CENTRE for the Moving Image (Edinburgh Filmhouse) and Africa in Motion Film Festival which takes place in Edinburgh and Glasgow, 25 October- 3rd November, 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.
The Centre for the Moving Image will use their funding to improve audience access and viewing experience by upgrading cinema screens at the Edinburgh Filmhouse and installing Audio Description at Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen.
Rod White, head of Programming, Filmhouse Edinburgh: “Having had the necessary equipment to run audio-described screenings in Edinburgh for quite some time, we’re acutely aware of how much the service means to those who use it.
“So, we’re especially delighted to now be able to extend the service to our audiences in Aberdeen. This award will also help us maintain the very highest standards of film presentation for which we are well known.”
Africa in Motion (AiM), (25 October-3 November) is an annual African film festival taking place in Scotland, bringing the best of African cinema to Scottish audiences. Africa in Motion will use their funding to update their mobile cinema equipment, which is essential for the festival to create an accessible programme open to a variety of different venues.
Justine Atkinson, festival producer, Africa in Motion, said: “Our mobile cinema has been an invaluable asset to Africa in Motion over the last four years.
“We have ventured into community centres, integration networks, bars, churches and more, and it has allowed us to create accessible cinema for a variety of different audiences. We are therefore really pleased to be able to update our equipment and continue to broaden this work.”
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.”