Frequently Asked Questions
The service is provided exclusively for an entitled audience of members of HM Forces, MOD civilians, and their families who are based in remote locations, operational theatres, or places unable to sustain digital cinema facilities.
Military locations across the UK and overseas will qualify based on their individual circumstances. These can include but are not limited to:
• Operational duty
• High intensity training/exercises
• Phase 1 & 2 Training
• Confined to Barracks
• Decompression
• Where families are disadvantaged by geography
• Watch-keeping and/or long shifts confined to a named location
• Prolonged 'notice to deploy' or 'operational ready' state
Military units may additionally support Veteran communities within their communal spaces, with
prior permission from BFBS.
Units will need to secure funding for this service, possibly from welfare funds, grants, non-public sources e.g. PRI or local gain share, or profits from sales of food and drinks associated with movie screenings.
Units may not charge an admission fee to view the films, however, it is possible to recoup licencing fees, if required, via a ‘Film Club’ arrangement. More information about setting up and running a film club is available from BFBS Cinemas.
Many Units have successfully found funding from charitable welfare funds such as the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund. Please contact us for more information.
The Cinelink player can work in small spaces or larger auditoriums. Units need to supply HD-compatible HDCP projection equipment or a HDCP television which has an HDMI port, which should be set up in a room/space that is suitable for communal viewing. Additional equipment may be required to appreciate the HD quality picture and surround sound.
Once units have signed up to the service, BFBS Cinemas will dispatch the Cinelink Equipment, which includes the player, power cable, HDMI cable, ethernet cable, remote control and user instructions. Please note: the Cinelink equipment is leased to the Unit.
It must be stored safely and securely when not in use, must not be lent to other users and must be returned to BFBS at the end of the agreement period.
The service licenses up to 52 films per year. This usually sees a new film released each week.
BFBS Cinemas will arrange for Units to receive new films either via download directly to the player or on an encrypted USB stick. The player is very portable and does not stream content, so can be moved to an internet source when required. Alternatively, the player can be used in an entirely disconnected environment where no internet is available.
BFBS Cinemas will select film titles based on their overall popularity ensuring a fair mix of genres are provided throughout the year. The titles will vary according to which category/package the site is signed up to. We also welcome suggestions from Units for future film titles.
All films will either be delivered electronically or dispatched via Royal Mail or BFPO ahead of the films screening date.
The annual charge is £5000 plus VAT for year one. These costs include the lease of the Cinelink viewing equipment (box, cables, remote control, and user instructions). Discounts are available for renewals of service for subsequent years licensing.
Shorter term loans can be negotiated upon request.
Family Service is designed for any location where there is a family audience. This category will receive at least one family film per month with all selected films ranging between U - 15 Cert.
Non-Family is designed for an older audience with films generally ranging from PG – 18 Cert.
The Cinelink service provides a non-commercial, non-theatrical screening license for all films supplied via BFBS, so no admission charges can be applied. However, venues can be operated via a ‘Film Club’ arrangement. For more information about setting up and running a film club please contact us.
Under UK copyright law, screening films to audiences outside of the home for entertainment purposes requires a licence from the copyright owner or their representatives. This applies whether it is a paying or non-paying audience. Please check with your content provider to ensure you are covered with the correct licensing agreement. BFBS may be able to support, please get in touch to discuss further.