BIFA announces first ever cinema award supported by Kia.
Nationwide campaign to celebrate cinemas. Award to be voted by audiences
BIFA is proud to announce its very first Cinema of the Year award, supported by Kia and voted for by cinemagoers.
“Nothing is quite like the communal experience of watching a film on the big screen and we want to celebrate the special cinemas around the country that are at the heart of their communities, bringing audiences together and championing independent film.”
Kia has been championing independent cinema and their communities since 2022, As a proud supporter of independent cinema and the screening of independent films, like BIFA, Kia is championing diverse and compelling stories that reach the big screen. That's why this year, Kia is proud to elevate their commitment to independent cinemas by partnering with BIFA on the first Cinema of the Year Award. This exciting new award will allow local communities to celebrate their favourite cinemas by getting behind them and voting for them to win this prestigious award celebrating the UK's best independent cinema.
Cinemas nationwide are invited to enter and tell us why their cinema is so special.
Voting amongst cinemagoers will open on 22 August and close on 22 September. A jury will then select the nominees and winner, taking into account audience votes and the cinemas’ submissions.
Five nominees will be announced on 3 November along with the rest of the nominees for BIFA 2025. Cinemagoers can vote from 3 to 24 November to decide the winner, to be revealed at the BIFA ceremony on Sunday 30 November.
“We’re so excited to announce our first ever audience award with this campaign which champions the role of cinema in independent film, not just what we watch but how and where we experience it. Cinemas are vital spaces for film discovery, access and community and we’re delighted to be able to celebrate them with this new award.”
“Film enthusiasts love celebrating their favourite movies during awards season. Now cinema-goers can also celebrate the best venues for enjoying these films. While streaming at home is convenient, nothing compares to the ‘big screen’ experience for those eager to fully immerse themselves in the latest releases, especially when these cinemas are so central to their local communities. We are excited to collaborate with the British Independent Film Awards to recognise the cinemas that provide film fans with the most memorable and enjoyable experiences.”
More information, including how to enter, is here. The BIFA Podcast, also supported by Kia, will be returning for a fifth season from August.