Curzon: Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema

Iconic cinema brand Curzon has been honoured with the award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema at the EE British Academy Film Awards 2017.

Curzon has a history stretching back to 1934 with the opening of their first cinema Curzon Mayfair. More than 80 years on, this steadfast independent includes a nationwide network of fifteen cinemas. It also has a distribution label Curzon Artificial Eye and video-on-demand platform Curzon Home Cinema.

Watch CEO Philip Knatchbull collect the award below:

Curzon cinemas are some of the country’s most recognisable and cherished venues. Central London venue, Curzon Soho, exists at the heart of the UK film industry, and has, according to Time Out, been known to make arthouse film fans “go weak at the knees”. Curzon Bloomsbury won a RIBA award in 2016 for its refurbishment inspired by the films of Andrei Tarkovsky. While newer venues such as Curzon Canterbury, Curzon Sheffield and Curzon Aldgate – opening this month – are part of an ongoing expansion.

“Curzon has a long and proud history in the British film industry and many talented and passionate people have contributed to its success story over the years.” – Philip Knatchbull, CEO of Curzon

The distribution label Curzon Artificial Eye, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, champions the very best of new and classic cinema in all its diversity from Britain, Europe and around the world. Its catalogue includes works by acclaimed filmmakers such as Andrei Tarkovsky, Satyajit Ray, Claire Denis, and Charlie Chaplin. Plus work by Lynne Ramsay, Michael Haneke and Mia Hansen-Løve among many others.

Our Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award is presented annually in honour of Michael Balcon, the British film producer known for his work with Ealing Studios.

Previous recipients include Angels Costumes, Mike Leigh, Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jarman, Mary Selway, Ridley and Tony Scott. Working Title Films, BBC Films, Lewis Gilbert, the Harry Potter series of films, John Hurt, Peter Greenaway and Tessa Ross have also been given the award. Last year’s recipient was Angels Costumes.