{"id":43512,"date":"2025-11-07T11:49:50","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T11:49:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/?p=43512"},"modified":"2026-06-10T21:32:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T20:32:29","slug":"watershed-nominated-for-cinema-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/2025\/11\/07\/watershed-nominated-for-cinema-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Watershed nominated for cinema of the year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Watershed, Harbourside<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bristol Based cinema Watershed<\/a> has been nominated for the first ever British Independent Film Awards (BIFA)<\/a> Cinema of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some 100,000 voters determined Watershed’s nomination alongside four other independent cinemas.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BIFA launched the cinema of the year award this year as an outlet for local communities to show support for their favourite cinemas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watershed opened its doors in 1982, and has been serving the community ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watershed CEO Clare Reddington explained how community and accessibility have always been at the heart of Watershed\u2019s culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Clare Reddington, Watershed CEO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe work really closely with the deaf community at Watershed. We have something called deaf conversations about cinema once a month that is specifically for the deaf community,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey watch a film that\u2019s part of our main programme, and then there\u2019s a conversation that takes place in British Sign Language in the bar outside (\u2026) 4 members of Watershed staff learn BSL every year\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nomination comes as a big boost to independent cinema in Bristol following the news last year of plans to open a huge new Odeon cinema in Cabot Circus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For smaller, independent cinemas competing with larger companies can be difficult. Clare told us that awards can serve as motivation to keep providing a much-appreciated alternative to the big chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLittle bumps like this, which recognise what we do and kind of allow us to shout about it, are really gratefully received.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But larger companies aren\u2019t the only threat to independent cinema. Clare shared with us how the team at Watershed navigate the landscape of the industry in the streaming age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWatershed tries not to compete with streaming, because that\u2019d be quite a silly thing to do. They\u2019ve got loads more money than us, and loads more reach than us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat we do see, is that if Watershed shows a film that will then be streamed more people find it on the streaming platform. So actually, there\u2019s a really good collaboration that can happen from local places that celebrate film culture and mass online distribution platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf we show something, and then Netflix show it; we both do better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cinema attendance is still a far cry from where it was pre-pandemic, but trends show that film-goers are increasing by about 3 million year-on-year, up from 117 million in 2022 to 126 million in 2024, as per UK Cinema Association.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vote for the winner of the shortlist is currently open and closes at 11pm on Tuesday November 25. The winner will be announced at the BIFA ceremony on November 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udd41 Meet the nominees for BIFA\u2019s Cinema of the Year award, supported by Kia:

@lewesdepot<\/a>, @thetywyncinema<\/a>, Montrose Playhouse, @qftbelfast<\/a> & @wshed<\/a>.

\ud83d\uddf3\ufe0f Help decide the winner & vote at https:\/\/t.co\/tIeKTBVnug<\/a>.

\ud83d\udce3 Voting closes on 25 Nov. pic.twitter.com\/tApKnvDFXN<\/a><\/p>— BIFA (@BIFA_film) November 3, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>