The Showroom

The arts organisation I have chosen to look at for section D of Unit 1 of the Arts Award is The Showroom. The Showroom is an independent cinema in Sheffield city center, which not only shows both mainstream and independent films, but also runs many film clubs and other special sessions. It is also attached to the Workstation, described on its website as "Sheffield's leading business centre for Creative and Digital Industries."

The BFI Film Academy which I went to took place in The Showroom, and is just one example of one of the many film events they host here. It is also the reason why I have been to The Showroom so much recently, and have been able to learn more about the cinema as well as the opportunities and events it provides. One of these opportunities are the many film clubs, which are:

• Young Cinema - a Saturday film club for children and families which shows both new and classic releases, as well as before the film providing activities such as creating characters and making music for silent films. 
• Early Doors - a film club on Thursday mornings for people over 55, showing new releases with coffee and cake. Each film is also presented with an introduction.
• Kino Bambino! - a Monday morning screening of new releases for parents with babies less than a year old. The screenings have lower sound levels and a comfortable atmosphere, as well as complimentary hot drink afterwards.
• KicStart - A film club held every month for children with autism and their families. It's described as a low sensory experience, the film not needing subtitles and with reduced sound, the house lights on low and people welcome to move about. It also has a quiet room available during the duration of the film. 
• Film Studies - a programme every Wednesday with film screenings and discussions led by Film lecturers from Sheffield Hallam University. A new topic of studies is picked per term, a term lasting eight weeks. The current term of film studies is: 'Ridley Scott: Back Down to Earth with the Boy from South Shields'.

The Showroom also has a Stage on Screen programme, where they show live and pre-recorded theatre, ballet and opera, regular film quiz nights, as well as film seasons, such as the upcoming LGBT History Month screenings and hosting the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2016.

The Showroom also has several loyalty and membership schemes. Their main one is a standard membership, where you get £1 discount on each film you see, as well as collecting 10 points for each pound you spend, collect enough points and you can get a free cinema ticket. Another new scheme is 'My Showroom', a free loyalty scheme where you collect points for each purchase you make. A scheme I have found out about and will get involved with is their InterActive scheme, a free membership for 15 - 18 year olds where you can get tickets for £4.50 across The Showroom's entire programme of films, as well as the scheme hosting some special screenings for InterActive members, the next one of these an "uniquely immersive cinema event" with a quiz, free coffee and doughnuts and a live band all before a screening of 'Groundhog Day'.

Another thing I found out about whilst spending time at The Showroom is their involvement with the documentary film festival, Doc/Fest. This is an annual festival that takes place in Sheffield, and is one of the worlds leading and the UK's premiere documentary film festival. The festival also has many opportunities for people wanting to work in the world of film, as any filmmaker can submit their documentary to the festival, the website saying that Doc/Fest is "dedicated to new talent and voices". Anyone can also submit ideas for sessions, and apply for the 'Meetmarket', a marketplace full of executives, distributors, commissioners, funders, advisers and buyers, creating an amazing opportunity for film makers to pitch their ideas and network.

For me, personally, I will be looking into participating in the Youth Jury, and also looking at volunteering opportunities. The Youth Jury is a free programme which allows five young people aged 18 - 22 access to industry insiders both in London and in the festival, and gives the successful applicants way into seeing how the documentary industry works, as well as providing many more opportunities. At the end of Doc/Fest, the Youth Jury also picks their own winning film, and award it a prize. This to me sounds like an amazing opportunity, and something I'd like to be a part of. I would also like to look into volunteering, as the Youth Jury is hard to get into, and gain some experience being part of a film festival.

The Showroom is a fantastic arts organisation, as it is much more than just a cinema, and I look forward to taking advantage of the opportunities it offers.