Cinemas Need Shorter Films to Survive, Says Leading Director
Industry insiders are sounding the alarm that the current trend of increasingly long films is putting pressure on cinemas. According to Clare Binns, the creative director of Picturehouse Cinemas and this year's recipient of the Bafta award for outstanding British contribution to cinema, directors need to ensure a comfortable viewing experience if they want their films shown in cinemas.
Recent blockbusters have shattered the three-hour mark, with Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon clocking in at 206 minutes and Brady Corbet's The Brutalist stretching to 215 minutes. This trend has raised concerns about scheduling problems and the impact on cinema-goers.
Binns believes that shorter films are not just a practical solution but also essential for a successful cinematic experience. "I talk to producers about this and say: 'Tell the director you're making the film for an audience, not the directors,'" she explained. "There's always exceptions, but I look at a lot of films and think: 'You could take 20 minutes out of that.' There's no need for films to be that long."
The issue is twofold – cinemas are limited by extended runtimes, which restrict their programming options, while also impacting the viewing experience. "It means you only get one evening show," Binns pointed out. "I think it's a wake-up call to directors. If they want their films in cinemas, people have to feel comfortable about what they're committing to."
This is not an isolated issue. Industry consolidation and concerns over Netflix's bid to buy Warner Bros Discovery are also casting a shadow over the sector.
However, there are signs of renewed interest in cinemas, particularly among younger audiences. Repertory programming, which features classic films and lesser-known gems, is proving popular among young viewers who appreciate the unique experience of watching a movie on the big screen.
For Binns, originality and commitment from filmmakers are crucial for cinema's survival. "Anora, Hamnet, Marty Supreme were all original stories," she noted. "And when film-makers engage properly, doing Q&As and working with cinemas, audiences respond."
Binns has been a champion of independent filmmaking throughout her career, which spans over four decades. Her initiatives to embed cinemas in their local communities have also been successful, including partnerships with Brixton Soup Kitchen and Poetic Unity.
The Bafta award is a testament to Binns' dedication to the sector. "Local cinemas are fantastic resources," she said. "They get people out of their houses, they're community hubs. If that disappears, it's a tragedy."
As cinema operators work to maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly fragmented market, the issue of film length is set to remain a priority. Will directors heed Binns' advice and craft shorter, more engaging films? Only time will tell.
Industry insiders are sounding the alarm that the current trend of increasingly long films is putting pressure on cinemas. According to Clare Binns, the creative director of Picturehouse Cinemas and this year's recipient of the Bafta award for outstanding British contribution to cinema, directors need to ensure a comfortable viewing experience if they want their films shown in cinemas.
Recent blockbusters have shattered the three-hour mark, with Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon clocking in at 206 minutes and Brady Corbet's The Brutalist stretching to 215 minutes. This trend has raised concerns about scheduling problems and the impact on cinema-goers.
Binns believes that shorter films are not just a practical solution but also essential for a successful cinematic experience. "I talk to producers about this and say: 'Tell the director you're making the film for an audience, not the directors,'" she explained. "There's always exceptions, but I look at a lot of films and think: 'You could take 20 minutes out of that.' There's no need for films to be that long."
The issue is twofold – cinemas are limited by extended runtimes, which restrict their programming options, while also impacting the viewing experience. "It means you only get one evening show," Binns pointed out. "I think it's a wake-up call to directors. If they want their films in cinemas, people have to feel comfortable about what they're committing to."
This is not an isolated issue. Industry consolidation and concerns over Netflix's bid to buy Warner Bros Discovery are also casting a shadow over the sector.
However, there are signs of renewed interest in cinemas, particularly among younger audiences. Repertory programming, which features classic films and lesser-known gems, is proving popular among young viewers who appreciate the unique experience of watching a movie on the big screen.
For Binns, originality and commitment from filmmakers are crucial for cinema's survival. "Anora, Hamnet, Marty Supreme were all original stories," she noted. "And when film-makers engage properly, doing Q&As and working with cinemas, audiences respond."
Binns has been a champion of independent filmmaking throughout her career, which spans over four decades. Her initiatives to embed cinemas in their local communities have also been successful, including partnerships with Brixton Soup Kitchen and Poetic Unity.
The Bafta award is a testament to Binns' dedication to the sector. "Local cinemas are fantastic resources," she said. "They get people out of their houses, they're community hubs. If that disappears, it's a tragedy."
As cinema operators work to maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly fragmented market, the issue of film length is set to remain a priority. Will directors heed Binns' advice and craft shorter, more engaging films? Only time will tell.
I think Clare Binns has a point, directors should try to make their films more engaging and not just pad 'em up with extra scenes. And what's up with Netflix buying Warner Bros Discovery? That's gonna have some big implications on the whole cinema industry 
There's no need for all that drama, can't we just have a decent story with some breathing room? I mean, what's next, 4-hour Marvel movies? 
Cinemas are already struggling to stay relevant, and this is just gonna make it harder. We need more original stories from filmmakers who actually care about their audience, not just trying to pad out the runtime 
. I mean, what's the point of making a 2 hour 15 minute film if people can't sit through the whole thing without falling asleep 
. And it's not just about the film itself, but also about the cinema experience 
cinemas are already struggling what with netflix etc so they can't afford to be stuck showing 3 hour+ films all day every day 
.
cinemas have been trying to adapt to changing viewer habits for years now, but it's really about the filmmakers getting back to basics - what makes for a great story that keeps you engaged over 2 hours is still hard to beat. shorter films don't have to sacrifice depth or quality, just cut out some of the extraneous stuff and we're golden 