Ep.19 James Ireland | Reading Biscuit Factory

In this episode, James opens up about Reading Biscuit Factory, a unique cinema and community space in the heart of Reading. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of running an independent cinema and the importance of fostering a sense of community. James shares insights into the programming decisions behind the cinema's diverse range of films, from mainstream blockbusters to independent cinema. He also delves into the collaborative spirit of the venue, highlighting partnerships with local artists, and community groups.   Time codes 00:23 Introduction 01:00 About James and Reading Biscuit Factory (RBF) 01:45 What James likes about Reading 02:23 RBF's niche and local collaborations 04:54 How to get collaborations up and running 05:34 How RBF promotes themselves 06:50 How RBF selects what independent films to show 07:57 What James likes about independent films 09:10 How RBF balance business with free community side 10:22 How RBF helps local communities 11:22 What challenges do RBF face 14:06 Lessons to share with other independents 16:05 Plans for the future 16:30 How to follow RBF 17:12 Final thoughts 17:34 The RBF eyes