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| Author | Zoe Aresti |
As DCM's Exhibition Director, Steven Davis, travels around the UK attending the UKCA's regional meetings, he reflects on the successful return of the cinema industry and looks ahead to some exciting upcoming plans.
"It's been a topic front of mind for the last few months, and we all know cinema is well and truly back! I’ve been four times this week alone…
It’s great to have the industry back too, with the UKCA Conference taking place last month. I sadly had to attend virtually due to Covid, but it was a great event to kick off the return of the sector. Michael Tull, DCM's Research and Insight Manager, stepped in to give some really positive upbeat reflections from DCM about how brands are supporting the sector as it returns. And there's lots more to look forward to...
UKCA Regional Meetings
The first of the regional UKCA Regional Meetings in over two years have been taking place, being kicked off at the Cameo Picturehouse in Edinburgh and the Strand, Belfast.
Do get in touch with Seema at the UKCA (seema.saujani@cinemauk.org.uk) if you’re thinking of attending any of the remaining events. I’d whole heartedly recommend coming along to get a number of relevant updates from all sides of the industry and catch up with old and new colleagues and friends. You will also have the pleasure of a slate presentation from yours truly at the London and North/Midlands meetings:
West of England - Savoy Cinema, Exmouth - Tuesday 16 November
London and South East - Regent Street Cinema, London - Thursday 18 November
Wales - Everyman Cardiff - Tuesday 23 November
North and Midlands - Savoy Doncaster - Thursday 25 November
This Way Up
This Way Up, the annual conference for people working in UK film exhibition returns in-person and online on 1-2 December 2021. This year it is taking place at Watershed in Bristol for its eighth edition. I have been lucky enough to attend many of the previous conferences, which have proved insightful and valuable, and they get better and better every year.
This Way Up is delivered by BFI FAN, and brings the sector together to share new ideas, celebrate our work, and collectively imagine the future of cinema-going for audiences across the UK. This year it’s being delivered as a live-streamed, hybrid event, meaning that most of the in-person elements of the conference will be watchable online as it’s happening in the venue. They will also be recording the sessions, so if you cannot watch live you can always catch up later on. Q&A opportunities will be offered for both in-person and virtual; and obviously whilst they are encouraging everyone to attend the conference, due to COVID safety precautions, Watershed is operating at 75% capacity so there will be fewer tickets available than previous years. If you want to attend in person please do book your tickets promptly.
In person tickets are £135+VAT for one person to attend both days, which also includes refreshments and lunch across both days, access to networking events, a film screened on day 2, and the delegate list as well as recordings post-conference. Virtual tickets cost just £50+VAT. More details can be found here https://thiswayupcon.com/.
Hope to see you one of these events sometime soon."
Steve Davis
DCM Exhibition Director