmes to underserved audiences in the North East of England, and we have been supporting the interim CEO to make the changes necessary to become a safe and welcoming place for staff, audiences and students.
We are continuously monitoring the progress made to date by Tyneside Cinema against the recommendations set out in the independent review into historic allegations of sexual abuse and harassment and are encouraged by the important steps taken so far to change its management, systems, procedures and culture.
As a funder of the venue the BFI liaises regularly with the team at Tyneside Cinema, and are supporting the recruitment of the new chair and board of trustees. We will continue to monitor progress made against the independent review’s recommendations as the venue reopens this summer, and will continue to work with the Tyneside Cinema team to help ensure that this progress remains on track as the venue becomes fully operational once more.
Read the statement from the BFI’s Head of UK Audiences, Ben Luxford, from 2 July 2020 when allegations initially emerged.
With UK industry partners, the BFI published guidance and principles to tackle and prevent bullying, harassment and racism in the screen industries. This includes organisations, cinemas/venues and productions.