BFI Strengthens Commitment To Family Audiences
The BFI has announced the appointment of Justin Johnson to the new role of Specialist Programme & Project Advisor (Young Audiences) where he will continue to develop the family and youth programming remit of BFI Southbank and the BFI London Film Festival and also work with the BFI Film Fund on strategies to boost family audiences and family films.
According to the BFI, research shows that children who regularly go to the cinema are 3 times more likely to attend frequently as adults and, with 7-14 year olds approximately 15% of the UK’s cinema going audience, a commitment to growing family audiences and supporting the development and production of independent British family films was a key recommendation of Lord Smith’s Film Policy Review and subsequently a key strategic priority in the BFI’s five year plan Film Forever.
Johnson is the Deputy Chair of the BAFTA Children’s Committee, sits on the BAFTA Film Committee and is a regular contributor to the media on issues around film and young audiences. His new role will ensure a holistic and dedicated approach to the BFI’s activities for family audience and he will undertake a major piece of research and engagement across the family film sector, on behalf of the BFI Film Fund, to look specifically at supporting and growing this audience.
bfi.org.uk
