Community Cinema on Skye Gets Set To Roll Into Action

In line with the Scottish Government’s latest Covid-19 guidance, all 24 projects can now begin plans to get up and running and welcoming audiences, as soon as they’re able, from Wednesday 15 July.  

ATLAS Arts plan to purchase new film projection equipment to support the relaunch of a regular discursive and artist moving image programme of film and film exhibitions on the island of Skye, with cross-community collaboration at its core. The cinema equipment will be a community resource aiming to build cross-island cinema engagement, supporting existing community film projects on the island with free access to equipment and resources, and working with local cultural spaces on connected programming.

Katharine Barrington, Atlas Arts said: "Purchasing this equipment marks an important step for ATLAS as we start to support and instigate new ways of working around Skye and Lochalsh, not only creating our own arts projects but working alongside the many vibrant cultural spaces and community organisations around the island to connect our collective cultural experiences. This equipment will be in constant use with local film clubs, community halls and other organisations, with ATLAS also using it to create complementary programmes with these organisations and groups over time. We're also looking forward to developing long term moving image exhibitions and projects without the huge expense and labour of rent from the mainland."

Screen Scotland’s Jennifer Armitage said: “This round of awards concludes the year-long programme of capital investment in cultural and community cinemas in Scotland. When we launched the Cinema Equipment Fund last year, we had no idea what 2020 was going to bring but investing in the resilience of Scotland’s film exhibition sector is more important than ever. When Scotland’s cinemas reopen, they will be able to offer high quality experiences, with varied programmes, and within local communities.” 

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Cinema is a way of bringing people together, sharing our communities’ experience with others and increasing public understanding on a wide range of social issues and historical events. 

“Now more than ever, it is important we support cultural organisations in communities across the country. This round of the Cinema Equipment Fund shows how we support and strengthen cinema throughout Scotland with new high-quality equipment.”