Newcastle Community Cinema support appeal

Newcastle Community Cinema support appeal

3 September 2025

NEWCASTLE Community Cinema is calling on local people for votes in the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) inaugural Cinema of the Year award.

In July, cinemas nationwide were invited to enter and tell BIFA why their cinema is so special. 

Newcastle Community Cinema was started in 2009 by a group of frustrated film fans who wanted a local alternative to commercial multiplex cinema offerings.

Supported by organisations such NI Screen, Film Hub NI and Cinema for All, the NCC volunteers screened films in local venues from time to time.

In 2015 it took up a lease at St Mary’s Hall on Main Street, Newcastle where the volunteers fixed up a screen and projection and installed raked cinema seats.

NCC has gone from strength to strength since its nomadic days. It is still managed and supported by dedicated volunteers.

Thanks to grant funding, it employs two members of staff, Giles Conlon and Vera Edelstein, who run the day-to-day events. 

Each month, NCC screens eight films and presents a diverse range of entertainment, arts and community events.

As well as films, NCC is proud to host the monthly NCC markets, live music, comedy nights, quiz nights, boxing, wrestling and club celebrations, as well as a choir, martial arts and special interest groups.

Newcastle Community Cinema chair Rob Manley said the BIFA award was an “amazing opportunity” for NCC to showcase what they do and “rub shoulders with the giants in UK cinema presentation”.

He continued: “We take the word community in our name very seriously. NCC is more than a cinema and we provide not only regular independent film screenings but also people-focused film events.” 

Voting has now opened and closes on September 22. A specially selected jury will then select the nominees, taking into account audience votes and the cinema’s submissions.

To vote for Newcastle Community Cinema go to www.bifa.film/coty-vote/newcastlecommunitycinema.

Five nominees will be announced on November 3 along with the rest of BIFA’s 2025 awards nominees. The winner will be revealed at the BIFA ceremony on Sunday, November 30.