Job Title: Trainee Film Programmer (Full Time)
Location: Hybrid - The Living Room Cinema venues, Central London & Remote
Contract: Fixed-term trainee position (12 months). Upon successful completion of the 12-month trainee programme, the role is intended to transition into a full-time Film Programmer position.
Salary: £27,000

 

The Living Room Cinemas are boutique cinema venues combining film, workspaces and hospitality. Designed to offer a comfortable and premium cinema experience, the venues attract a discerning audience that values great films, exceptional customer service, and a relaxed yet stylish environment.

Our film programme blends high-quality mainstream releases with carefully selected independent and international titles that resonate with our audience. Alongside our regular programme, we host a busy calendar of preview screenings, special events and filmmaker Q&As, regularly welcoming high-profile talent to our venues.

With cinema spaces designed to feel more like elegant living rooms than traditional auditoriums, The Living Room Cinema offers a distinctive environment where film lovers, casual visitors and creative professionals can gather to watch, work and socialise. We have two existing venues, with a third expected to open in 2027.

We also provide a film programming service for third-party cinema clients and continue to expand in this area.

 

We are looking for a Trainee Film Programmer to support the programming team in planning and delivering a film programme that reflects the tastes and expectations of our audience and those of our third-party cinema clients.

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 we show align with what our audience values and expects 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 into Central London to attend film screenings, presentations and meetings. This provides the opportunity to see upcoming releases ahead of their release date and build relationships across the UK film distribution industry.

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.

 

• 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

The trainee will gain practical experience in:

• Programming for several different commercial independent cinemas
• 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

• 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

• Hands-on experience in the programming process within a working cinema
• Mentorship from experienced cinema staff
• Insight into film distribution and cinema exhibition
• A collaborative working environment within a friendly and dynamic team

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 by Wednesday 22nd April.