The Film London Exhibitors' Forums are an opportunity for exhibitors, festivals organisers, art centres, film and arts development officers from local authorities, and freelancers to share sector news, opportunities, best practice ideas and lessons learnt. This month's forum featured presentations from three organisations that have successfully completed their projects through our Audience Development funds. Over 20 exhibitors came along to the event which was held at the end of July in Kentish Town.

The latest Exhibitors' Forum - Accessible Screenings: Where to Start? - was hosted by Shape, a disability-led arts organisation working to improve access to culture for disabled people. The day was divided into parts, but the common theme of the forum was accessibility - providing information on the best way to ensure screenings are accessible to diverse audiences through both marketing and events activity. All events offer a networking environment, where attendees can meet like-minded people either over tea and biscuits during the break, or following the forum over informal drinks.

The first session, led by Foteini Galanopoulou, programme officer at Shape, saw a discussion around the Disability Discrimination Act, common portrayals of disabled people on screen, and an insight into using marketing materials, communications and websites more effectively. Foteini presented an overview of Top Tips for Accessible Marketing and Audience Development which covered: language; working with website designers and developers; print, online and alternative formats; as well as audiences and audience development. Download a copy below:

Shape's Top Tips - Accessible Marketing and Audience Development

Following on from the first session, three Film London fund recipients presented their projects:

• Pushpinder Chowdhry from Tongues on Fire, who presented Breaking the Silence about Mental Health - a project supported through Film London's Education 'Hubs' Fund. Pushpinder worked closely with Adult Mental Health Services in Central and North West London to address the stigma surrounding mental health through film.

• Judith Garfield of Eastside Community Heritage screened their latest documentary film Turn Back Time as part of their Disabled Workers Project - supported by Film London through the UK Film Council's Digital Film Archive Fund. Turn Back Time sees the young disabled participants present archive material to tell stories of industrial disabled workers and how this relates to the experience of the group.
• Lastly, Raina Haig gave a presentation on her project for mental health service users at the North Camden Recovery Centre (NCRC). Planet Film Club, supported by Film London's Audience Development Fund, saw a series of workshops inviting participants to explore and engage in an aspect of practical film-making - providing an inclusive, non-threatening environment for a fun, participatory experience. 

Foetini Galanopoulou will be just one of the experts at this month's Exhibitors' Surgeries on 26 August at Film London, so if you would like to book a half hour session to discuss access, or would like to contact any of our other speakers from the Accessible Screenings forum, please email audiencedevelopment@filmlondon.org.uk.

The next Exhibitors' Forum will take place on 16 September and will be hosted Phoenix Cinema, who have kindly offered an exclusive 'first-look' at their newly refurbished premises. If you would like to join us for the next forum, please email audiencedevelopment@filmlondon.org.uk.