The BFI in London is categorized as a mini-major cinema institution in the UK, with 6 auditoriums showing films. Approximately 70% of films shown are independent productions from Europe distributed through festivals. While the BFI provides exposure for independent films, the smaller audience reached may not be financially beneficial compared to large conglomerate distributors. However, the BFI's focus on supporting independent cinema aligns with its non-profitable educational mission.

1. R E S E A R C H T A S K
Exhibition

2. Exhibition
 Exhibition is the final stage within the film industry
process. It occurs after the distribution and
marketing stage and holds the purpose of allowing
audiences an access platform in which to view newly
released films. The processes of exhibition include:
Theatrical Release, DVD release, television and
online. Exhibitors co-operate with distributors in
order to purchase film prints, and to produce as a
high a profit as possible from the films they release.

3. The Rex Cinema, Berkhamsted
How would you categorise this cinema?
 This is an Arthouse cinema, focusing their facilities “in a glorious 1938 art-deco proscenium”. Arthouse
cinema's are often independent and less successful in regards to the audience they attract and have the
capacity to cater for. Never the less, the main aims of Arthouse cinema are to portray films in an
unconventional manner in comparison to mainstream viewers, often focusing upon both the culture and art of
film, rather than aiming towards the creation of high profits and a high audience appeal, thus aiming to
provide a unique cinema experience. However, despite its nature this independent complex is regarded as
rather successful in regards to its appeal, stating to “sell out most nights”, revealing its popularity and success
amongst its niche market.
How many screens does it have?
 This complex only possesses one screen, however rather than aiming to cater to a great audience number, in
order to gain a large profit, this cinema values more the showcasing of their high quality film exhibition, with
the use of coherent sound systems and a single large high quality screen, with both film and artistic values.
What facilities does it have?
 In regards to the facilities, The Rex emphasises its catering for an atmospheric and comforting experience, that
is civilised and exciting. In regards to food, there is a wine list and snacks, however not consisting of
conventional items (such as hot dogs and popcorn). The seating is varied, and made with the aim for luxury
and comfort rather than, preserving size and expense. There are also candlelit tables, which can be used to
view films by guests.
Where is it located?
 The location of this Arthouse cinema is in Berkhamsted and the building itself holds a rather rich cultural
history, adding an artistically cultural appeal that more newly formed cinema complexes such as Cineworld
multiplex platforms lack, adopting a far more modernised feel.

4. What films it is showing over the next two weeks?

5. The Rex
Approximately what percentage of the films shown at this cinema are
independent/conglomerate?
 The majority (approximately 80%) of films shown by this cinema are produced by
conglomerate companies, or smaller, mini-major types with conglomerate connections, often
within distribution. However, some films such as 'Capture the Flag' are also shown, produced
by the independent 4 Cats Pictures, thus also revealing this complex to consider the exhibition
of film independents, or films with little marketing coverage.
What are the implications of your findings for institutions and film audiences?
 In regards to implications this cinema possesses for audiences, the cinemas Arthouse form,
allows for an exciting cinema experience that is unique and unconventional in comparison to
the far more modernised nature of Multiplex institutions. This is a strength for audiences in
regards to receiving an interesting cinema experience, however in regards to the facilities,
conventional popular items such as popcorn and hot-dogs are unavailable to guests, thus the
formality and differences may not appeal to mass mainstream audiences. However, although
this is a weakness for audiences, this caters well towards the institutions aims to appeal to an
audience, appreciative of the culturally artistic element to film, thus allowing them to limit their
appeal to the niche audience members that The Rex desires.

