Voting opens to crown the Hippodrome Bo’ness BIFA Cinema of the Year

Film lovers across the Falkirk area and further afield are being urged to vote for the Hippodrome Bo’ness, Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema, to win the British Independent Film Awards’ (BIFA) Cinema of the Year award.  

Public voting is now open for the prestigious award, supported by Kia UK, giving cinemagoers the chance to celebrate the independent cinemas that bring communities together and make watching a film on the big screen a special experience.  

The Hippodrome is calling on local residents, loyal regulars, occasional visitors, and film lovers across the country to cast their vote and help put Bo’ness in a UK-wide spotlight. Votes can be cast now at: www.bifa.film/coty-vote. The public vote closes on 22 September.  

First opened in 1912, the Hippodrome combines the atmosphere of an historic picture palace with modern projection and sound and a busy programme of new releases, independent and international films, family favourites, classics, and special events.  

A key filming location for this year’s three times BAFTA award winning movie, I Swear, based on the life of Tourette’s Syndrome campaigner, John Davidson, the Hippodrome Bo’ness is also home to HippFest, Scotland’s silent film festival with live music. The internationally renowned festival brings audiences, musicians, and film professionals to Bo’ness in March each year to celebrate silent films, while the Hippodrome programme of year-round events offers audiences distinctive ways to enjoy films together. This includes Q&As with directors, audience discussions, theme nights and the popular ‘Taste-Alongs’ which pair specially created artisan chocolates with key scenes in the films, supplied by Edinburgh chocolatier Thinking Chocolate.  

The strength of local affection for the Hippodrome was clear during last year’s Cinema of the Year campaign, with audience members describing it as a “flawless gem of a place,” “the lifeblood of the community,” and a cinema which is “not just a place to watch movies, it is an experience” and “so much more heart and soul than a multiplex.”  

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said: “The Hippodrome is one of Bo’ness’ best loved landmarks and a cinema with a place in the hearts of generations of local people. It is part of the area’s story and continues to bring people together through film, culture and shared experience.  

“With public voting now open, this is a brilliant chance to celebrate everything that makes the Hippodrome special. I hope people in Bo’ness and beyond will take a moment to vote and help show the rest of the UK how much this remarkable cinema means to our communities.”  

Once the public vote closes on 22 September, the longlist will be announced on 13 October. Five nominated cinemas will then be revealed on 3 November. A specially selected jury of cinema professionals will choose the overall winner, which will be announced at the BIFA ceremony at London’s Roundhouse on Sunday 6 December. 

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.” 

Votes can be cast for the Hippodrome to win the British Independent Film Awards’ (BIFA) Cinema of the Year now, at: www.bifa.film/coty-vote. A prize draw will run alongside the voting. Ten winners will each get a year of tickets to the cinema they voted for, paid for by BIFA and Kia, plus a drinks hamper. Voters can opt in via a box on the vote form.