Tag: cinema

Edinburgh’s Filmhouse cinema announces opening programme

From 27 June, Edinburgh’s landmark cinema Filmhouse will re-open its doors with a hand-picked programme of the very best films the cinema missed out on playing during the venue’s two-and-a-half-year closure.

The programme will have a strong emphasis on films that did not screen in the city because of its absence. Tickets are on sale now via the Filmhouse website.  

Filmhouse has long been celebrated as a cultural cornerstone, showcasing world cinema in all its brilliance and diversity, from crowd-pleasing favourites and to avant-garde arthouse works, restored classics, and curated retrospectives.  

The first film to welcome audiences back to the venue will be the much-loved film gem and ode to the beauty of the cinemagoing experience, Giuseppe Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso (1988). 

On opening weekend, audiences can also enjoy Martyn Robertson’s acclaimed new film Make It To Munich, an inspiring documentary which follows 18-year-old Ethan Walker, who just months after nearly losing his life in an accident, embarks on a 1200km cycle ride to Munich for Scotland’s Euros opening game against Germany. 

Ethan himself will attend a special Q&A screening on Filmhouse’s opening day, alongside the film’s director Martyn Robertson and former Motherwell, Chelsea, Everton and Scotland winger Pat Nevin. 

Edinburgh based filmmaker Matt Palmer will present a free double-bill of his gutsy thriller Calibre (2018) starring Jack Lowden and Tony Curran alongside his hit horror Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025) which debuted at No.1 on Netflix on its release earlier in the year and will have its first ever public cinema screening at Filmhouse. Matt will also take part in a Q&A after the screening.  

Lotte Reiniger’s classic feature length paper cut animation The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)will screen in a special event soundtracked with live music by Edinburgh based musical improvisers and innovators S!nk in a transportive performance filled with swirling, spiralling strings, saxophones, accordion, percussion and voices. 

Also screening at the cinema are a selection of recent acclaimed films from around the world from new and established filmmakers including Payal Kapadia’s soulful All We Imagine As Light, Sébastien Marnier’s thrilling Origin of Evil, Christian Petzold’s riveting Afire, Gints Zilbalodis’s enchanting animation Flow, Hlynur Pálmason’s nuanced drama Godland, Alice Rohrwacher’s radically adventurous film La Chimera, Maryam Moghadam & Behtash Sanaeeha’s joyous My Favourite Cake, Mario Martone’s brilliantly shot Nostalgia, Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s tense thriller The Beasts, Ilker Çatak’s uncompromising The Teachers’ Lounge, Alexandre de La Patellière & Matthieu Delaporte energetic take on Count of Monte Cristo, Manuela Martelli’s compelling noir 1976, Víctor Erice’s mysterious Close Your Eyes, Robert Zemeckis’s Here and Celine Song’s acclaimed Past Lives.  

70mm engagements at the cinema will include Brady Corbet’s award-winning The Brutalistand Christopher Nolan’s epic Oppenheimer alongsideRobert Egger’s Nosferatu on 35mm.  

More upcoming screenings will be announced via Filmhouse socials soon. 

Over the next few months, Filmhouse will once again partner with many of Scotland’s film festivals offering a fabulous space in which to welcome their audiences, alongside technical and marketing packages French Film Festival UK, Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival, Take One Action!, Edinburgh Short Film Festival and Iberodocs Film Festival amongst many others.  

Alongside this, the cinema will also screen events such as National Theatre Live for the first time, with more details to be confirmed in the coming months.  Details of Filmhouse’s involvement with this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival are yet to be announced .  

With, ultimately, a total capacity of 340 seats, Filmhouse is set to once again become a hub for film enthusiasts, offering a cutting-edge cinematic experience, a vibrant social space, and a platform for film lovers and filmmakers to engage with the very best in global cinema.

Previously a three-screen venue, the new Filmhouse will become a four-screen cinema and soon will be unveiling a fourth screen with a capacity of 24, allowing for an even more expansive programme, as well as being available for private screenings and hires.   

