Beaconsfield Film Society to lower membership age

Mar 21 2011 By Lucy Cork

BA film

BEACONSFIELD film buffs have agreed to lower their society's membership fee for under 25s in a unanimous vote to attract the younger generation.

Despite getting off to an 'outstanding' start in 2008, Beaconsfield Film Society, (BFS) which is based at the National Film and Television Studios in Station Road, has seen its numbers rise and fall. Now, a big recruitment drive is aiming to attract a more sustainable and diverse group of film lovers.

With ambitions to increase membership figures to the 850 mark, around 70 people voted unanimously at a society meeting on Thursday, (17) to reduce the annual fees for under 25-year-olds to £5.

Chairman, Anthony Pickavance, said: “Our numbers dropped at one point through no fault of our own – for reasons of ill health, relocation or simply that they felt it was not for them, but now we have 620 members, which is the most we have ever had but we are seriously lacking young faces in our midst.”

Leaflets advertising upcoming films and meetings are being posted through residents' doors over the coming months in hope of reaching new members and a new film schedule also has a young audience in mind.

Adminstrator, Sarah McCaffrey, said: “We really need volunteers to help us with things like leaflet distribution for this promotion. Ideally we will be filling every seat in the auditorium each week.”

A survey by the society found that currents members interests are in comedy, drama and historical films with a declining interest in action, musicals and science-fiction.

Mr Pickavance said: “The main thing we know is that our members don't want to be watching films that are played at any Odeon cinema. We play mainly indie and world cinema that you would not normally see on a big screen. There is always a glass of wine on offer before the film too.

“I feel as thought this society has been around forever – we have achieved so much since we started out. It has now become a feature in the landscape of the Beaconsfield area, which is what we set out to do.”

Annual membership to the BFS costs £20 for anyone over 25.

For information or to become a volunteer email Sarah McCaffrey at bookings@beaconsfieldfilmsociety.com