Database Guide - BFI Player

The BFI Player’s subscription collection includes hundreds of British and European independent films, as well as international releases. By registering for your account through our institutional subscription, you will gain access to exclusive collections and content including ‘Kermode introduces’.

As with other streaming platforms, new films are added as others are removed and the availability of films is dependent on rights agreements with licensors. Films which are 'Currently unavailable' have reached the end of their license window. Access is limited to the subscription and free collections, so rentals and festival films or events are not included. The BFI Player cannot be used outside of the UK due to licensing agreements. 

• Go to LibrarySearch and log in at the top right of the screen: https://ulms.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/CCCU
• Select ‘Find Databases A-Z’, then click on ‘B’. Click on the link to ‘BFI Player’ or click on the link to sign up for your account '[register here]': https://player.bfi.org.uk/students

Create your account:

1. Go to https://player.bfi.org.uk/students.
2. Complete the registration form, including your university email address. Select a password and press the ‘create your account’ button. You can choose to click ‘‘I’d like to receive the newsletter’ for monthly emails with competitions, watchlists and other BFI opportunities. You will need to renew your account at the start of each academic year. Visit https://player.bfi.org.uk/students and click ‘Already have an account? Sign in’ at the bottom of the form. Now sign in with the same login and password. Then follow from step 3.
3. Select Canterbury Christ Church University from the drop-down list. You will be redirected to your institution’s login page. Please enter your Canterbury Christ Church University username and password. You’ll then be taken back to your BFI Player subscription home page, and you are all set up! In future, you can login at https://player.bfi.org.uk/sign-in using the same email address and password that you used when you created your account.

How do I use BFI Player?

Once logged in, hover over the ‘Subscription’ tab and you can select different categories to navigate through the collections (e.g. genre, recently added and popular). You can also find collections created by BFI expert curators, whether they are cultural, award-winning, by a renowned director or they represent a landmark moment in film. Some collections tie in with BFI events like BFI Flare LGBTQIA+ festival and The BFI London Film Festival, while others with themes including Black History Month. You can also explore Mark Kermode's popular film discussion show.

To find a specific film, use the search box by clicking on the ‘magnifying glass’ icon on the top right of the screen. You can type the exact title and if the film is available, you will see one result. You can add titles to your watchlist, activate closed captions and find related films by scrolling to the bottom of the page.

Alternatively, you can hover over the subscription tab, then click on ‘A-Z’ or you can use keywords in the search box. These approaches will often retrieve lots of results and you can select various filters on the left (availability, genre, accessibility, etc.) to find the most relevant films for your search.

Streaming to your device or TV:

BFI Player app is now available on:

• Amazon Fire TV
• Apple TV
• Android TV
• LG TVs (2019-2024)

You can cast films to Chromecast devices from your Chrome browser. You can also watch films on your TV by plugging your laptop or computer into your TV or projector via an HDMI cable (your device and cable must be HDCP compliant).

Try searching BFI Player by following the steps outlined below. You’ll practice using some of the most common functions and be ready to search for films for your research.

1. Before you begin, create an account by following the instructions above (‘How do I use it?’).
2. Sign in at https://player.bfi.org.uk/sign-in using the email address and password that you used to create your account.
3. Finding a film: Go to the search button on the top right which is represented by a magnifying glass. Type a simple keyword, e.g. ‘women’, in the search box. At the top of the results, you will see three tabs which divide the films between ‘Rentals’, which are not covered by your subscription, ‘Subscription’ and ‘Free’ collections. Select ‘Subscription’ and then select filters from the left, e.g. click on ‘comedy’ under ‘genre’. Once you see a film that interests you, click on it and browse the details on the page (an overview, trailer, production details, related films).
4. Selecting from the subscription collection: Hover over the subscription tab at the top of the page, select ‘Kermode Introduces’. Browse through the films and select one that interests you. Now click on the ‘Kermode Introduces’ button and you should see the episode begin.
5. Reflect on how you can use BFI Player in your research, creative practice and for your assignments.

Access BFI Player and scroll to the footer at the bottom of the webpage where you will find a link to information on accessibility in the ‘Information’ list.

https://player.bfi.org.uk/accessibility 

Your Learning and Research Librarian will be able to help you make the best use of online resources. For detailed guidance, book a tutorial via the Learning Skills Hub.