Clare Binns to receive exhibition honour at Screen Awards

Clare Binns, director of programming and acquisitions at Picturehouse Cinemas and Picturehouse Entertainment, is to receive the Exhibition Achievement Award - sponsored by the UK Cinema Association - at this year’s Screen Awards on Oct 22.

Binns has more than 40 years experience in the industry. She joined Picturehouse Cinemas in 2003 and is now responsible for programming five of Picturehouse’s London venues, including new, flagship location, Picturehouse Central.

Responding to today’s announcement, Binns said: “I am honoured and delighted to be rewarded for doing something I love and to be recognised by my peers. I am still energised every day by film and trying to bring the best of World Cinema to local audiences.

“It is an honour to play some small part in this vibrant industry, and to receive this award feels like a confirmation that it is indeed possible to balance film culture with commercial interests. Thank you.”

Representing her colleagues across the industry, Phil Clapp, CEO of the UK Cinema Association, added: “There can be no more deserving recipient of this year’s Exhibition Achievement Award than Clare, someone admired and respected across the entire industry.

“Her unparalleled support for independent film, coupled with her extraordinary commercial nous, has been instrumental in shaping the viewing tastes of UK cinema audiences.”

“It is no surprise that she is in such demand when it comes to sharing her experience and expertise, something which she does freely and generously. I know that all members of the UK Cinema Association will join me in warmly congratulating Clare on this long-overdue recognition.”

Binns joined Picturehouse Cinemas in 2003 and brought with her the cinemas previously programmed by her company Zoo Cinemas.

Soon afterwards she became director of programming and when distribution arm Picturehouse Entertainment was set up in 2010 she became director of acquisitions and programming.

She has been responsible for the programming and audience development of some of the most successful cinemas in the UK, taking responsibility for the overall film strategy of the group together with the development of its cinema servicing business.

She leads the film acquisitions of Picturehouse Entertainment and takes hands on responsibility for the programming of five of the London cinemas and for all new cinema launches, including the flagship West End site, Picturehouse Central.

The Screen Awards will take place at The Brewery, London, on Oct 22.