Community Cinemas in Edinburgh and the Lothians 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.  

East Lothian's Pix in the Stix community group are using new funds to secure the latest cinema equipment and expand their cinema programme for children, families and communities across the local area.  

On receiving funding, the group said: “Pix in the Stix, our magical Community Cinema has always strived to be inclusive and innovative, often on a budget. This award will allow us to enhance our loyal audience’s experience of film, with new and upgraded equipment. We hope to entice newcomers, to experience the enjoyment and happiness our Community Cinema offers, showing a wide variety of films to both children, families and adults.  

“We truly believe that Community Cinema is a great way to strengthen communities and build strong relationships as part of our ever-changing community. We are knocked out by this opportunity to be able to continue and pass on this love of Community Cinema.” 

Cousland Village Hall Association’s Film Club in Midlothian, are set to replace their old cinema screen to complement their advanced digital projection and sound system, to enable the club to deliver a quality cinema experience; "the big cinema experience in the wee village hall". The club hosts monthly film nights, with films being selected from different genres, periods and cultures. The film club provides another opportunity to bring together the local community, with membership of the club ranging from 25-95 year olds.  

Cousland Village Hall Association said: “The film club are delighted to receive this grant to purchase a projection screen of the correct dimension which will complement our digital projection and sound system. The film club has been in operation for three years and brings together a broad spectrum of villagers to meet socially and enjoy a diverse programme of films.” 

Edinburgh-based event cinema organisation CinemaAttic have received funding to purchase their own projector, sound system and screen to ensure the best possible cinema experience at their screenings which aim to take cinema out of the usual setting. Their screenings have included libraries, pubs and recovered spaces alongside their monthly screenings at Old St Paul's Church Hall. 

Commenting CinemaAttic said: "CinemaAttic is delighted to be able to upgrade its cinema equipment. We aim at bringing the best possible cinema experience to places that don't have cinema provision and this will allow us to take it to the next level. We have lined up some screenings in the highlands and Islands and are very much looking forward for the time when is safe to start again with our traveling cinema." 

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.”