Make films shorter if you want them shown in cinemas, says Picturehouse director

Clare Binns, creative director of Picturehouse Cinemas, suggests directors should shorten films to ensure cinema screenings amid concerns about increasingly long runtimes. Recent films exceeding three hours create scheduling challenges for cinemas, limiting the number of daily showings. Binns argues that shorter films provide a more comfortable viewing experience, encouraging audiences to return to cinemas. She advises producers to prioritize the audience experience, suggesting many films could be effectively shortened by 20 minutes. Binns, recently awarded a Bafta for her contribution to cinema, emphasizes the need for directors to consider audience comfort if they want their films shown in theaters. Picturehouse Cinemas, like others, faced challenges during Covid and the Hollywood strikes, but Binns believes they are now in a better position.

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