Vote for us to be Shortlisted for BIFA Cinema of the Year

The British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) has launched its very first Cinema of the Year award, voted for by cinemagoers – and we need your help to get Watershed shortlisted!

We are up against over 130 other great UK cinemas but we hope with your help we can get into the final shortlisted five. Vote for us now – we’ve got four weeks to get to that top five!

Why should Watershed win BIFA Cinema of the Year?

• We are regularly one of the top cinemas in the country for new independent and international films (thanks to all of you)
• We care about making Watershed as welcoming, inclusive and accessible as we can. Our building is accessible, our staff are BSL trained, we have award-winning public toilets for everyone and we run an accessible programme of screenings, events and exhibitions
• Cinema Rediscovered has recently been hailed as “the finest repertory festival in the UK”
• We profile and nurture filmmaking talent at all stages in their career
• We collaborate with partners in the local community and provide a safe space for grassroots and community groups to meet
• We keep our prices low – anyone under 25 can get a ticket at any time for just £6
• In 2019 we declared a climate emergency and are committed to reducing our carbon emissions
• The food and drink in our Café & Bar celebrates great local suppliers
• We support over 200 creatives to make work in the Pervasive Media Studio

Simply vote online here – it’s super easy and quick.

Voting is open from now until 22 Sept, following which a BIFA jury will handpick five nominees, taking into account audience votes and our written submission.

When the nominations are announced on 3 Nov, there will be another public vote between 3 and 24 Nov which will determine the eventual winner (which will be announced at the BIFA Ceremony on 30 Nov).

Clare Reddington, Watershed CEO, said:

“Winning the BIFA Cinema of the Year award would mean the world to us – it would celebrate and recognise the hard work of all our brilliant staff and provide a huge shout out that you can combine a brilliant programme with values, access AND a commitment to new talent. Please make our day and show us some love!”