Filmhouse’s technical capabilities include 70mm, 35mm, 16mm, 8mm, and digital projection. The cinema also includes a Clipster Unit for creating Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) required for festival and theatrical distribution.  

Comfort has been prioritised across the new Filmhouse. Film-lovers can expect extra legroom and comfortable seats across the cinema’s screens, alongside a completely reworked foyer space.   

Built in a repurposed church on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road, Filmhouse has been a cinematic landmark since 1978. Following a £2 million refurbishment, Scotland’s leading independent cinema Filmhouse returns with new leadership, a vision which builds on the venue’s legacy as a space for learning and discovery, and a commitment to building a sustainable future for this iconic cultural landmark.  

The completely refurbished Filmhouse Bar will be able to seat 100 people for lunch and dinner, with drinks available throughout the day, catering for the many communities who enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere, and placing an emphasis on produce from Edinburgh and Scotland, offering great food and drink alongside environmental sustainability. Filmhouse fans will be pleased to know that the cinema’s world-famous nachos are staying put too.   

The cinema will announce new membership offers and multiple-tier ticket pricing over the next few weeks.  

Following its closure in October 2022, the reopening of Filmhouse marks the culmination of a three-year long campaign to save the historic cinema backed by film lovers in Edinburgh, Scotland, and around the world and by A-list film talent including patrons Jack Lowden and Charlotte Wells, as well as Dougray Scott, Brian Cox, and Emma Thompson.  

The stage is set, the screens are ready, and the story of Filmhouse continues. 

Rod White, Programming Director of Filmhouse, said: “Looking into the films that simply didn’t make it on to Edinburgh cinema screens at all during Filmhouse’s closure only hammered home the need for it in this great City of Culture.

“It’s been tough – whilst Filmhouse was closed – to watch some brilliant films come and go from cinemas without being able to offer a venue to watch them in. The good news is, Filmhouse has never been a better place to watch a film (and talk about it afterward!) than it is today and we simply cannot wait to welcome everyone back, or, for the first time! ” 

£5 million refurb for OMNi Centre

Edinburgh’s premier leisure and entertainment destination, Omni Centre, has announced a £5 million refurbishment and works are set to begin this month.

International investment group Triple B acquired OMNi in April 2024 and announced its  commitment to enhancing communities and promoting positive experiences through  transformative real estate projects. The investment will help OMNi kick-start its journey of  evolution, with locals at the heart of the project.  

The public realm refurbishment will include improvements to walkways and new flooring  throughout the centre, an enhanced main entrance with improved visibility, replacement LED  lighting, new seating zones and substantial internal structural work to create inviting spaces  for visitors to meet, dwell and enjoy. Works are expected to be completed later this year. 

Martin Botha, OMNi Edinburgh Centre Manager, said:  “We are thrilled to announce our improvement plans for OMNi, a project that reflects our  commitment to providing an exceptional experience for our visitors and a bustling  environment for our brands. 

“This transformation will bring exciting new features, modern amenities, a brand revamp and  the introduction of live events and experiences, creating a space that not only meets but  exceeds the expectations of the 4+ million visitors we welcome each year.  

“We’re on a mission to inject a sense of fun and excitement into everyone’s visit and at each  brand touchpoint, whether that’s meeting up with friends before venturing out into the city or  spending quality downtime in-centre, day or night.

” We look forward to embarking on this exciting new chapter and truly owning the title of Edinburgh’s top leisure destination.” 

Thomas Archer Bata, Director at Triple B, said: “Triple B is committed to investing in OMNi to enhance the wider community and support the  brands within.

“This refurbishment marks the start of a brand-new phase for OMNi; the  physical enhancements, coupled with a new mission to integrate and connect further into the  vibrant city of Edinburgh, will deliver a greatly improved and welcoming space for our  visitors, whilst enhancing the overall customer experience.” 

The centre refurbishment coincides with brand-led refurbishments with more news on this  soon. OMNi and its brands will remain open and fully accessible throughout the  refurbishment project. 

Refurbishment updates will be available throughout via the OMNi website and social media  channels. OMNi Edinburgh is open 6am – 1am, Monday to Sunday. Individual brand opening  times may vary, including Bank Holidays.

