11/04/2006

In the new report “"The Impact of Local Cinema", published by the UK Film Council, the British Film Institute and regional screen agencies EM Media and Film London, local cinemas are praised for the various benefits they offer to local communities, from a social, cultural, environmental and economic standpoint.

Aimed at exhibitors, local authorities, development agencies and all those interested in cinema and the vitality of smaller towns, the report includes in-depth case studies of five independent, locally owned and operated cinemas across the UK and simple “impact measurement tools” to help other venues and interested parties conduct similar research.

John Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council, said of the report: "Local cinema improves the quality of life for communities across the UK. The benefits, which can range from boosting the local economy to tackling social exclusion, from improving local culture to encouraging more people into the area, are often overlooked. There’s some fantastic work being done by local cinemas across the UK and this report recognizes that work and the resulting benefits it brings." Among the various UK FC projects aimed at expanding the range of films brought to audiences across the UK and improving the viewing opportunities for those who currently have limited access to film are the creation of a network of digital screens across the country, the first 50 of which are already installed, with a further 190 scheduled to be installed between now and spring 2007.