Docspace conducted audience research as part of its Opening Festival in November 2004. You can download a sample copy of the Questionnaire.

Of those who responded (37% of all admissions and a total of 220 responses):

• 91% were either Very Satisfied or Satisfied with the Films
• 78% were either Very Satisfied or Satisfied with related Events
• 81% were either Very Satisfied or Satisfied with the Digital Cinema Image Quality
• 92% were either Very Satisfied or Satisfied with the Sound Quality

The vast majority of qualitative comments received were positive and encouraging:

• "more than the average documentary"
• "Often it is hard to get to see these films unless it's a film festival"
• "Brilliant inspiring film with the right kind of innovation - digital cinema - new and different from Hollywood"
• "Very good and moving film. More of it please"
• "I'm glad that you're showing this documentary festival since it's hard to find them elsewhere"
• "Didn't know what I was going to get but satisfied!!"
• "I think more documentary films should make it to cinemas"
• "I for one knew nothing of 'Peace One Day'. Watching this film has been totally positive for me and I feel is starting to get the message out. Total respect for the guy that made this film"
• "I really loved the idea of so many people in different countries having the same experience as me"
• "Glad we are given the chance to view films like this one"
• "The film itself very inspiring, the discussion even more. No subtitles as you'll hear from everyone"
• "Outstanding in every way. Moving, very well researched, uplifting, humorous, realistic, varied, involving at every level, informative. So glad I saw it. Repeat it?"
• "Spectacular and very inspiring story and photography"
  "Fantastic. Werner H. Docs are amazing experience. They can tickle you, they can touch your soul, they can expand your mind. Documentary Viagra"
  

This research also suggested some interesting characteristics of the Opening Festival audience based on those who responded:

• Almost 56% relied on the Cinema Programme as their source of information
• Demand is for predominantly issue-based Political and Social documentaries
• Arts and Music are popular genres
• Very little demand for Sport
• Audiences state that cinema documentaries ought to be Informative, Visual and Clear
• Realism is not considered to be the most important quality for a cinema documentary
• 56% were single
• Noticeably more females than males
• Younger audience than arthouse cinema UK-wide
• Vast majority read the UK-wide Guardian newspaper
• Characteristics of this audience seem to vary depending on segmentation

You can read more about this Audience Research in the Opening Festival Audience Research Report. Docspace will continue to explore the factors that contribute to cinema documentary attendance, in particular, and specialised cinema attendance in general. It will consider attitudes to digital cinema and alternative content (or other digital stuff). The consumption of other media such as TV, Radio and Newspapers will be also be analysed.

If you would like to know more about this work please e-mail research@docspace.org.uk.