Attachment A

Kingston upon Hull City Libraries

PUBLIC LIBRARIES COMMITTEE
MEETING, 16TH SEPTEMBER, 1968

Regional Film Theatre

It is the national policy of the British Film Institute to promote, establish and support regional film theatres in all parts of the country. Its funds are obtained from the Exchequer through the Arts Council and grants are made to local Councils for the purpose of encouraging the use of films.

The type of films shown are classic, documentary, foreign, educational and other films not in general release and therefore do not compete with the commercial cinema.

The Public Libraries and Museums Act, 1964, gives power to library authorities to show films. Section 20 reads,

“A local authority maintaining premises under this Act may use the premises, or allow them to be used (whether in return for payment or not), for the holding of meetings and exhibitions, the showing of films and slides, the giving of musical performances, and the holding of other events of an educational or cultural nature, and in connection therewith may, not withstanding anything in section 8 above, make or authorise the making of a charge for admission.”

The Sheffield City Libraries under the aegis of this section of the Act and with the co-operation of the British Film Institute have, quite recently, established a Regional Film Theatre.

The Library Theatre in the Hull Central Library will be completed and ready for use by November this year. It is provided with a projection room and when all the equipment is provided will be capable of showing 35mm. Films. The British Film Institute approached the Corporation a year or so ago and suggested the establishment of a Regional Film Institute and the Libraries Committee has discussed this question briefly on several occasions.

The British Film Institute offered a grant, subject to confirmation, of £6,112 towards the cost of building and equipment. Also, subject to an agreement between the Corporation and the British Film Institute, they have agreed to cover 50% of any possible loss on the running of the Film Theatre subject to a limit both in money and time to be agreed.

In addition the agreement would cover the following points:-

1. There would be a minimum of 80 performances a year. Possibly two evenings per week for 40 weeks.
2. The Film Theatre would be under the direction of the Public Libraries Committee.
3. The British Film Institute would be consulted regarding technical and general matters concerned with the showing of films.
4. Some time limit may be set on the operation of the agreement (say 5 years).

A suggested provisional estimate of expenditure and income for the running of a film theatre for a full year is given below:-

Expenditure
Theatre hire - 80 performances @ £5	£400
Film hire - 80 performances @ £15	1200
Publicity - brochure, etc. - press advertising - display	- £500 £300 £200
Salaries - part time usherettes, etc. - part time projectionist	- £250 £160
Licences	£50
British Film Institute services	£500
Contingencies	£200
Total	£3760
Income
Admission - 150 seats @ 6/-, 100 seats @ 5/-. Total capacity £70). Therefore 30% capacity; 80 performances at £21	£1680
Membership - 1000 at 5/-	£250
	£1930
Estimated loss	£1830
Half to be borne by British Film Institute	£915
Half to be borne by the Corporation	£915

If a Regional Film Theatre is to be established, with the consequent showing of 35mm. Films, in addition to 16mm. more equipment will be needed than was originally envisaged. This equipment, according to a British Film Institute estimate, will cost £400, but as this is more than covered by the grant, there would be no supplementary charge to the estimates. It is also pointed out that two of the items under expenditure, i.e “Theatre hire. £400” and “Salary - projectionist - £160” are charges by the Corporation and would figure as income in the Corporation accounts. It will also be noted that attendance is is estimated at only 30% of capacity and any number in excess of this percentage would mean a corresponding reduction in the estimated loss.

The local “Arts Centre Group” were also interested in establishing a Regional Film Theatre but after discussion they representatives were willing to abandon their claims and leave it to the Library Theatre.

28th August 1968.

R. F. DREWERY,
Chief Librarian.

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• Attachment B
• A short history of Hull Screen

HULL SCREEN FOR WORLD CINEMA