A FORMER swimming pool in Montrose and a touring cinema project in Shetland are among 12 community cinema projects across Scotland receiving new funding to transform the local cinema going experience.
From Moray to Dumfries and Galloway and Lanarkshire to Perthshire, local cinemas have been awarded a total of £420,000 through Screen Scotland’s Cinema Equipment Fund.
Plans for a former swimming pool’s conversion into a triple screen cinema and community hub in Montrose, have been boosted with new funds for the purchase of state of the art projectors and sound equipment.
David Paton, chair at The Montrose Playhouse Project welcomed the award, saying: “It will bring the playhouse in line with the most modern cinemas in Scotland.”
Balancing in-demand releases with diverse and alternative content, the cinema programme aims to offer everyone in the community access great film in a friendly and inclusive environment.
Funding towards Shetland Arts’ In and Out Project will improve cinema facilities at the island’s arts centre, Mareel with the installation of new projectors, as well as the purchase of portable film screening equipment to bring and array of unique cinematic screenings and experiences to community halls, schools, care homes across the Shetland Isles.
Graeme Howell, chief executive at Shetland Arts, said: “This funding provides us with is a fantastic opportunity to build on our current community arts programme.
“Portable film screening equipment will allow us to bring high-quality film screenings to remote and rural locations, enabling greater access to the arts and contributing to our mission to educate, promote, support and develop the practice and enjoyment of the arts by all.”
Cumbernauld is set to offer local audiences a brand new multi-screen cinema as funds for the purchase of the latest cinema equipment for Cumbernauld’s Arts Centre have been awarded. Currently in construction, the area’s £5.5m arts centre complex is and due to open in autumn 2020.
Commenting, Cumbernauld Theatre Trust’s executive director, Sarah Price, said: “Everyone we speak to in Cumbernauld is so excited about having a cinema. With this award, we’ll be able to open up a whole world of new cinema experiences for everyone in our community to enjoy – from curated film festivals to screening live performances from around the world.”
With new funds to upgrade film projectors and mobile screens, community cinema specialists, INDY Cinema Group, will be bringing enhanced touring cinema experiences to town halls, art centres, film societies and community centres in towns and villages across rural Scotland.
INDY Cinema Group’s Pete Johnson said: “INDY Cinema Group are immensely proud to support community groups the length and breadth of Scotland who’re underserved in terms of the magic of cinema and feel strongly that bringing films to these remote locations can act as a fantastic glue, bringing the various age ranges and demographics together to share an important out of home experience.”
Screen Scotland’s Jennifer Armitage said: “From community cinemas to touring operators, to multi arts venues and full-time cinemas, these awards are helping to improve and expand cinema provision in every context, increasing its reach, depth and inclusivity across Scotland.”
Notes for editors:
- Details of all funding awards for this round
| Organisation | Location | Funding Amount |
| Africa in Motion | Edinburgh | £5,000 |
| Centre for the Moving Image | Edinburgh and Aberdeen | £11,409 |
| Cumbernauld Theatre Trust | Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire | £100,000 |
| Driftwood Cinema | Dumfries and Galloway | £23,400 |
| Glasgow East Arts Company Limited | Glasgow | £18,000 |
| Film Forres | Forres, Moray | £13,074 |
| Horsecross Arts Ltd. | Perth | £2,500 |
| Indy Cinema Group | Scotland-wide | £25,000 |
| Montrose Playhouse Project | Montrose, Angus | £98,724 |
| Shetland Arts Development Agency | Shetland | £98,196 |
| The Birks Cinema Trust | Aberfeldy, Perthshire | £17,000 |
| West Coast Cinemas LLP | Greenock, Inverclyde | £88,551 |
The next deadline for applications to the Cinema Equipment Fund are is: Tuesday 24 September 2019. For full funding guidance and application forms, please visit: https://www.screen.scot/funding-and-support/screen-scotland-funding/cinema-equipment-fund
Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. With funding from Scottish Government and the National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support. Screen Scotland sits within Creative Scotland and is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success.
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