Oxford cinema shortlisted as UK's best as it fights for future

One of the UK's oldest independent cinemas has been shortlisted for a prestigious award recognising the best in the country.

On Tuesday, the Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP) in Oxford was revealed as one of five nominees for the 2026 Cinema of the Year award at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).

More than 70 cinemas across the country entered the competition, with nearly 50,000 votes cast by cinemagoers.

The UPP was first founded in 1911 and is one of the UK's oldest purpose-built cinemas, but the nomination comes as it fights for its long-term future .

Those nominating the cinema for the award said it was a "beautiful, lovingly cared for" site that was "committed to the celebration of film in all its forms".

"The UPP is a gem that must continue to be protected and preserved for all to enjoy for many years to come," another added.

Since it was founded , the cinema has been screening a mix of independent, international and classic films in its single-screen auditorium.

It reopened in 1997 after a brief closure in 1994 and has operated as one of the UK's oldest purpose-built cinemas.

The cinema became community-owned in 2022 when 1,200 residents took a stake in it and raised £366,585.

Alastair Phillips, chair of the UPP, said the BIFA nomination "proves how important the Ultimate Picture Palace is, not just to our large and diverse Oxford audience but to the whole nation".

"We genuinely hope to secure the future of this very special cinema in the home which was built for it, for generations to come," he added.

Despite the award recognition, the cinema said it faced an "uncertain future" with its landlord, Oriel College, "currently unwilling to commit to its long-term future in the building".

Its current lease runs until 2037, which the UPP said was "too short" to secure funding for much-needed work to modernise the building.

More than 24,000 people have so far signed a petition calling for Oriel College to secure the future of the cinema.

Earlier this year, the University of Oxford college said it had "no plans to extend the lease at this early stage" in the tenancy, which began in 2022.

"We are very proud of our heritage cinema and are in dialogue with the new managers about how to ensure it remains open to the wider public," it added.

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