Lights, camera, together for good

Wherever you are in the UK, hosting a film screening is a simple and powerful way to bring your community together, spark conversation and inspire action for nature and climate. To help you get started, we've put everything you need in one place. You'll find a guide to hosting a screening, a selection of films and how to arrange them, a discussion guide, and simple steps to follow.

 

Organising a film screening

Organising a film screening is easy and impactful. Simply follow these steps to get started:

  1. Decide which film you would like to screen - take a look at our suggested films below, or pick something of your own that speaks to your community. Go for whatever will be most impactful for what you want to achieve.
  2. Arrange a licence for your screening - contact the relevant person (listed below) for your chosen film. They can advise you on how to secure your licence and any additional things you might need to think about.
  3. Pick your date and venue - choose a space that fits your audience or community. It doesn't have to be a cinema! Town halls, community centres, sports clubs and outdoor spaces all work brilliantly. Check early that your venue can handle projection and sound, and that they have the licenses you need to screen a film.
  4. Invite your community and get started! Share your event with friends, neighbours and local groups. The more the merrier. Check out our guidance below for advice and support to help you make the most of your screening.

 

Additional guidance

We're working with Cinema for All to help you host a successful film screening. Cinema for All is the national charity for volunteer-led cinema, and has been supporting community screenings since 1946.

Today they represent over 1,700 community cinemas across the UK, offering discounts on film licences and equipment hire, with full sets of screening equipment based in 15 locations around the country. They also have a range of brilliant, easy-to-use resources to help you get set up, with guidance on choosing a venue, insurance and licensing, marketing and more, plus a helpful guide on what equipment you might need. Take a look through the guides below! 

 

Watch the trailer

Whispers in the Woods

Following its London premiere at BFI Imax on 28 October, we're delighted that communities can hold screenings of this incredible new film from 29 October. Set deep in France's Vosges mountains, this beautifully observed film follows a naturalist and his son as they spend time in the wild, encountering lynx, deer, owls and other rare wildlife in their natural habitat. With a gentle pace and rich storytelling, it captures the wonder of the natural world and invites us to slow down, listen, and reconnect with the landscapes around us. A reflective and immersive choice for communities wanting to create a calm, shared experience.


Groups wishing to license the film for a private screening, or to approach a local cinema for a public screening, can email [email protected]  for more information.

Films you can screen

These are our suggested films, along with who to contact to arrange a licence. But the real power of film is that you can be creative, so choose something that means something to you and your community!

There are two ways to secure a film. You can arrange it directly with the distributor, using the contact details we've provided below, or through Cinema for All's Booking Scheme. Booking through Cinema for All means becoming a member, but membership saves you money on licence fees and comes with lots of ongoing support and guidance, so it's worth considering, especially if you think you might hold a screening more than once. 

Films available directly from the distributor

Whispers in the Woods 

Following its London premiere at BFI Imax on 28 October, we're delighted that communities can hold screenings of this incredible new film from 29 October. Set deep in France's Vosges mountains, this beautifully observed film follows a naturalist and his son as they spend time in the wild, encountering lynx, deer, owls and other rare wildlife in their natural habitat. With a gentle pace and rich storytelling, it captures the wonder of the natural world and invites us to slow down, listen, and reconnect with the landscapes around us. A reflective and immersive choice for communities wanting to create a calm, shared experience.

Groups wishing to license the film for a private screening, or to approach a local cinema for a public screening, can email [email protected]  for more information.

Watch the trailer. 

It'll Never Work

A warm, humorous and inspiring documentary following a Scottish fisherman's mission to build the UK's first zero-carbon, solar-powered fishing boat. A story of determination, innovation and what's possible when people dare to do things differently.

To arrange a screening, contact: [email protected] 

Watch the trailer 

Jo in the Water

A film exploring the fight for clean water, created in partnership with Surfers Against Sewage. Following stories of water activism and community action, it's a particularly strong fit for places with rivers, coastlines or wild swimming communities.

Find out more and watch the trailer

To arrange a screening, contact: [email protected] 

Films available through Cinema for All 

Are you a member of Cinema for All? These films are available through their booking scheme.

David Attenborough's Ocean

A landmark film bringing the beauty and importance of our oceans to the big screen. With global recognition and storytelling from David Attenborough, this is a widely appealing option that can draw in broad audiences and spark conversation.

Watch the trailer.

Power Station

A story of community-led renewable energy, with a strong Northern perspective. This film highlights how local communities are taking power into their own hands, making it a great choice for urban areas and places interested in energy and local solutions. 

Watch the trailer.

Our Land

A powerful film exploring the right-to-roam movement, following ramblers campaigning for greater access to nature and rural landscapes. A compelling choice for communities interested in access, land, and our relationship with the outdoors.

Watch the trailer

National Emergency Briefing screenings

Thousands of people across the UK are screening the National Emergency Briefing in their communities. The National Emergency Briefing brings together leading experts to present the latest evidence on climate and nature, and communities are hosting screenings to bring that conversation out of Westminster and into their own neighbourhoods.

If you would like to host a National Emergency Briefing screening, get in touch with our friends at the National Emergency Briefing to find out how.

Interested in getting more involved in local screenings? 

Interested in connecting with a local cinema? We're working with the UK Green Film Network to connect communities with cinemas across the UK, and they'd love to hear from you. Explore how you could work together to bring a screening to your local cinema. 

Connect with UKGFN→

Interested in setting up a community cinema? Our friends at Cinema for All support community cinemas across the UK, with ongoing support, free advice resources and discounts on some film licences, including the films described above.

Contact Cinema For All→