How To Train Your Dragon in 4DX Cineworld enlists Gerard Butler

  • EXCLUSIVE HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON GIFT FOR 2 IN 4DX
  • FATHER’S DAY GIFT INCLUDES 2 4DX TICKETS AND 2 PONCHOS
  • BUTLER SAYS “I’M SCOTTISH. FEAR’S NOT IN MY VOCABULARY.”

This Father’s Day, Cineworld is giving Dads the full hero treatment – with the launch of its first-ever 4DX gift experience, made for fathers who thought they were brave… until their seat started moving.

Available to buy now in 4DX cinemas and online, Cineworld’s Father’s Day gift box includes two 4DX tickets and a pair of ponchos. How to Train Your Dragon, now reimagined in a breathtaking live-action format, soars into 4DX with fire-breathing effects, like air bursts in front and behind, sudden drops, windstorms and water sprays. Because nothing says bonding like braving a splash zone together in matching ponchos.

You’ll want to hold onto your popcorn too, because the motion will test you, especially when you’re dodging mid-air dragon battles. Just don’t let Dad ask the Cineworld team if they can “turn down the effects” (spoiler: they can’t).

This Father’s Day, take Dad on the adventure of a lifetime with How to Train Your Dragon in 4DX – only at Cineworld. 4DX launches you into the skies with swooping seat movements that track every aerial battle, and environmental effects that whip from fire to fog. Just make sure Dad doesn’t toss any of his popcorn in the air, as dragons might mistake it for a snack.

To prepare the nation, Cineworld has dropped a video guide featuring Gerard Butler and his young co-star, Mason Thames, who offer survival tips on how to train your dad in 4DX.

Gerard Butler declared “I’m Scottish, fear’s not in my vocabulary.” before being rocked, shaken and sprayed in his seat, with a death grip on the armrest.

Give Dad a Father’s Day he won’t forget with the 4DX Gift experience for 2 – and remind him there’s no need to give his seat a pep talk before it starts moving. As for the bubbles? They’ll arrive when the dragons see fit.

Grainne Clarke, Head of Corporate Sales & Partnerships at Cineworld, said: “With two 4DX tickets and matching ponchos, our Father’s Day 4DX Gift Experience is part bonding exercise, part survival test – just enough splash to test Dad’s bravery and see who flinches first.

“Expect airborne popcorn, dragon breath, and a cinema seat with a mind of its own. This is extreme cinema – not for the faint-of-heart. Or faint-of-poncho.”

4DX Gift experience for 2 is available now while stocks last – in Cineworld 4DX foyers or online at Cineworld.com

Not sure your Dad can handle the thrill of 4DX?

We’ve got more heroic gift ideas – from a Cineworld Gift Card (with a FREE How To Train Your Dragon Gift Wallet, when bought in-cinema) to a 3-Month Unlimited Gift for all the upcoming summer blockbusters! Available in-cinema and online. 

Edinburgh’s iconic Filmhouse cinema reopens its doors on 27 June

A SCREEN ICON RETURNS! SCOTLAND’S FLAGSHIP CINEMA, ‘FILMHOUSE’ IN EDINBURGH REOPENS ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC ON 27 JUNE 2025 

REOPENING MARKS THE CULMINATION OF A THREE-YEAR ‘OPEN THE DOORS’ CAMPAIGN THAT HAS ATTRACTED ATTENTION AND SUPPORT FROM CINEMA’S FINEST TALENT AND FILM FANS BOTH LOCALLY AND AROUND THE WORLD 

THE MUCH-LOVED FILM HUB ENTERS A NEW ERA WITH A NEW OUTLOOK AND NEWLY REFURBISHED SCREENS 

This summer marks the long-anticipated return of Scotland’s leading independent cinema. On 27 June 2025, Filmhouse opens its doors and looks to the future as a home for community connection and cinematic discovery.  

Following a £2 million refurbishment, Filmhouse returns with new leadership, a vision which builds on the venue’s legacy as a space for learning and discovery, and a commitment to building a sustainable future for this iconic cultural landmark.  

