Pocket Films

Who is Pocket Films?

Pocket Films Ltd. is a small, London-based publisher of film guides that are free, pocketable and user-friendly. Our mission is to present basic film and cinema information through innovative formats that are more convenient and easier to access than conventional publications.

We have recently joined forces with BBC Worldwide to expand the ‘pocket’ concept and introduce more guides.

What does Pocket Films publish?

Our main title, Pocket Films CALENDAR, is now the largest circulating film and DVD guide in the UK, with a print run of 1,100,000 copies. The guide provides an easy-to-digest overview of upcoming films and DVDs. Published in association with RadioTimes, CALENDAR is distributed inside the magazine once a month, as well as 50 London cinemas, offices and colleges.

Our other guides include the LONDON CINEMA MAP, Pocket Films COLLECTOR, Pocket Films CINEMA and the SCREENING ROOM MAP. Our web site, pocketfilms.com provides an overview of upcoming films and DVDs, as well as links for other film-related information.

How was Pocket Films started?

The ‘pocket film’ concept grew out of a dissatisfaction that the company founder, Tony Franks, had with conventional cinema listings. Living in New York in the mid-1990s and an ardent cinema-goer, Tony realised that conventional cinema listings were lacking in several ways. Most popular printed listings were buried inside newspapers or magazines that were often bulky, expensive and difficult to cross-reference.

He set about redesigning Manhattan’s cinema listings in a format that was free, easy to carry around and simple to use. In 1997, after producing hundreds of prototypes, the first issue of Pocket Flicks was published and distributed throughout Manhattan.

How has Pocket Films grown?

In 1999 the listings guide came to London and were renamed Pocket Films. Additional film guides were developed, each one designed to improve some particular aspect of film/cinema information. For instance, THE LONDON CINEMA MAP provides a simple graphic overview of the location and contact details for 100+ London cinemas.

In 2004, after a long search for a sympathetic publishing partner, a close association with the BBC was started, resulting in the development of Pocket Films CALENDAR, the film and DVD supplement for RadioTimes.

Small is Beautiful…

Pocket Films remain a small, customer-focused company committed to developing new ways to improve the presentation of film information. We are always striving to create innovative products to address gaps in the market. In late-2006 we will be launching some new web and mobile phone based services; click here if you want more details sent to you.