FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SHOWFILMFIRST −V− SEEFILMFIRST?
ShowFilmFirst (also trading as SeeFilmFirst) is operated by SeeFilmFirst Ltd.   We run both sites but emails are usually sent from ShowFilmFirst, so please ensure that you've added the address administrator@showfilmfirst.com to your safe senders list and that your details are correct on www.showfilmfirst.com

WHY DO SHOWFILMFIRST HAVE PREVIEWS?
The best recommendation for a film is word of mouth. If you have seen a film and you tell a friend "it's great, go see it!", that is a very strong recommendation.  Therefore a film distributor will often want the target audience to see a film before it opens in order that they recommend it to their friends to see it when it does.

A good example of this was Slumdog Millionaire, which Showfilmfirst were very proud to share with their members up to ten weeks before it opened, and it went on to be very successful!

This is why it's so important that we have the target audience to films, and why you may not be emailed about every film/show even though you are a member.

WILL EAS TEXT ALERTS BE AVAILABLE?
Yes, due to popular request we are maintaining this service.

WHAT SHOWS HAVE YOU HAD TICKETS FOR IN THE PAST?
Our service is confidential and we don't talk about specific shows.   Suffice to say, we have had a lot of very happy people seeing things they didn't think they'd get to see through us!  These include Comedy Nights, Classical Concerts, theatre shows, outdoor events and pop concerts.

We have all kinds of events, particularly in London. Previously we have had West End shows, fringe comedy/Edinburgh warm ups, Festivals, Opera, Ballet, "above the pub" theatre and even world wide superstars in major arenas.  Often at short notice and limited availability, we can guarantee a wide variety.

WHY DO NEWSLETTER OFFERS GO SO FAST?
As we have a big membership, sometimes offers are filled very quickly and it is first-come first-served. To ensure that we keep this fair, newsletters are sent to members in a different order each time, to give everyone a chance.

WHERE ARE THEATRE TICKETS FOR?
Many of our events are in London but we are getting more requests from around the country and we are looking to expand this area.

WHY DO SHOWFILMFIRST TICKET SHOWS & EVENTS?
We get asked to put an audience into concerts, shows, and other events so that the producers can get our feedback. For you, this means complimentary tickets, but we need to be sure that you will let us have feedback (in short survey sent after the event), and, that we can be assured of your discretion as other members of the audience will have paid a lot of money for their tickets.

We also get tickets for previews, press shows and other performances where a full house gives the best effect - especially if it's a comedy or musical where you really need a big audience to get the right atmosphere. Another reason for getting tickets is when a theatre has had a revamp or is looking to show it off and encourage people to visit again!

ARE THERE ANY RULES FOR SHOW TICKETS?
Whatever the reason for getting the tickets, we rely on you to represent ShowFilmFirst and the membership. Please be polite to the Box-Office staff and respect the ticket collection directions - i.e., don't call the theatre direct or demand particular seats or alternatives - you will be offered tickets that have been allocated to you.

Etiquette:  For shows, you will often be sitting next to people that have paid a lot of money for their tickets.  To ensure we get tickets for our members, please be discreet at all times and polite to box-office staff.

Showfilmfirst issue vouchers - actual tickets are allocated on arrival.   The box-office staff are very influential in determining which shows we get tickets for, so the more they like our members, the more tickets we will get!

Contact Arrangements:  All tickets are obtained through a private arrangement with the venue or producers and Showfilmfirst - under no circumstances should the venues be contacted directly.

Special Requirements:  There is no specific seating availability so special requests cannot be accommodated and all tickets are offered in accordance with our Terms and Conditions. Courtesy: Please note that any reports of members being rude to box-office staff, or of members sending abusive emails to our helpdesk will result in loss of membership.

WHEN WILL I START RECEIVING OFFERS?
You will receive early offers as soon as we have something in your area. For some films or shows we have a brief to show as widely as possible, to all audiences. For others, there may be a specific audience that we are asked to target, so it's important that you keep your details and preferences up to date to ensure that you are invited to the films that you are most likely to enjoy!

HOW MANY TICKETS CAN I DOWNLOAD?
As with other Showfilmfirst offerings, you can download up to 2 tickets for an adult film, up to 4 for family films.

WHERE WILL THE PREVIEWS BE?
We can never tell exactly where and when screenings will be but they are usually with multiplex chains. London venues and major cities are always the most popular choice.  If you don't live near a cinema falling into these categories, we don't recommend you joining.

WHY DON'T YOU ENCOURAGE CODE SHARING?
This is really unfair and we (and most of the membership) struggle to understand why people do this.  Why post the code anonymously, and stop other members getting tickets, for the sake of giving them to strangers who wont even thank you?!

When we trace people doing this, we cancel their membership, and we appreciate help from other members in tracking down these people - it's pointless, and stops you getting tickets!

WHAT IF I DON'T RECEIVE ANY OFFERS?
We will refund your money if you don't have any tickets in the first year. So, membership is only the cost of two normal price cinema tickets.

TERMS & CONDITIONS STATE 'SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY'. DOES THIS MEAN I AM NOT GUARANTEED A SEAT?
In order to minimize the effect of "no-shows" (members who are booked into a preview but who do not turn up), and to allow as many people as possible to attend the preview, Showfilmfirst and most major ticketing systems may overbook services.

Whilst we make every effort to provide seats for all bookings made, there is a slight chance that a seat will not be available, or that two adjacent seats may not be available for a pair of tickets, and no absolute guarantee of seat availability is given.

However, to put this into perspective, there are less than one in 10,000 previews oversubscribed, so it is very rare and usually due to circumstances beyond our control, such as an incorrect screen being used.

GOT ANOTHER QUESTION?
Please contact EAS@showfilmfirst.com