Three Scottish cinemas win Europa Cinemas Awards

Every year Europa Cinemas presents three awards to the best exhibitors and cinemas in the Network. The award for Best Programming distinguishes a cinema for its programming policy in favour of European films, the cultural diversity of the films shown, and initiatives taken by the exhibitor to draw attention to the programmed films. The award for Best Young Audience Activities recompenses a cinema that puts particular energy into setting up activities geared toward children and adolescents, above and beyond national programmes available in its country. Finally, the award for Entrepreneur of the Year is given for entrepreneurial qualities shown by a Network exhibitor, be that an ability to develop his projection spaces or business, or to put novel activities in place.

The award for Best Programming went to Abaton Kino, Hamburg, Germany, exhibitor Matthias Elwart. The award for Best Young Audience Activities went to three Scottish cinemas, GFT in Glasgow, DCA in Dundee and Filmhouse in Edinburgh, paying tribute not only to their excellent results and initiatives geared to young audiences, but also to highlight a new form of cooperation among exhibitors. The GFT, exhibitor Jaki McDougall, DCA, exhibitor Alice Black and Filmhouse, exhibitor Rod White belong to Young Audiences Cinema Network Scotland (YCANS), a network of cinemas committed to activities aimed at young Scottish film-goers. Several times a year, seven cinemas gather to discuss programming policy, activities put in place, print sharing and joint applications for financial assistance. These cinemas' successes and the networking of their competences, supported by Creative Scotland, are a sign of Scotland's special commitment to film education. The Best Young Audience Activities award will be presented at the Glasgow Youth Film Festival in February 2012.

Finally, Entrepreneur of the Year went to Roman Gutek, Kino Muranow, Warsaw, Poland.