The Trainee Film Programmer will support the programming team in planning and delivering a film programme that reflects the tastes and expectations of their audience and third‑party cinema clients.
This is a hybrid role. You will be expected to work one day a week in the Liphook venue with the programming team and at least one further day per week in one of our venues, understanding our audiences, in addition to the London‑based responsibilities. The remainder of your time can be worked remotely.
Upon successful completion of the 12‑month trainee programme, the role is intended to transition into a full‑time Film Programmer position.
This role focuses on developing an understanding of audience preferences, box office performance, and programming strategy within commercial cinema environments. The trainee will assist with film set up and scheduling, distributor coordination, and the booking of certain titles while learning how programming decisions balance audience demand, critical reviews and commercial performance. It will also provide insight into how programming connects with audience experience, hospitality, and the overall identity of the venue, ensuring that the films align with audience values and expectations from The Living Room Cinema.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone interested in how cinemas select and schedule films for real audiences, rather than purely festival‑style curatorial programming. You will develop relationships with all major and independent studios and distributors and will be expected to travel to Central London to attend film screenings, presentations and meetings. This provides an opportunity to see upcoming releases ahead of their release dates and to build relationships across the UK film distribution industry.
Key Responsibilities:
* Assist with researching upcoming film releases and potential programming opportunities
* Creating film and event codes within back‑office systems
* Booking films for sub‑brands (e.g. for The Little Living Room, The Living Room Presents)
* Support the film booking process, including scheduling new releases, communication with distributors and confirming screening terms to our finance team
* Chasing missing KDMs and film content
* Maintain and update programming schedules and internal planning documents
* Reporting of advanced sales to relevant parties, including distributors and internal stakeholders
* Responding to private hire enquiries raised by the marketing and operations teams on film availability and price
* Help monitor box office performance and audience attendance patterns
* Contribute insights on audience preferences and trends
* Assist with planning and support the delivery of special screenings, preview and Q&A events, and partnership screenings
* Assist with administrative tasks related to film programming and scheduling
Learning & Development
The trainee will gain practical experience in:
* Understanding audience behaviour and box office performance
* Working with film distributors and booking releases
* Film scheduling and programme planning
* Balancing audience demand with programming variety
Person Specification
* A strong interest in cinema and film exhibition
* Curiosity about understanding what audiences respond to and why
* Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
* Clear written and verbal communication skills
* Ability to work collaboratively within a small team
* Professional and personable when representing the company at industry events
* Willingness to travel and get to know our locations
* Awareness of current and upcoming film releases
* Interest in cinema audiences and viewing trends
* Experience supporting events or working in a cinema or cultural venue
To apply:
Please send A CV and a short cover letter explaining specifically why you are interested in film programming and cinema exhibition to hello@thelivingroomcinema.co.uk
The closing date for this position is 22/04/2026 at 17:00
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