Community Cinemas in Dundee, Angus and Fife Get 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.  

Multi-arts venue The DCA will replace the Cinema 2 projector to support the ongoing delivery of the venues daily programme of mainstream, specialist films, classics, young audience and alternative content. This upgrade will ensure cinemagoers in Dundee have access to a greater variety of films with the highest audio and visual standards. 

Chalmers Arbroath Cinema is set to upgrade its sound and projection equipment to enhance the cinema experience of the local community. Updated equipment will enable the cinema to continue to offer local audiences a diverse programme including independent cinema and mainstream titles. 

Andrew Henderson, Universal Sounds (Chalmers Arbroath Cinema) said: "This grant allows us to provide a quality cinema experience for those coming through our doors. The funding allows us to purchase a new energy efficient 4k laser projector which we will install in our spacious Screen one cinema. The town of Arbroath and the surrounding rural communities will then be able to benefit from getting a quality cinema experience which is often associated with the big venues in larger towns." 

The New Picture House in St Andrews will upgrade the projection equipment in the cinema's number 2 screen to provide an enhanced cinema experience to customers. This will enable the cinema to continue to provide a programme of new releases and event cinemas screenings to its loyal customers. 

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.”