With, ultimately, a total capacity of 350 seats, the venue will once again be a hub for film enthusiasts, offering a cutting-edge cinematic experience, a vibrant social space, and a platform for film lovers and filmmakers to engage with the very best in global cinema. Previously a three-screen venue, the new Filmhouse will become a four-screen cinema and will be unveiling a fourth screen with a capacity of 24, allowing for an even more expansive programme, as well as being available for private screenings and hires.   

Opening on 27th June are the beautifully refurbished screens 1, 2 and 3 and all the public areas. Screen 4 will open later in July as part of a second phase of work and fundraising also continues for some remaining elements of the project. 

Following its closure in October 2022, the reopening of Filmhouse marks the culmination of a three-year long campaign to save the historic cinema backed by film lovers in Edinburgh, Scotland, and around the world and by A-list film talent including patrons Jack Lowden and Charlotte Wells, as well as Dougray Scott, Brian Cox, and Emma Thompson.

The cinema will relaunch with a programme of films missed during the venue’s two-and-a-half-year closure.  

The cinema has been brought back to life by a group consisting of Filmhouse Chair Ginnie Atkinson, Head of Programming Rod White, cinema strategist at Mustard Studio, James Rice, Technical Manager David Boyd, and strategic financial consultant, Mike Davidson.

The group is now joined by newly appointed Executive Director Andrew Simpson and a raft of new staff members. The cinema rebuild is designed by Unick Architects and built by Clark Contracts.  

This next chapter for Filmhouse has been shaped by extensive research, expert consultation, and overwhelming community and industry support that emerged in the wake of its closure – notably through the Open the Doors crowdfunding campaign.   

A successful campaign 

With support from Screen Scotland, the reopening of Filmhouse began with the Filmhouse team negotiating with the building’s owners, Caledonian Heritable, to lease the building back for a minimum twenty-five-year period as a modern cinema space, before raising capital funding to refurbish the building.   

Funding came from a successful ‘Open the Doors!’ Crowdfunder campaign which launched in September 2023 and has raised over £324,000. The project also fitted the criteria for the UK Government’s Levelling Up Community Ownership Fund (COF), which has supported community groups to take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of being lost. COF granted Filmhouse £1.5 Million with other capital funding coming from a raft of donations and from Trusts.

Further project support came from major funder Screen Scotland and Creative Scotland, and the City of Edinburgh Council.  

In July 2024, the cinema’s 25-year extendable lease was signed, and in February this year contractor, Clark Contracts, began refurbishment work on the cinema.   

State-of-the-art facilities in a historic building 

Filmhouse’s historic home is a repurposed church on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road which has been a cinematic landmark since 1978. Originally opening with a single 90-seat screen, the venue expanded over the years to include three screens, a bustling café-bar and a welcoming front entrance, becoming a cherished gathering place for filmgoers. 

Before the relaunch of the cinema, the building has undergone substantial repair work to the roof and stonework alongside an entire refit inside the cinema.  

Filmhouse’s technical capabilities include 70mm, 35mm, 16mm, 8mm, and digital projection. The cinema also includes a Clipster Unit for creating Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) required for festival and theatrical distribution.  

Comfortable seats and a new food and drink offer 

Comfort has been prioritised across the new Filmhouse. Film-lovers can expect extra legroom and comfortable seats across the cinema’s screens, alongside a completely reworked foyer space.   

The Filmhouse Bar has also been completely refurbished and will be able to seat 100 people for lunch and dinner, with drinks available throughout the day, catering for the many communities who enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere, and placing an emphasis on produce from Edinburgh and Scotland, offering great food and drink alongside environmental sustainability. Filmhouse fans will be pleased to know that the cinema’s world-famous nachos are staying put too.   

The cinema will announce new membership offers and multiple-tier ticket pricing over the next few weeks.  

A wide-ranging film programme 

Filmhouse has long been celebrated as a cultural cornerstone, showcasing world cinema in all its brilliance and diversity, from crowd-pleasing favourites and family films to avant-garde arthouse works, restored classics, and curated retrospectives.  

