Exhibitors Area
PROGRAMMING STATEMENT & PROCESS
Escapes will curate a film selection based on the theme of escapism, encompassing diverse genres and narratives that transport the audience to different worlds, times, or use visually captivating storytelling. This will include films that tell distinctive stories which may reflect people's lives and social themes across the UK and beyond but we will prioritise those which lean towards positive, optimism and escapism.
Our programme will be predominantly feature film previews. The selection could encompass a broad spectrum of films, including foreign language, documentaries, and adult-oriented animation. Priority will be given to films which support British filmmaking talent and demonstrate potential to engage diverse and underrepresented audiences, aligning with the goals of the BFI Diversity Standards. Moreover, our curated films will showcase a diversity of on-screen portrayals.Titles will need to demonstrate mass appeal potential to priority audiences via talent, subject or theme.
Current priority audience is 25-44 C2D, non London and SE as they are most likely see price as a barrier to independent cinema and are least likely to be currently engaging in traditional cinema comms nationally.
Selected films will be non-franchise, offering unique cinematic experiences beyond the mainstream, with the potential to attract a wide UK audience. This will be achieved through strategic marketing and audience engagement.
Priority will also be given to UK based Independent distributors over multinational studios.
Furthermore, all films must:
Our programme will be predominantly feature film previews. The selection could encompass a broad spectrum of films, including foreign language, documentaries, and adult-oriented animation. Priority will be given to films which support British filmmaking talent and demonstrate potential to engage diverse and underrepresented audiences, aligning with the goals of the BFI Diversity Standards. Moreover, our curated films will showcase a diversity of on-screen portrayals.Titles will need to demonstrate mass appeal potential to priority audiences via talent, subject or theme.
Current priority audience is 25-44 C2D, non London and SE as they are most likely see price as a barrier to independent cinema and are least likely to be currently engaging in traditional cinema comms nationally.
Selected films will be non-franchise, offering unique cinematic experiences beyond the mainstream, with the potential to attract a wide UK audience. This will be achieved through strategic marketing and audience engagement.
Priority will also be given to UK based Independent distributors over multinational studios.
Furthermore, all films must:
- Have audio description and descriptive subtitles available
- Have minimum of 30 days from their Escapes screening to any form of home entertainment release or broadcast.
- Be planning a wider theatrical release of at least 10 screens.
- Have official DCP format and BBFC approval.
- Be released on the same date in all British territories.
Films will be scored based on this criteria in dialogue with rights holders.
Any film can be submitted via Escapes: Film Submissions Form.
This process ensures the Escapes team are aware of all potential releases and all rights holders can receive clear and consistent feedback on suitability of titles.
Escapes team are currently programming films for the coming months. Email David Kapur for more information - david.kapur@elevenfiftyfive.com
TERMS & CONDITIONS
By signing up to Escapes you are committing to:
- Providing a dedicated point of contact for Escapes. This person would ideally also be responsible for hosting Escapes screenings, ideally with an in person pre-screening intro to encourage audiences to sign up to your cinema comms.
- A commitment to the first 10 Escapes screenings (in an evening slot, likely to be held on a Monday), spread across a twelve month period. This is to ensure that the impact of the project on audience development in your venue can be accurately measured with the data collected.
- The screen available to host the Escapes screening must have DCP Projection and be as close to 120 seat capacity as possible.
- A commitment to meeting accessibility requirements set out by BFI & Escapes, including screening the film with closed captions and HOH version where available.
- A desire to engage with and develop new audiences, including providing incentives for return visits (e.g discounted tickets or F&B), and encouraging newsletter and social media sign ups etc.
- Having suitable and robust safeguarding procedures in place for any interaction with children, young people and vulnerable adults
- Working with Cinematik to deliver the ticketing, scheduling, marketing and data management for the Escapes project.