Hippodrome Cinema Shortlisted for Prestigious BIFA Award
Bo'ness cinema is the sole Scottish finalist for the British Independent Film Awards Cinema of the Year, recognised for community support.
By Alasdair Buchan
••3 min read
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The Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness has been selected as one of five finalists for the prestigious British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) Cinema of the Year award, marking it as the only Scottish cinema to reach this stage.
The much-loved single-screen venue, which opened in 1912, is operated by Falkirk Council and has been recognised for its unique support of its local community. Over 70 cinemas entered the competition, with almost 50,000 public votes cast across the UK to determine the shortlist.
Scotland's oldest surviving purpose-built cinema, the Hippodrome joins four other venues in contention for the title. The winner will be announced on Sunday 6 December. The cinema's distinctive programme includes mainstream and independent films, special events, and Scotland’s only festival of silent cinema with live music, HippFest.
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"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 offerings range from big blockbusters and archive classics to unique screenings like chocolate taste-alongs. Its annual HippFest, in its 16th edition in March 2026, sold almost 4,000 tickets, attracting audiences from across Scotland, the UK, and overseas.
The cinema also maintains strong community ties, screening historic Bo’ness Fair footage and offering the New Found Sound initiative, which enables young musicians to create and perform live scores for archive silent films. Alison Strauss, Arts Development Officer, expressed gratitude for the audience votes that helped them reach the longlist.
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"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 highlighted the importance of independent cinemas to Britain's cultural identity and economic contribution. The Hippodrome has also been recognised as a filming location for the BAFTA-winning film I Swear, was named Scotland’s highest-rated cinema in 2025 based on Tripadvisor reviews, and won Best Cinema Experience at the Scottish Hospitality Awards in 2019.
The cinema participates in the BFI-supported Escapes initiative, providing free screenings to enhance film accessibility. The winner of the BIFA Cinema of the Year 2026 award will be announced at the British Independent Film Awards ceremony on Sunday 6 December.
Based on information from the official source: Falkirk Council (03/11/2026)
