EXCLUSIVE: The British Independent Film Awards (Bifas) is introducing a cinema of the year award to celebrate UK cinemas.
Cinemas across the country must detail why their venue is special in their entry. An initial vote will be open to the public from August 22 to September 22.
A Bifa jury will then select five nominees, taking into account the public votes and cinema submissions.
The nominees will be announced on November 3 with the full Bifa nominations, with a combination of further public vote from November 3-24 and the jury then selecting the winner, which will be revealed at the Bifa ceremony on Sunday, November 30.
The award is part of a Bifa campaign to celebrate “the special cinemas around the country that are at the heart of their communities, bringing audiences together and championing independent film”, said a Bifa statement.
The campaign “champions the role of cinema in independent film, not just what we watch but how and where we experience it,” added Bifa directors Amy Gustin and Deena Wallace. “Cinemas are vital spaces for film discovery, access and community.”
The award is backed by car manufacturer Kia. “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,” said Steve Hicks, managing director at Kia UK.
The award joins existing Bifa categories including best British independent film, best director, and four performance awards including breakthrough performance.
The 2025 Bifas will take place at London’s Camden Roundhouse venue for the second consecutive year; with the ceremony recently securing the location through until 2027.