Filmhouse will once again partner with many of Scotland’s film festivals offering technical and marketing packages for Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival, Take One Action, Edinburgh Short Film Festival and Iberodocs Film Festival amongst others.   

Alongside this, the cinema will also look to screen events such as National Theatre Live and live Metropolitan Opera broadcasts for the first time, with more details to be confirmed in the coming months.   

Details of Filmhouse’s involvement with this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival are yet to be announced.  

Embedded in the community for everyone 

Filmhouse will continue to prioritise its education and outreach work with facilities to inspire anyone with an interest in film.

A Learning & Engagement Officer has been appointed by the cinema, supported by a grant from the City of Edinburgh Council, and there will be forthcoming collaboration with the National Film and Television School’s Sean Connery Talent Lab, whose graduation shows will take place at the Filmhouse this summer.   

The stage is set, the screens are ready, and the story of Filmhouse continues.  

Andrew Simpson, Executive Director of Filmhouse, said: “The love for Filmhouse never went away, it was just waiting to be reignited.

“The incredible response to its closure showed us how vital this space is, not just for Edinburgh, but for audiences across Scotland and beyond.

“We are returning with fresh energy, a clear plan for the future, and a commitment to delivering world-class film experiences for everyone. Filmhouse belongs to its community, and we’re excited to welcome people back.”  

Patron Jack Lowden said: “Filmhouse is a place utterly dedicated to the promotion and celebration of independent cinema. Films need to be watched, not just made. Now, after months of hard work, the incredible team at Filmhouse have managed to pull one of Scotland’s few truly independent cinemas back fae the brink.

“To have such a place on the streets of our capital providing the platform to give our world class filmmakers and storytellers the lift off they need, and continue to ask the big questions of ourselves through cinema, is exciting and vital.” 

Patron Charlotte Wells has said: “The Filmhouse was an essential part of my own story and I’m delighted it can continue to be that for others too through its film and education programming and its role as a public forum for film lovers. 

David Smith, Director of Screen Scotland said: “Reopening Filmhouse has been the mission for many people across the last three years.

“From the moment it closed the Screen Scotland team were working to get Filmhouse back. In the end that effort, our support, became focused around Ginnie, Rod, James and David and it was those four individuals who put in hours upon hours of hard work that made it a reality.

“Edinburgh – and everyone who loves film – owes them and the thousands of people who supported their crowdfunder a huge thank you.  The revitalised, reimagined, reborn Filmhouse will bring back all that was lost and much more, and once again be the heart and home for cinema culture in Edinburgh.” 

Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “It is wonderful that the Filmhouse will be opening its doors once again. I am sure that many people across Edinburgh and beyond will be looking forward to this event.

“This much-loved cinema is both a community hub and cultural asset for the city. Its refurbishment will allow even more people enjoy the magic of global cinema in the heart of the city. I look forward to seeing the programme of events that will be on offer once the Filmhouse opens for business.” 

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “It’s blockbuster news that the much cherished Filmhouse in Edinburgh is re-opening its doors after three years.

“Thanks to £1.54 million UK Government funding and much hard work from the Filmhouse team and partners, cinema-goers are set for a thrilling experience in a fully refurbished venue that meets modern audience expectations. I can’t wait to take in a movie there.” 

DRAGON ALERT: Harry Potter dragon headed your way!

  • A replica of the Hungarian Horntail dragon which featured in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire is coming to Edinburgh
  • Complete with a moving head, mouth and eyes, the hydraulic dragon roars and bares its teeth to visitors and was created to celebrate the new Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions feature at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
  • The dragon will stop off in Edinburgh as part of a UK tour, aiming to take a piece of filmmaking magic from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to fans across the country
  • People visiting Castle Street, Edinburgh will be able to get close to an iconic movie moment and have the opportunity to win tickets to see the full feature at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London 

Edinburgh will have a rare chance to interact with a piece of Harry Potter filmmaking magic history later this week (30th and 31st May).

A Hungarian Horntail dragon will be landing at Castle Street, Edinburgh in a special appearance outside of its rightful home at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Visitors will be able to get up close and personal with the magical creature, which fans will recognise from Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, experiencing its ability to roar, move and even give passersby a delightful wink of its eye.

