Five cinemas across the country have been selected for the British Independent Film Awards’ (BIFA) Cinema of the Year award shortlist, supported by Kia UK.

Nearly 50,000 people voted for their favourite local cinemas in this year’s BIFA Cinema of the Year award, with a new generation of filmgoers and close knit communities fuelling a revival in independent cinemas across the country.

Votes came from every corner of the UK, from Thurso on Scotland’s far north coast to Newlyn in Cornwall. Many of those who voted described their local cinema as a foundational part of their community, valued as much for its role in the town as for the films it shows.

Independent cinemas have battled back from the pandemic amid rising costs, with some much-loved venues closing for good, but audiences are now returning in force. A renewed love of film, and of the shared experience of watching it on the big screen, is bringing people back to their local venues, and the scale of this year’s vote shows just how much these spaces mean to their communities.

The nominees are:

Abbeygate Cinema, Bury St Edmunds
Campus West, Welwyn Garden City
Hippodrome Cinema, Bo’ness
The Kinema in the Woods, Woodhall Spa
The Ultimate Picture Palace, Oxford

What cinemagoers said:

“[My favourite memory is] the warm welcome when I arrived in Bury St Edmunds as a stranger one Christmas. A glass of mulled wine and a mince pie to take in with me, friendly faces and a film I’d always wanted to see.” — voter, Abbeygate Cinema

“They are so good about wheelchair users – often knowing them by name and ensuring they have the same experience as anyone else. It’s a real town cinema.” — voter, Campus West

“Watching Jaws on the big screen for the first time (and I’m in my 50s) and being the only one in the cinema to scream at the celebrated scary moment. Everyone (including me) laughed!” — voter, Hippodrome Cinema

“I’m 80 and I’ve been going to the Kinema since I was 5!… My favourite memory is when I took my grandson for the first time and his excitement at seeing the Compton organ rise out of the pit. He was spellbound!” — voter, The Kinema in the Woods

“I’d gone on my own, but the UPP has such a strong sense of community that I felt like I was in a room full of friends.” — voter, The Ultimate Picture Palace

The winner will be decided by a specialist jury and revealed at the annual ceremony on Sunday 6 December. Almost 50,000 people voted for the award this year, which has provided a substantial boost for cinema engagement across the UK.

Creative Industries Minister, Ian Murray, said: “Film is not only a vital part of Britain’s cultural identity, but a major economic contributor too – and independent cinemas, that are deeply embedded in communities, sit at the very heart of that success. Some of our earliest and most treasured memories are made in cinemas, often sparking a lifelong love of film. It’s only right that we celebrate them, so congratulations to all the deserving venues that have been nominated.”

Kia UK has been championing independent cinemas and their communities since 2022 and is a proud supporter of independent cinema and the screening of independent films. As well as supporting The BIFA Podcast, Kia is proud to continue its commitment to independent cinemas by re-partnering with BIFA on the second ever Cinema of the Year award, an exciting award which allows local communities to celebrate their favourite UK cinemas.

About BIFA:
The British Independent Film Awards celebrate, promote and support talent and creativity in British independent film, to develop a rich, inclusive, and sustainable independent film culture in the UK.

Founded in 1998 by Raindance Film Festival, BIFA has championed the best and most innovative independently funded British filmmaking for nearly 30 years, working at the heart of the industry to nurture emerging talent, promote fair practice, and develop a broader, more inclusive audience for British independent film.

We are a Community Interest Company, driving a British independent film revival, harnessing the power of British creativity to enrich lives through independent film.

Patrons: Adrian Lester, Meera Syal, Samantha Morton. Alumni patrons: David Thewlis, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, James Nesbitt, Ken Loach, Michael Sheen, Michael Winterbottom, Mike Figgis, Ray Winstone, Tilda Swinton, Tom Hollander, Trudie Styler.