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| Author | Mia Blakeney |
In December 2022, the UK Cinema Association (UKCA) and Searchlight Pictures launched their search for UK Cinema Heroes.
The competition invited nominations for the industry’s unsung cinema heroes, to celebrate and recognise individuals who have gone above and beyond to keep the magic of the big screen alive for communities up and down the UK.
The competition also celebrated the release of Empire of Light, a BAFTA nominated film starring Olivia Colman and Michael Ward, which displayed the magic of cinema in local communities.
After receiving a hugely high-standard of entries, the UKCA and Searchlight Pictures announced the winner: Rob Younger, owner of the Parkway cinema in Barnsley. Rob is an industry veteran of over 40 years, having trained as a projectionist in the late 1970s, continuing his technical career in cinema to eventually acquire ODEON Barnsley, where he first trained, and renaming the site the Parkway.
The judges of the UK Cinema Heroes competition were incredibly impressed by Rob’s commitment to the industry, and to the communities he has served, which were supported by a large number of nominations.
Digital Cinema Media has worked with Rob Younger at the Parkway since its opening in 2007, and has maintained a close relationship ever since. The team at DCM would like to extend our congratulations to Rob, a well-deserved winner and a true cinema hero!