The huge animatronic dragon, which weighs 1.3 tonnes, brings to life the fan favourite, nail-biting scene where Harry Potter’s Hungarian Horntail breaks free of its chains during the first task in the Triwizard Tournament. 

The dragon was created to mark the launch of the new ‘Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions’ feature at the Studio Tour, running from 15th May to 8th September 2025. The new feature celebrates the 20th anniversary of the cinematic release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and invites visitors to go behind-the-scenes of the Triwizard Tournament to discover how filmmakers created the iconic competition we see and love on-screen. 

As well as having the rare opportunity to come face to face with a legend of the wizarding world, fans seeing the dragon on tour will have the chance to win tickets to ‘Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions through an exclusive competition. 

Harry Potter filmmaker and Animatronic Designer, Joe Scott, designed the dragon , replicating the creature in the fourth film, complete with a moving head, mouth and eyes and sound effects.

The skilled recreation of the famous dragon was carefully crafted over 750 hours, using materials that included 40 metres of fiberglass. The team first created a series of detailed sketches and CGI mock-ups, before Sculptors, Carpenters and Scenic Artists meticulously built the dragon’s head, which was 3D printed using a scan of the original Hungarian Horntail from the film.

A total of 119 spikes were individually applied to garnish the dragon’s head and tail, taking 265 painstaking hours, whilst 38 razor-sharp teeth were 3D printed in resin to create bite in the creature’s animatronic mouth. 

The stunning creature will give visitors a preview of the new summer feature at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, where for the first-time ever, fans can explore the Backlot Stage, showcasing the Secrets of Special Effects. This new, dedicated indoor space, offers visitors the opportunity to discover how filmmakers brought the action-packed scenes from the Triwizard Tournament to life. 

Comprising a digital screen, a stage and tiered seating, it promises to uncover secrets that not even the most knowledgeable Muggle will know. From creating the Hungarian Horntail dragon to understanding how Harry Potter held his breath for so long underwater, all will be revealed as part of the feature.

Visitors can also witness a mesmerising demonstration reminiscent of the Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students’ arrival, featuring Beauxbaton’s iconic blue dresses as seen in the film. 

Geoff Spooner, Senior Vice President at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London says: “We’re excited to launch our brand-new summer feature, Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions, where visitors can learn behind-the-scenes secrets of the fourth Harry Potter film.

“To celebrate and bring the magic of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to fans across the UK we recreated the iconic moment of the escaped Hungarian Horntail dragon 20 years on from ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”

Further additions to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London summer feature include Mad-Eye Moody’s arrival into the Great Hall and wizarding journalist Rita Skeeter, best known for her poison pen articles. 

The dragon will land at Castle Street, Edinburgh at 1pm on the 30th and 9am on the 31st May. For those wanting to see more, the Triwizard Tournament – Making of Champions is a special feature at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London running from 15th May – 8th September and all new additions are included in the ticket price. 

Hungarian Horntail National Tour details

Location: Castle Street, Edinburgh

Date and Time: 30th May from 1pm until 9pm, 31st May from 9am until 8pm

Head to www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/whats-on/dragon-tour/ for more info

Vue venues to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X-Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary

Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.

Marking 25th anniversary of their big screen debut, Marvel’s mutant team-up including favourites such as Cyclops, Storm, Professor X and a career defining role for Hugh Jackman as Wolverine has gone on to become one of the genre’s most beloved franchises with some of the cast even returning in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

Back from today, Friday 16 May,  X-Men and X-Men 2 introduces us to the world of the X-Men as Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his band of heroes must protect the world, and mutant-kind themselves, from the evil forces such as Sabretooth, William Stryker and the legendary villain Magneto (Ian McKellan).

Revisiting the origins behind the friendship and mortal adversary between Professor X and Magneto (this time played by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender), X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past dives back into the 1960’s & 70’s to explain how the team originally learned how to control their powers and  got together from Friday 6 June.

