Award Winning Independent Cinema

Plymouth Arts Cinema (PAC) is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £150,000 in funding from the British Film Institute Audience Projects Fund, for the three years from April 2026 – March 2029. 

This award demonstrates a very welcome level of commitment from the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, for the work PAC does in bringing the best in independent cinema to Plymouth. The award marks a significant investment in the city. PAC is also supported by Plymouth City Council.

PAC will build on its reputation as a centre of excellence, in programming, its ability to stimulate audiences for cultural cinema and its contribution to UK-wide conversations about the significance and impact of cinema. The organisation has a legacy of almost 80 years in Plymouth.

As the only independent cinema covering a wide area of South West of England between Totnes and Falmouth, Plymouth Arts Cinema is based at Arts University Plymouth and embedded within the local community. 

The funding will help PAC to work with audiences who are often unable to access cinema for reasons which include social isolation and affordability and to fulfil its aim to ensure that cinema is accessible for everyone, no matter their age or background. 

PAC will be able to not only continue, but to expand its work with schools, community groups and creative partners in the city to help make sure Plymouth’s cultural life stays vibrant and relevant to all of the people who live here. 

Plymouth Arts Cinema works closely with charity partners and cultural organisations across Plymouth, including The Box, Plymouth Culture and Fotonow.

PAC Director and Film Programmer Anna Navas said, “We are so grateful for the confidence BFI has shown in the work we do. This funding means we can look forward to the future of independent cinema and working with audiences and colleagues across the city to make sure Plymouth continues to be the vibrant creative space we all love so much.”

Paul Brookes, Chair of the PAC Board, said “This is such good news. To have attracted this national investment of £50,000 a year for the next three years into the city demonstrates the importance of the cinema to the British Film Institute but also the role of the city council. Without Plymouth City Council’s support, this award would not have been possible.”