A year on from the launch of BFI Player has received a make-over.
The BFI (British Film Institute) has worked closely with Ostmodern, a digital product design consultancy, to create a bespoke product that enables the BFI to expand and enrich its unique content and services.
Following an in-depth consultation with 1,000 BFI Player users, the UI and UX has been optimised to showcase the range and quality of the 1,400 films.
Throughout November BFI Player will be dedicated to some of the best Sci-Fi movies ever created including a new catalogue of movies from Universal Pictures. The collection, Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder presented together with O2, includes Flash Gordon, and other classics like The Day The Earth Caught Fire.
With 70% of premium content captured in HD, many of the movies and content on BFI Player have been restored by the BFI to return these classic stories to their former glory. At launch 60% of the content will be available for free with premium content making up 40% of the catalogue. Prices for premium content range from £1 for shorts with features starting at £2.50 and a range of titles released day-and-date with cinemas priced at up to £10.
Viewers will have 30 days to watch their purchase and a 48 hour window to re-watch movies once they are first viewed. As well as a 15% discount on all rentals, BFI Members will have access to exclusive offers. The first of these is a hand-selected film which members can watch for free to celebrate the new BFI Player.
Edward Humphrey, Director of Digital at the BFI said: “BFI Player is uniquely placed to join the dots of film, taking audiences on an expertly curated journey from the very earliest films to the very latest releases. Growing audiences for British independent and specialised films is core to everything the BFI does and we recognise that audiences are seldom offered a real diversity of choice in the on-demand market. The revamped BFI Player continues our path towards a richer, more rewarding digital film experience for UK audiences.”
Tom Williams, UX Director at Ostmodern said: “We are pleased to have worked with the BFI to create the new BFI Player with a rich and rewarding user experience which closely reflects the strategic direction of the BFI’s unique cultural and commercial mission. We have put user experience and curation at the heart of the product, equipping the BFI with flexible and sophisticated editing tools that make the most of their passion and unique heritage and new film content. This enables them to curate groups and collections that dovetail with genres, interests, special events, seasons and festivals throughout the year.”