The series most acclaimed spin-offs will also be returning to the big screen as the beloved final tale starring Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Logan, sees the character embark on a claws out adventure with a mysterious young girl who is showing similar mutant powers to him on Friday 13 June. 

Robert Smith, General Manager of Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “With fantastic stories and climatic action sequences, superhero films have easily become one of the most popular genres to catch up on the big screen.

“That’s why we’re hugely excited to bring one of the first franchises to start it all, The X-Men, back to Vue – offering a way for families and fans to enjoy their favourite mutant moments on the big screen.

“Whether you’re a fan of the original films, the prequels versions of the team or just excited to rewatch these adventures before the X-Men show up in the MCU with Avengers: Doomsday next year, we welcome fans to enjoy these films as they’re meant to be seen on the big screen at Vue.’

Tickets start from just £7.99 when booked online.

To find out more, visit myvue.com

X-Men Back on the Big Screen season

  • X-Men (25th anniversary) – From 16 May
  • X2 – From 16 May
  • X-Men: First Class  – From 6 June
  • X-Men: Days Of Future Past – From 6 June
  • Logan – From 13 June

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 announces World Premiere of Ben Wheatley’s secret new film BULK

BULK to open Festival’s Midnight Madness strand

EIFF runs from 14 – 20 August 2025

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced the world premiere of Ben Wheatley’s ingenious new film BULK as the opening night film of the Festival’s Midnight Madness strand. 

Produced by Andy Starke of Rook Films and financed by Film4, BULK marks a return to the thrillingly free-spirited filmmaker’s homegrown, kaleidoscopic works In The Earth and A Field in England. Executive producers for Film4 are Ollie Madden and David Kimbangi.

BULK will be presented as part of EIFF’s Midnight Madness strand which runs throughout the Festival and unleashes the very best in new genre cinema from around the world. 

Edinburgh International Film Festival will run from 14-20 August 2025. Building on EIFF’s reinvigorated vision under new leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival will continue to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media. 

Paul Ridd, CEO and Festival Director of EIFF, said “I have been sworn on pain of death to not give too much away about BULK!

“Suffice it to say this is a truly unique film that took our breath away then fried our brains. We could not think of a better way for us to launch the second year of Midnight Madness at EIFF than with a new trip from a true visionary of cinema.

“It is guaranteed to bring the house down in August. Bring it on!”

Ben Wheatley said: “I’m very excited and proud to be premiering BULK at Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness.

“This is a midnight film through and through. Car chases, gun fights, sci-fi and romance. Thanks to Edinburgh for having us. It’s going to be a wild night.”

Ollie Madden, Director of Film4 comments: “Ben Wheatley is one of a kind, and BULK is truly the result of his unique and brilliant filmmaking brain.

“It was an honour to work with him on this secret project, for which Midnight Madness at EIFF is the perfect launchpad. Can’t wait for it to surprise and delight audiences in the way it did us!”

Helmed by CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent.

Ridd is supported by the EIFF Board, led by Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; and Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; as well as Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and Romana Ramzan, Producer at No Code Studio. 

More information will be released on the 2025 Festivalin the coming weeks.

Major boost for mobile cinema

£500,000 funding to Screen Machine

Funding has been announced enabling an order to be placed for a new Screen Machine mobile cinema serving rural communities across Scotland.

The £500,000 Scottish Government grant allows Regional Screen Scotland (RSS) to order a new vehicle to take films to 44 locations in areas including the Highlands and Islands, Moray and North Ayrshire.

After the previous 80-seat vehicle was retired in 2023 following 18 years and 250,000 miles on the road, RSS started fundraising for a permanent replacement costing £1.7 million. A leased vehicle is currently continuing the service until April 2026.

The new machine will be energy efficient with the ability to charge via solar panels and battery packs, instead of a diesel generator.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “The Screen Machine service is a hugely important asset, bringing cinema to the doorsteps of people in many rural and island communities.

“It has proved its worth over 26 years, providing entertainment that town and city residents take for granted. In doing so it enriches people’s lives and plays a part in tackling rural depopulation.

