The Programme Notes are compiled by the Documentation Editors in the BFI’s Data and Digital Preservation department.
Historically the notes were printed and made available in BFI Southbank - and that paper version will still be available in venue.
The notes use content from the BFI’s Sight and Sound magazine - and its predecessor Monthly Film Bulletin - as well as production notes from filmmakers.
Each digital note includes a downloadable PDF to view offline.
The aim is to provide a note for every screening in the cinemas at BFI Southbank, but occasionally there is a screening where no suitable content can be found.
Sometimes the notes contain spoilers that give away important information about the film’s narrative, and in those cases you’ll see a SPOILER warning at the start of the text.
You can contact the Programme Notes team by email.