Showroom Young Programmers
Showroom Cinema's Young Programmers work with all us year round to put on their own events and screenings, as part of this they gain access to preview screenings with distributors and meet with us each month.
The Young Programmers are aged between 18 and 25. The group meets once a month and assist with the curation of Showroom Cinema's film programme. You can find out more about our current cohort on the Meet our Young Programmers tab below. They focus on programming indie films, particularly British ones, world cinema, cult cinema and classic cinema in line with Showroom’s audience.
If you are based outside of South Yorkshire and want to join a young programmers group, take a look at the sections below to find some more opportunities close to you. Alternatively if you are looking to find out more about the role and get an insight into the industry, take a look at our BFI Film Academy Specialist Programming Residential for 16-19 year olds below.
Upcoming films screening as part of our Young Programmers Takeover Season
Interested in becoming a Young Programmer?
We are looking to recruit a number of Young Programmers to meet once a month and assist us with the curation of our film programme at Showroom Cinema. We will focus on programming indie films, particularly British ones, world cinema, cult cinema and classic cinema in line with Showroom’s audience.
Our Young Programmers will:
Host takeover screenings to exhibit films of their choice at Showroom Cinema.
- Receive free tickets to the Showroom Cinema and get a free +1 each week
Curate talks and events around their selected films, and budget for these accordingly
- Take part in low budget filmmaking workshops
- Help increase engagement among our young audiences (Cine26; ages 16 to 26)
- Develop a diverse cinema programme which is representative of the world we live in.
- Have exclusive access to new releases
- Assist with the marketing and distribution of new films.
Do you...
Enjoy watching British independent and world cinema in your own time
Want to gain work experience in the cinema exhibition & distribution industry
Have an interest in film journalism or film criticism
Aged 16-25 years old and UK resident
Live local to Sheffield and can meet with other young programmers one Monday of every month
See yourself having a future career as a filmmaker, a film critic, in film exhibition and programming, or in events and marketing?
Availability
We will meet once a month on Mondays from 5.30 - 7.30pm at Showroom Cinema in Sheffield city centre. Our first meeting will take place at Showroom on Monday 8th January.
Perks
Be an influential part of curating Showroom Cinema’s Film Programme
Free cinema tickets, year round, plus 1x free guest ticket once a week
Watch preview screenings of upcoming films ahead of their national release date
Be the first to hear about upcoming events at Showroom
BFI Film Academy Specialist Programming Residential 2023 - Closed for Applications
The BFI Film Academy Specialist Programming Course 2023 is a cinema programming training programme taking place for one week in person (31 July - 4 August) and on three Saturdays online this summer. Open to 16 to 19-year-olds from across the UK, the course provides the chance to learn about film programming, marketing and distribution and eventually put on a film festival at Showroom Cinema. So, whether you’re a filmmaker, blogger, regular cinema goer, or someone who simply enjoys watching and talking about films, this exciting and intensive residential programme will give you a real insight into the world of cinema. Our previous alumni have gone on to work at Warner Brothers, Sheffield Doc/Fest and much more.
Find our more and apply here - BFI Film Academy Residential 2023 - Showroom Workstation - Sheffield
Meet our 2024 Showroom Young Programmers
Ai, 25, is a freelance photographer and aspiring director. She enjoys films that discuss difficult issues and challenge people's thoughts. Ai hopes to shed more light onto Asian cinema.
Isobel, 24, is a freelance entertainment journalist and student at the University of Sheffield. She is interested in both film distribution and criticism, and her favourite films include Lilo & Stitch and The Lost Boys, which if nothing else proves she has range.
Jasmine, 24, studied film production at University and is now working as a Marketing Executive in the charity sector. She’s been a proud owner of a Cine26 card for the past 7 years.
Joe, 23, is a self-proclaimed Wong Kar-wai obsessive and an aficionado of horror, thriller, and crime cinema - anything slasher, revenge, or yakuza/triad, he'll be seated. His favourite actresses are Maggie Cheung and Meiko Kaji
Laura, 18, is on a gap year in Sheffield and hopes to pursue a career in film making. She is particularly passionate about queer representation in cinema, and can often be found watching 90s cult classics.
Lucy, 21, is Masters student at the University of Sheffield studying English Literature. Having an enthusiasm for cult horror films that showcase monstrous women and inspire enviable Halloween costumes, she lists Alice Lowe’s Prevenge and Karyn Kusama’s Jennifer’s Body as two of her favourites.
Zoe, 25, is a recent Masters graduate from the University Of Sheffield, who studied Digital Culture. She enjoys films which explore dark topics, social realism and alternative subcultures.
Find your local Young Programmers group
We are just one of many Young Programmers groups across the UK!
To find your nearest young programmers group, take a look at this map we've curated of the Young Programmers groups currently active in the UK:
If you're a Young Programmers group wanting to be added to the map, please email Nora at [email protected]
Opportunities for Young Programmers across the UK
ICO Independent Cinema Office - Young Audiences Screening Day
Taking place online on Tuesday 4 July and in-person at Depot, Lewes on Thursday 6 July, this hybrid event gives exhibitors the chance to watch upcoming releases for young audiences (children to age 25) and take part in curated sessions designed to support their young audience development work.
This project is supported by Film Hub North with National Lottery funding on behalf of the BFI Film Audience Network.
