Congratulations to the Mockingbird Cinema in Birmingham for making the BIFA Cinema of the Year 15-venue UK longlist. Voters praised the Digbeth independent for its film programme, staff, events and support for filmmakers, with one calling it “the beating heart of Digbeth”.
The independent two-screen cinema in the Custard Factory works with Reel Brum, hosts Forward Film Festival and screens new releases, classics, world cinema and independent films.
Asked for a favourite memory in the award’s public vote, one contributor wrote: “My short film being played at the first ever Reel Brum event, a local filmmakers networking event. I met a lot of people that night, some of whom I have collaborated with since.”
Nearly 50,000 votes were cast by cinemagoers across the UK. The five nominees will be announced on 3 November, with the winner revealed at the BIFA ceremony on Sunday 6 December 2026.
Good luck to the team ahead of the November shortlist announcement! It’s great to see independent cinema venues getting recognition.
Why Audiences Love It
Here are some of the standout audience comments submitted during voting:
The films: “It shows everything you want to see and things you didn’t know you wanted to see.”
The staff: “The staff are super friendly and want to talk about films.”
The events: “Laughing til I cried watching Some Like it Hot with wine-tasting”
Comfort and value: “It has great snacks and comfy seats but doesn’t charge you eye watering prices to get them.”
The bar: “Great films, great staff, great local beers – what’s not to like!”
Access: “Efforts to make the cinema accessible to all including trialling headsets for hard of hearing.”
A Word From Mockingbird Cinema
Lee Nabbs at Mockingbird Cinema said:
“We’re absolutely made up. For local filmmakers, having somewhere to show your work and meet people you can work with matters. That’s why we put time into Reel Brum, Forward Film Festival and our community screenings. This work has grown here in Digbeth, with filmmakers and audiences coming back and bringing other people with them. Thank you to everyone who voted, and to the team who make it happen.”
Mockingbird Cinema Website
Thank you to Lee at the Mockingbird Cinema for providing this news.
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