Hippodrome flies the flag for Scotland as only Scottish finalist for BIFA Cinema of the Year
The Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness has been selected as one of five nominees for the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) Cinema of the Year award, supported by Kia UK.
Over 70 cinemas entered and almost 50,000 votes were cast by cinemagoers up and down the UK. The public vote has determined the shortlist of the five nominees, with the jury then picking the winner based on how each venue uniquely supports its local community.
The only Scottish cinema to make the shortlist, the Hippodrome joins Abbeygate Cinema in Bury St Edmunds, Kinema in the Woods in Lincolnshire, Campus West in Welwyn Garden City and The Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford in contention for the title.
Scotland’s oldest surviving purpose-built cinema has progressed from the 15-strong longlist announced in October, with the winner set to be revealed on Sunday 6 December.
The highly competitive award attracted almost 50,000 public votes from across the UK. The Hippodrome has now secured one of just five finalist places, with a BIFA jury selecting the winner based on what cinemas and their audiences have shared about the venues’ place in their communities.
Opened in 1912, the much-loved single-screen venue is run by Falkirk Council and combines more than a century of cinema history with a programme of mainstream and independent films, special events and Scotland’s only festival of silent cinema with live music, HippFest.
Councillor Paul Garner, Acting Leader of Falkirk Council, said:
Reaching the final five for BIFA Cinema of the Year is an outstanding achievement for the Hippodrome and puts Bo’ness firmly in the national spotlight.
“This is a cinema that means a great deal to local people, while also attracting visitors from across the world. Its success shows the contribution a venue like the Hippodrome can make to the cultural life of a town.
“Congratulations to the team and everyone who supports the cinema. We will be cheering them on when the winner is announced in December.
The Hippodrome’s distinctive programme offers everything from big blockbusters and archive classics to chocolate taste-along screenings featuring bespoke creations from a local chocolatier.
Its annual HippFest sold almost 4,000 tickets at its 16th edition in March 2026, welcoming audiences from across Scotland, the wider UK and overseas. More than a fifth of its audience stayed for multiple nights, drawn to Bo’ness by the Festival’s wide-ranging and accessible programme.
Alongside its international appeal, the cinema remains closely connected to its community. Screenings of historic Bo’ness Fair footage include films captured by its original proprietor, Louis Dickson, while its New Found Sound initiative gives young musicians the opportunity to create and perform live scores for archive silent films.
Alison Strauss, Arts Development Officer, said:
Making the final five is a wonderful moment for everyone who cares about the Hippodrome. We are particularly grateful to the audiences who voted for us and helped us reach the longlist in the first place.
“Our programme is shaped by the people who come through the doors, whether they have been visiting for years or are discovering us for the first time. We want them to feel welcome, enjoy sharing a film with others and leave curious about what they might see next.
“To see that work recognised at this level is incredibly rewarding for our team. We’re looking forward to welcoming more people to experience the Hippodrome for themselves.
Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray said:
Film is not only a vital part of Britain's cultural identity, but a major economic contributor too - and independent cinemas, that are deeply embedded in communities, sit at the very heart of that success.
“Some of our earliest and most treasured memories are made in cinemas, often sparking a lifelong love of film. It's only right that we celebrate them, so congratulations to all the deserving venues on the shortlist.
The shortlisting follows a period of continued success for the Hippodrome, which featured as a filming location in the BAFTA-winning film I Swear, based on the life of Scottish Tourette’s syndrome campaigner John Davidson.
The cinema was also named Scotland’s highest-rated cinema in 2025 in research assessing Tripadvisor reviews of 65 venues across the country, having previously won Best Cinema Experience at the Scottish Hospitality Awards in 2019.
The Hippodrome also takes part in Escapes, a nationwide initiative offering free cinema screenings to make film accessible to all, supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding.
The winner of BIFA Cinema of the Year 2026 will be announced at the British Independent Film Awards ceremony on Sunday 6 December.
For more information about the Hippodrome and its programme, visit the website.
Kia UK has been championing independent cinemas and their communities since 2022 and is a proud supporter of independent cinema and the screening of independent films. As well as supporting The BIFA Podcast, Kia is proud to continue its commitment to independent cinemas by re-partnering with BIFA on the second ever Cinema of the Year award, an exciting award where local communities can celebrate their favourite UK cinemas.
Notes to editors
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Strauss – Arts Development Officer (Film and Media) – Falkirk Council – alison.strauss@falkirk.gov.uk Mob: 07921 942230
About the Hippodrome
The Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness is a stunning pre-art deco picture palace dating back to 1912. In 2009, following a major restoration, it reopened with digital and 35mm projectors and a state-of-the-art sound system, a café and licensed bar. The Hippodrome has a year-round screening programme of new releases, family blockbusters, classics, international, independent, archive and art-house films. The cinema was awarded grants from Screen Scotland’s Cinema Equipment Fund and from the the UK Cinema Association Access Fund to further upgrade the projection, sound and access equipment. The Hippodrome was named ‘Best Cinema Experience in Scotland’ in the 2019 Scottish Hospitality Awards, shortlisted for ‘Cinema of the Year’ at the 2019 Screen Awards, and long-listed for the BIFA Cinema of the Year Award 2026.
www.hippodromecinema.co.uk
About BIFA: www.bifa.film
Follow BIFA on social:
TikTok: bifa_film Instagram: @bifa_film X @bifa_film YouTube: BritishIndependentFilmAwards
The British Independent Film Awards celebrate, promote and support talent and creativity in British independent film, to develop a rich, inclusive, and sustainable independent film culture in the UK.
Founded in 1998 by Raindance Film Festival, BIFA has championed the best and most innovative independently funded British filmmaking for over 25 years, working at the heart of the industry to nurture emerging talent, promote fair practice, and develop a broader, more inclusive audience for British independent film.
We are a Community Interest Company, driving a British independent film revival, harnessing the power of British creativity to enrich lives through independent film.
Patrons: Adrian Lester, Meera Syal, Samantha Morton. Alumni patrons: David Thewlis, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, James Nesbitt, Ken Loach, Michael Sheen, Michael Winterbottom, Mike Figgis, Ray Winstone, Tilda Swinton, Tom Hollander, Trudie Styler.