ActOne Needs Your Vote to Become Cinema of the Year
The category has been introduced this year in the BIFA awards
ActOne cinema opened four years ago
September 17, 2025
ActOne Cinema in Acton has entered the running for the British Independent Film Awards’ (BIFA) first-ever Cinema of the Year award, a new category designed to spotlight independent venues that serve as cultural and community anchors across the UK.
The award, supported by Kia, is part of BIFA’s broader effort to celebrate not just the films themselves, but the spaces where audiences gather to experience them. It recognises cinemas that champion independent film, foster local engagement, and offer a distinctive big-screen experience. Voting is open to the public until 22 September, with audience support playing a key role in determining the shortlist.
ActOne, a community-led cinema housed in the former Acton Library, has quickly become a local favourite since opening in 2021. With its intimate screening rooms, diverse programming, and emphasis on accessibility, the venue has positioned itself as more than just a place to watch films—it’s a hub for cultural exchange and civic pride.
Amanda Mason of the ActOne team said, “We’re thrilled to be part of this national celebration of independent cinema. ActOne was built by and for the community, and this nomination is a chance to show how much local film culture matters.”
The BIFA award process involves two rounds of public voting. The first, running through September, helps determine five nominees. A jury will also consider written submissions from each cinema detailing their impact and uniqueness. Final voting takes place in November, with the winner announced at the BIFA ceremony on 30 November.
The award is open to cinemas of all sizes, and votes are weighted to account for venue capacity and local population, ensuring smaller cinemas like ActOne are fairly represented. Participating venues receive promotional materials to encourage voting, and shortlisted nominees will be featured in a national campaign led by BIFA and Kia.
BIFA directors Amy Gustin and Deena Wallace described the award as a way to honour “the role of cinema in independent film—not just what we watch but how and where we experience it”. Kia’s marketing director Steve Hicks added that the initiative aims to celebrate “the best venues for enjoying films,” especially those that remain central to their communities.
ActOne’s bid reflects a wider movement to preserve and promote independent cinemas amid changing viewing habits and industry pressures. Whether through film festivals, community screenings, or educational outreach, venues like ActOne continue to prove that cinema is not just entertainment—it’s a shared experience with lasting local impact.
Voting for ActOne is open via the BIFA Cinema of the Year portal.
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