SCREEN Scotland has today announced the launch of a new fund to improve access to community cinema across Scotland.
The £1.6million Cinema Equipment Fund is open to cinemas and community venues to install or upgrade digital cinema equipment including projectors, speaker systems, screens, satellite or broadband connection, and access equipment such as hearing induction loops or audio description equipment.
Community venues can apply for awards of up to £25,000. Cinemas running DCI-compliant equipment can apply for awards of up to £100,000.
Scott Donaldson, interim director at Screen Scotland, said: “Scotland has a fantastic network of cinemas and venues across its cities, towns and communities. This fund will strengthen Scotland’s film exhibition sector, and support venues to bring the cinema experience to new audiences.”
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, said: “This new fund from Screen Scotland will work to advance cinema equipment in Scotland, with the purpose of growing our country’s screen sector, by supporting innovation through technology. Audience development is an important factor in the continued development of the sector and this investment will help to ensure that Scottish film fans have an opportunity to enjoy high-quality productions in venues throughout Scotland.”
Sambrooke Scott, manager at Film Hub Scotland, said: “Screen Scotland’s Cinema Equipment Fund offers welcome and necessary support for the film exhibition sector. The significant jump in quality that digital technology enables means exceptional sound and picture are now available to exhibitors of all sizes; from full-time DCP cinemas to cinema clubs and pop-up groups screening from Blu-ray. This fund will enable them to put in place high-quality equipment that will ensure Scottish audiences are able to enjoy the best quality collective big screen experience well into the next decade.”
The deadline for the first round of Cinema Equipment Fund applications is Tuesday 23 April 2019. Funding guidance and application forms are available here: https://www.screen.scot/cinema-equipment-fund
Today’s announcement is one of a number of measures being taken to help increase access to film in communities across Scotland, including Screen Scotland’s £600K Film Festivals Fund and Regional Screen Scotland’s Local Film Festivals Challenge Fund.
Further announcements will be announced in due course.
Notes for editors:
Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. With £20 million 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.
www.screen.scot @screenscots
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