One of the greatest independent cinemas in Britain is just an hour from London

Grab your popcorn: the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) has just revealed its shortlist for the Cinema of the Year 2025, and one of the final five is only an hour away from London.

BIFA was established in 1998 to celebrate all of the time and passion that goes into independent film in the UK, from concept to set to the editing suite, and now, for the first time ever, right to point of distribution. This year it has introduced an award for Cinema of the Year, as voted for by you.

The organisation is particularly interested in breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive industry, so all of the nominated cinemas have made substation commitments to their communities, sustainability, and accessibility. 130 indie movie theatres entered, but only five made it into the shortlist.

One of the finalists, the Depot Cinema, is in Lewes, a cute East Sussex town which Time Out previously described as ‘the sleepier, quainter, more poetic neighbour to Brighton’. BIFA aren’t the first to recognise the cinema’s excellence – we also named attending one of Depot’s three annual film festivals as one of the best things to do in the town.

As well as screening all the blockbusters and must-see releases that every cinema does, Depot makes an effort to showcase smaller independent films, as well as opera, ballet, and theatre screenings. It also hosts frequent events, for instance the upcoming Phantom of the Opera Soirée, where punters will be treated to a full ‘Phantom-inspired’ three course meal following the original 1925 film (this one’s silent – sorry to disappoint any Andrew Lloyd Webber fans).

The cinema’s founder, Carmen Slijpen, said that the team is ‘over the moon’ at the nomination, which is ‘a direct result of the whole community rallying together to celebrate the venue’. She is now once again calling on the people of Lewes, or any film-fanatics who have enjoyed a night at Depot, to cast a vote in its favour. 

Anyone can vote for Cinema of the Year. All you have to do is fill in this form, and give a short explanation about what you love about the cinema you’re voting for. The winner will be announced at the BIFA ceremony on November 30, and you can read more about the rest of the nominees here.

How to get to Depot cinema from London

There is a direct train from London Victoria to Lewes, which takes just over 60 minutes and costs £35 without a railcard. It leaves twice an hour – at 24 and 54 minutes past the hour – and it’s just a three minute walk from the station to the cinema. Super convenient.

Did you see that a series of free ‘Stranger Things’ season 5 fan screenings are coming to London next week.

Plus: London is getting the world premiere of a new musical based on the cult movie ‘Pride’.