The UK Cinema Association has today announced a partnership with digital identity provider Yoti, with participating member sites now accepting the Yoti digital ID app as proof of age.

From today, participating cinemas will accept the Yoti digital ID app, giving young people aged from 13 upwards a safer, more convenient way to prove their age using their smartphone – meaning that important ID documents such as passports can now be left at home. This modern solution will also reduce the challenges many cinemas face in checking ages, as required by the current film classification system.

Phil Clapp, CEO at the UK Cinema Association, said:

“Of the 165 million to 170 million admissions per year UK cinemas were seeing pre-pandemic, around 30 per cent fall within the 15-24 year old bracket (and around 20 per cent within the 9-14 year old age group). Since cinemas re-opened last May those proportions are likely to be even higher.

For many wanting to get into a ‘15’ or even ‘18’ certificate film, proving their age – without a passport or driving licence to hand – can be incredibly difficult and an understandable source of frustration should they be turned away from the cinema. This new partnership offers a straightforward and modern way to reduce the likelihood of that happening.”

Kelly Drew, Operations Director at Cineworld Cinemas, said:

“With an increase in recent years in the number of films classified at ‘15’ but with a broader youth appeal, the issue of proving age is becoming increasingly challenging. The introduction of the Yoti app as a trusted and robust way of checking ID will support our staff, who are often on the receiving end of any resulting customer frustration.”

Robin Tombs, CEO and Co-founder at Yoti, said:

“We’re thrilled to have many UK Cinema Association members join the 30,000 locations on the UK high street accepting our reusable digital ID apps. Young people expect to be able to do everything with their phone and using it to prove their age will come naturally to them. It’s a win-win for both cinemas and young cinema-goers.”

More information about Yoti, the scheme and how it will operate in cinemas can be found here.

The full Press Notice can be found here.