Vale Cinema Vies for BIFA’s Cinema of the Year Award
A Vale of Glamorgan Council-owned cinema at the historic Penarth Pier has been nominated for BIFA’s Cinema of the Year Award.
Returning for a second year, the awards give cinemagoers across the UK the chance to vote for their favourite cinema, with the public deciding who takes home the coveted title.
The nomination comes after a successful and busy period for the cinema at Penarth Pier Pavilion. Earlier this year, the cinema announced that it would be moving to a full-time operation, offering more than 15 screenings across five days each week.
Since the Vale of Glamorgan Council took control of Penarth Pier Pavilion in early 2021, the cinema has established itself as a popular destination for filmgoers, adding to the range of attractions on offer at the historic landmark.
The award nomination recognises the cinema’s growing popularity and its contribution to the local community.
Cinemas nationwide were invited to enter the awards in July, with a chance to be crowned this year’s Cinema of the Year.
The public vote closes on 22 September, the longlist will be 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.
Max Martin, Cinematic Events Assistant at Penarth Pier Cinema said: "Penarth Pier Pavilion Cinema is not just a cinema it’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else. As the Vale of Glamorgan’s only full-time cinema, we bring together the very best of independent, arthouse and blockbuster films from Wales and around the world, all in one of the UK’s most unique cinematic settings. We’re passionate about putting great films at the heart of our community and creating memorable experiences for everyone who walks through our doors. A Cinema of the Year nomination is a huge celebration of what we’ve built together and we’d love your vote to help put Penarth, our community and our extraordinary seaside cinema firmly on the map!"
Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Cabinet Member for Education, the Arts and the Welsh Language said: “Having our own independent cinema here in the Vale of Glamorgan is a real privilege, and it is important that we continue to support and celebrate it. The cinema has become an important part of the cultural offering at Penarth Pier Pavilion, providing a fantastic space for people of all ages to enjoy film while contributing to the vibrancy of the area.
“Being nominated for BIFA’s Cinema of the Year Award is a fantastic recognition of the hard work that goes into making the cinema such a success. It is wonderful to see a cinema based here in the Vale being recognised alongside venues from across the UK.
“The nomination also provides a great opportunity to showcase the Vale of Glamorgan as a destination and shine a light on the fantastic arts, culture and heritage venues we have across the county. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved at Penarth Pier Pavilion and of the role the cinema continues to play in our local community.”
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.”