19 January 2026 -
02 February 2026

REACH: Strategic Audience Development 2026 – Open Sessions

10.30 to 12noon

Online

Learn key principles behind developing audiences for your organisation with a new series of webinars from BFI FAN.

 

Hear from experts at Hyde Park Picture House, Shakespeare’s Globe and  Picturehouse Cinemas, as they delve into fundamental tools and strategies for growing and diversifying audiences

The webinars are available to all BFI FAN members across the UK, and will open up REACH: Strategic Audience Development (a 6-month training programme for audience development professionals) to a larger group to explore three core areas:

  • Memberships for independent cinemas -with Ollie Jenkins (Marketing & Communications Manager, Hyde Park Picture House) and Sam Clements (Head of Marketing & Membership, Picturehouse Cinemas)
  • Building and retaining new audiences – with Hardish Vick (Audience Development Consultant)
  • Using the right social media platform for you – with Florence Bell (Social Media Manager, Shakespeare’s Globe)

Registration for all three webinars is open now. Learn more and save by booking all three for only £25, or book individual sessions for £10 each!

The REACH: Strategic Audience Development open webinars are for all BFI FAN members from across the UK. Not a member? It’s free and easy to join.

REACH was created by the ICO and is funded by the BFI Film Audience Network. 

Webinar Details


Memberships for independent cinemas
Monday 19 January, 10:30 to 12:00

Ollie Jenkins (Marketing & Communications Manager, Hyde Park Picture House) and Sam Clements (Head of Marketing & Membership, Picturehouse Cinemas) will present two case studies of cinema membership schemes. They’ll discuss the different methods they have used to implement their programmes, as well as how they have succeeded in growing and maintaining their membership base.

Building and retaining new audiences
Monday 26 January, 10:30 to 12:00

Hardish Virk (Audience Development Consultant) will cover the fundamentals of building and retaining new audiences. Hardish will share some of the methods he has used to grow audiences across the country for various cultural organisations, and outline steps you can take to expand your reach within your local community.

Using the right social media platform for you
Monday 2 February, 10:30 to 12:00

For our final session, Florence Bell (Social Media Manager, Shakespeare’s Globe) will explore the world of social media for cinemas and cultural organisations. Florence will highlight which social media platforms have the strongest film communities and how your organisation can make the most of this. 

Fees and Bursaries

Each session costs £10 to attend. We are offering a discounted rate of £25 for a pass to attend all three sessions. You can register for all sessions now.

Bursary Support

If you would like to apply for additional support to attend (whether towards the cost of your fees, childcare or other) you may be eligible for a bursary from your local Film Hub.

Speakers

Hardish Virk – Audience Development Consultant

Hardish Virk began his career in the late 1980s as a DJ, visual artist, actor, director, writer and producer, working in theatre, dance, music, festivals, fashion shows and the club sector. Over the last 30 years he has been working with arts, cultural and heritage organisations in the UK and Europe on organisational and audience development. In addition to this he continues to facilitate training and workshops on audience development, cultural awareness and race equality. Hardish has written for arts and cultural magazines as well as authoring the book, ‘Spirits Message’ published in 2015. He is currently leading on a South Asian heritage project called, ‘Stories That Made Us’ as a curator, archivist and artist, which has led to exhibitions, talks, commissions and his latest exhibition, ‘Stories That Made Us – Roots, Resilience, Representation’ is currently on at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry.

Florence Bell – Social Media Manager, Shakespeare’s Globe

Florence is a social media specialist, focussing on organic social media for the arts and non-profit sectors. Currently she is Social Media Manager at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, working as the editorial and strategic lead on the organisation’s social media. Her previous work includes freelance social media strategy and audit work for high-profile third sector organisations, and leading on social media and video content for the Young Vic Theatre in London.

Ollie Jenkins -Marketing & Communications Manager, Hyde Park Picture House

Opened in 1914, HPPH is one of the UK’s oldest cinemas, and screens the best new releases from around the world, alongside rep titles, accessible screenings, educational workshops and live special events. The cinema reopened last summer following a major redevelopment project, providing it with new accessible facilities including a second screen, cafe bar and community space.

Ollie looks after all aspects of HPPH’s communications – from social media and digital marketing, to brand development, print and press engagement. He also leads on the cinema’s audience development strategy, helping to grow the cinema’s audience to one that is more reflective and representative of its local community.

Sam Clements – Head of Marketing & Membership, Picturehouse Cinemas

Originally from Bristol, Sam completed a BA(Hons) Film Studies degree in Southampton before moving to London where he volunteered at the BFI London Film Festival. During the festival, he joined the front-of-house team at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton, later training to be a 35mm and digital projectionist at the venue.
Sam completed an internship under the Picturehouse Cinemas programming team whilst at the Ritzy and moved into the Picturehouse Marketing Department as an assistant. Sam progressed to Marketing Manager, working on digital communication strategy and in-cinema promotion. Sam is now Head of Marketing and Membership for Picturehouse Cinemas.
Sam won the Creative Skillset Rising Star Award at the 2014 Screen Awards and the Best Cinema Marketing Campaign at the 2015 & 2018 Screen Awards ceremonies. He also co-hosts the longest running cinema podcast in the world; ‘Picturehouse Podcast’ and the ‘90 Minutes Or Less Film Fest Podcast’ – a celebration of under 90 minute movies!
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