Claire Binns, creative director of film exhibition company Picturehouse Cinemas and its distribution arm Picturehouse Entertainment, will be presented with the BAFTA Award for Contribution to British Cinema at next month’s BAFTA Film Awards.
The award is given to an individual or organization that has “made a significant contribution to film through a specific project or work.”
BAFTA said: “Over the past 40 years and beyond, Claire has built an exceptional reputation in the British film industry by championing diverse and strong independent work on big screens across the UK.”
It added: “Claire has spearheaded countless initiatives to bring new audiences to our cinemas and put them at the heart of our local communities, including relaxed programming, parent-child, over-60s and dog-friendly screenings.”
“She has also overseen the expansion of Picturehouse’s work, including collaborations with Poetic Unity at Brixton Soup Kitchen and the Ritzy Cinema. Additionally, under her leadership, Refuge, the UK’s leading charity for victims of domestic abuse, has become Picturehouse’s charity partner, holding regular fundraising events and raising awareness of its work.”
Emily Stillman, Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, said: “Claire Binns’ influence on the British film industry is immeasurable. She is an immensely talented and beloved visionary. Claire’s unwavering commitment to bringing diverse storytelling to the big screen, her belief in the power of film, and her continued work championing emerging independent filmmakers are inspirational.”
Director Binns said: “When I heard I had won this award I was absolutely blown away. I’m so excited not just for myself but for everyone who has worked with me throughout my career and who continues to support our mission to welcome audiences into local cinemas across the UK and work to give films the home they deserve.”
Binns’ film career began in the early 1980s as a movie theater usher. After rising to the rank of projectionist and manager at London’s Ritzy Cinema, he ran a network of UK cinemas under Zoo Cinemas before joining Picturehouse in 2003.
Through her leadership role at Picturehouse, she has “deftly balanced a passion for film culture with commercial interests, boldly steering one of Britain’s leading film and distribution companies through an ever-changing industry landscape, presenting blockbusters alongside arthouse films,” BAFTA said.
She was also “a driving force behind strengthening the UK film festival circuit”, forming a partnership with London’s Sundance and establishing its successor, Picturehouse Create. Outside of London, she has supported the establishment of several Picturehouse cinemas as key venues for local and international film festivals.
The British Academy Film Awards ceremony will be hosted by Alan Cumming on February 22nd.