6. Cineworld, Milton Keynes
How would you categorise this cinema?
 This cinema is a multiplex conglomerate type industry, with a number of chains throughout the UK, and a
leading competitor within the film exhibition industry. This exhibitor holds the purpose of appealing towards a
mass mainstream audience, aiming to attract as many types of audience members as possible in order to
receive as large a profit as possible.
How many screens does it have?
 Cineworld screen sizes vary from 50-690 seats. The Milton Keynes cinema has recently refitted both a
“Superscreen” and a 4DX screen, the first in the UK. Cineworld intends to roll out further “Superscreen” and
4DX screens to other sites in the future. Within UK complexes there is a total of 800 screens, the largest being
at 20 (at the Valley of Centretainment at Sheffield).
What Facilities does it have?
 In regards to facilities this includes:
 Food – Cineworld branded popcorn, sweets, cooked foods (hot-dogs) and drinks, as well as a link to Baskin
Robbins (forming a connection in regards tyo synergy in order to attract more potential audience members).
 Accessibility – Disabled parking and access, Autism friendly screening, guide dogs allowed, audio description.
 Screens and ticketing – HRF, 4D, Superscreen, 2D, Real 3D.
 Facilities for families – Films for juniors.
Where is it located?
 Milton Keynes, however possesses a number of other branching locations within Europe, totalling 2000
screens overall.

7. What films it is showing over the next two weeks?

8. Cineworld
Approximately what percentage of the films shown at this cinema are
independent/conglomerate?
 The majority (approximately 90%) of the films shown within the complex have been created by
conglomerate company's, this is most likely due to Cineworld's intention of appealing to as
mass an audience as possible and thus screening films that have a higher chance of success, due
to the increased funding and influence of conglomerate company films. Thus providing little
chance for independent films to gain a place amongst this conglomerates screenings.
What are the implications of your findings for institutions and film audiences?
 For institutions by purchasing mainly conglomerate made films, this allows an almost
guaranteed exhibition platform for highly established and influential production company's to
show their films to the public. Also Cineworld, this focus upon conglomerate films is positive in
regards to chances of making a large profit off exhibited films, as conglomerate films are
dominant of the film industry and thus are likely to attract large, mainsteam audience. Also the
cinemas showing of a range of popular films results in a large audience appeal and satisfaction,
thus considering the happiness of the customers. Also, the co-operation of food company's also
allows for an increased audience appeal and a greater range in additional luxuries, then can be
found within Arthouse cinema complexes, such as The Rex.

9. The BFI, London
How would you categorise this cinema?
 The BFI acts as the UK's leading organisation to film, in regards to UK film
approval, as well as providing its own screenings for recently released films, making
this a mini-major type within the UK. However, not a major source of film
exhibition in regards to audience popularity, as it holds other more prominent
responsibilities within film.
How many screens does it have?
 The complex consist of six auditoriums, offering seating from 36 to 450. However,
the variety in regards to viewing options is limited in terms of variety and is also
used for other purposes such as educational talks and events.
What facilities does it have?
 The facilities consist of a number of inner eateries, including restaurants and cafes,
helping to increase the overall audience attraction and appeal through these
additional features. The screens are rather grand, composed within an auditorium.
Where is it located?
 The BFI located within London.

10. What films it is showing over the next two weeks?

11. Approximately what percentage of the films shown at this cinema are independent/conglomerate?
 At the BFI the majority of shown films have been produced by independent companies (approximately 70%),
these often consisting of films created in Europe, which are low budget, and often distributed using film
festivals and events in order to gather attention for the film. However, some of there films do consist of
conglomerate made films, such as the showing of Disney's Frozen and Big Hero Six, this is most likely to
appeal to a wider audience range, in order to cater towards all audience types (for example younger audiences,
who would most likely be uninterested within higher rated independent films, or unable to qualify to the
specified certification).
What are the implications of your findings for institutions and film audiences?
 In regards to implications, for institutions this allows independent producers exhibition opportunities for their
films, helping to create the opportunities for new films to reach their intended audiences, as lovers of film
often visit the BFI. However, for the BFI itself this may not attract a great number of customers thus
financially this may not necessarily help BFI as a company, in comparison to conglomerate distributors such
as Cineworld. Nevertheless, due to the BFI's known assistance of independent small time films, this hindrance
seems an unnecessary concern in rewards to meeting with the BFI's non-profitable, but informative and
assisting values. For audiences this allows a platform in which film enthusiasts can consume films however,
due to the lack of well-known or newly released films on show this may not necessarily appeal to a mass
audience.
The BFI