Campus West takes the national spotlight as Cinema of the Year finalist
Campus West is celebrating a place among five finalists for the 2026 British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) Cinema of the Year awards.
Over 70 cinemas entered for the competition with almost 50,000 votes cast by cinemagoers up and down the UK. The public vote determined the shortlist for the five nominees for the Cinema of the Year award, with a BIFA jury then selecting the winner of the award based on how each venue uniquely supports its local community.
The five nominees were announced on 3 November, with the winner to be revealed at the annual BIFA awards ceremony on Sunday 6 December.
This nomination comes after Campus West won Best Entertainment and Leisure Business at the Welwyn Garden City BID awards in September.
Councillor Max Holloway, Executive Member for Community and Leisure said:
I am delighted that Campus West has been nominated as one of only five cinemas across the UK for BIFA’s Cinema of the Year award. We are lucky to have such a wonderful entertainment venue like Campus West in our borough. This nomination is all the more pleasing because it is as a result of the people who visit and support Campus West voting for the venue. We are passionate about bringing film, entertainment and cultural experiences to our local community, and this nomination is a fantastic reflection of the hard work and dedication of the team at Campus West, as well as the continued support of our residents and visitors. Following our recent success at the Welwyn Garden City BID awards, it’s wonderful to see Campus West receiving national recognition! I would like to send my congratulations to all of the team at Campus West and wish them best wishes at the awards ceremony in December.
Creative Industries Minister, Ian Murray MP, 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.
Visit the Campus West website to book cinema tickets and much more.