Having doubled its audience in the last two years and as Poole’s only independent cinema, Lighthouse has officially entered the British Independent Film Awards' (BIFA) Cinema of the Year award, supported by Kia, and is calling on its audience of cinemagoers to help secure a nomination.
In July, cinemas nationwide were invited to enter for a chance to be crowned this year’s Cinema of the Year – and now, the power is in the audience’s hands!
“Lighthouse is proud to be Poole’s only independent cinema, audiences have been visiting it in record numbers, and we’d love them to vote for us!” says Lighthouse Chief Executive Elspeth McBain.
“Being independent means we’re able to react quickly to what our audiences want and over the last year we have made our programme even more distinctive – with a new Family Films season funded by Film Hub South West, the screening of newly restored cult classics, the forthcoming RIP IT UP season of youth culture films, and hand-picked choices from Lighthouse staff in our Team Pics season.
“We also pride ourselves on a personal and warm welcome from our team and we have recently renovated our Cinema bar, making it a great place to meet with friends before the film.”
Lighthouse cinemagoers can cast their vote this summer at www.bifa.film/coty-vote.
The public vote closes on 21 September before the longlist is announced on 13 October, and five nominees will be revealed on 3 November, alongside the rest of BIFA’s 2026 Awards nominees.
From there, a specially selected jury of cinema professionals will decide the winner, to be revealed live at the BIFA ceremony on Sunday 6 December, hosted at London’s iconic Roundhouse.
BIFA directors Amy Gustin and Deena Wallace said: “The response to our first Cinema of the Year award was incredible, and we are so excited to bring it back for a second year. Last year, amazing cinemas from all over the UK entered to show just how much they mean to their local areas, and we hope to see that same brilliant support this year. This award is our way of recognising the value of independent cinemas to people and the industry, whilst celebrating the hardworking teams behind the screens and the loyal audiences who support them.”
The big screen experience is irreplaceable – and so are the cinemas that provide it. BIFA’s Cinema of the Year award celebrates the venues that go beyond showing films, forming the centrepieces of their communities and bringing people together around the films that matter.
Since 2022, Kia has been a proud champion of independent cinema and the communities that surround it. Now in its second year, their partnership with BIFA on Cinema of the Year gives audiences across the UK the chance to get behind their local and celebrate what makes it special.
Steve Hicks, Marketing Director at Kia UK Limited said: “We are proud to once again support this award and uncover the best cinema in the UK. Film enthusiasts love celebrating their favourite movies during awards season, but now they can also celebrate the best venues for enjoying these films. Nothing compares to the big screen experience for those eager to fully immerse themselves in the latest releases, especially when cinemas are so central to their local communities. We are excited to collaborate with the British Independent Film Awards to once again recognise the cinemas providing film fans with the most memorable and enjoyable experiences.”
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