Code of Conduct

Scalarama Leeds is a community-driven DIY film festival run entirely by volunteers. We operate on behalf of (largely) Leeds-based film programmers, facilitating, supporting and promoting independent screenings across the city in non-cinema spaces. We love working with people who love films and help them create their own screening events, to keep the ethos and memory of the original Scala cinema alive.

Part of this means aiming to create safer, inclusive spaces where everyone can enjoy films together. We are against discrimination, harassment, and behaviour that makes others feel unwelcome or unsafe. We recognise that we all have our own biases, prejudices, and privileges, and we work to challenge these while treating everyone with respect, kindness, and empathy.

This Code of Conduct applies to all core team members, programmers, venue partners, audiences, and anyone engaging with Scalarama Leeds through our meetings, workshops, WhatsApp groups, screenings, and events.

Our Expectations

Be Respectful: Everyone has different views and perspectives. It's important to remain respectful when there are differences of opinion. We will not tolerate abusive, racist, sexist, misogynist, ableist, classist, sizeist, ageist, homophobic, or transphobic language or behaviour.

Be Aware: Understand that we all carry biases and assumptions. Make time to listen to one another, don't make assumptions about a person's pronouns, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, or other characteristics, and be mindful not to dominate spaces or discussions.

Be Kind: Each of us has different and unique life experiences, and some people may be struggling with challenges that are not always visible. Look out for one another and treat people with kindness, compassion, and empathy.

For Programmers and Event Organisers

Venue Responsibility: It is important to let your venue know the full nature of your screening, including content guidance for the film and any additional activities such as introductions or discussions. We strongly encourage all programmers to research and respect the rules, codes of conduct, and values of the venues that host their events.

Film Content: We don't want to censor or monitor your film choices. However, we encourage films or events with challenging, difficult or extreme content to be presented with a well-researched and contextual approach that allows everyone, including the venue, to feel safe and informed.

Safe Spaces: While we help facilitate, support, and promote events and screenings, the responsibility for maintaining safe spaces and following this code of conduct lies with the individual event or screening organiser.

Agreement: By submitting your screening to Scalarama Leeds, you are agreeing to this Code of Conduct. It is your obligation to read, understand and follow these guidelines.

Our Limitations and Process

As a volunteer-run, DIY festival with limited resources, we acknowledge that our capacity to monitor and respond to issues has limits. We have to be mostly reactive to problems as they arise, but we are always working hard to grow, learn, adapt and consistently assess our internal processes to keep Scalarama Leeds safe and enjoyable for all.

Our WhatsApp groups are not constantly monitored, so there is an expectation that respectful behaviour is maintained across all forums or other communication routes we use.

These are guidelines rather than rigid rules, designed to help create the kind of community we want to be part of.

Reporting and Support

If anyone engaging with the festival, whether audience member, programmer, or core team, feels they have been inappropriately treated, or witnesses anyone else being inappropriately treated, please speak with a member of the core team or email [email protected]. A member of the team will follow up appropriately.

Moving Forward

This guidance primarily covers our meetings, workshops, and WhatsApp communications, but we hope these principles extend to your screenings and all events under the Scalarama Leeds umbrella. We are committed to continually learning and improving our practices to ensure Scalarama Leeds remains a welcoming space for all film lovers in Leeds.