“This grant allows Regional Screen Scotland to order a new, bespoke vehicle able to use Scotland’s ferry network and negotiate our rural roads. I wish the organisation well as it continues efforts to reach its fundraising target.”

Regional Screen Scotland interim Chief Executive Simon Drysdale said: “This generous grant from the Scottish Government completely transforms our fundraising campaign to raise the money required to build a new Screen Machine. We can now plan with greater confidence for a service that will be secured into the 2040s.

“Heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported our campaign so far, from Screen Scotland to the Arran Trust, customers of the Newtonmore Grill, letter-writing children in Barra and many, many more.”

CINEWORLD ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER 4DX FAMILY DAY

SUNDAY 18th May

£4 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

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  • 4DX FAMILY DAY TO TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY 18 MAY
  • CLASSIC FAMILY TITLES IN 4DX: MOANA, PADDINGTON & HARRY POTTER
  • ONE-DAY EVENT TO BE HELD ACROSS ALL 4DX CINEMAS NATIONWIDE 

Get ready for a family adventure like no other! Cineworld is excited to launch its first-ever 4DX Family Day on Sunday 18 May at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide – with tickets available now for just £4/€4 (online, including booking fee). 

Available only at Cineworld, 4DX is a thrilling multisensory experience, featuring motion-synchronised seats, gusts of wind, sprays of water, aromatic scents, bubbles, fog and strobe lighting, bringing every scene to life in the comfort of your seat. For one day only, families across the UK and Ireland can dive into some of the most beloved family classics in an entirely new way. 

Film line-up for 4DX Family Day:

  • Moana (2016) – 10:00am 
  • Paddington (2014) – 12:30pm 
  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) – 2:45pm 

For the first time ever, Moana and Paddington will be brought to life in 4DX – with ocean sprays, tilting seats and sea breezes pulling you into Moana’s voyage, and bursts of air, playful splashes and sweet peach aromas capturing Paddington’s every marmalade mishap. Plus, the magic of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will sweep through the auditorium with swirling winds, rumbling seats and spellbinding effects like fog, bubbles and snow. 

Adding even more magic to the day, participating cinemas will also host a range of family-friendly activities in the foyer, including bubble-blowing fun and temporary 4DX tattoo stations – perfect for young adventurers. All adults must be accompanied by a child – young explorers lead the way! 

Casey Cohen, VP of International Marketing at Cineworld, said: “We are thrilled to launch our first-ever 4DX Family Day, where seats move, oceans splash, and marmalade mischief fills the air.

“4DX is hands down, the most fun you can have as a family in a cinema – like a multisensory rollercoaster ride, but with popcorn.

“On Sunday, May 18th, experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter like never before, in 4DX. Get ready for the ride of your life – you’re welcome!”

Tickets for 4DX Family Day are available now via the Cineworld website and Cineworld app. 

#Experience4DX

#4DXFamilyDay

Cineworld 4DX Sites:

  • Aberdeen – Union Square 
  • Ashford 
  • Ashton-under-Lyne 
  • Barnsley 
  • Basildon 
  • Belfast 
  • Birmingham – Broad Street 
  • Bracknell 
  • Broughton 
  • Cardiff 
  • Cheltenham 
  • Crawley 
  • Didsbury 
  • Dublin 
  • Edinburgh 
  • Glasgow – Renfrew Street 
  • Hull 
  • Ipswich 
  • London – Enfield 
  • London – Feltham 
  • London – Leicester Square 
  • London – The O2 Greenwich 
  • London – Wandsworth 
  • London – Wembley 
  • Milton Keynes 
  • Newcastle upon Tyne 
  • Newport Wales – Spytty Park 
  • Plymouth 
  • Rushden Lakes 
  • Sheffield 
  • Stevenage 
  • Swindon – Shaw Ridge 
  • Telford 
  • Wolverhampton 

MAY BANK HOLIDAY ALERT: NEW BLUEY COLLECTION IN THE CINEMA

Following the great box office and family audience success of Bluey at the Cinema: Family Trip Collection, Vue Lumière is releasing a second Bluey adventure on the big screen. Bluey at the Cinema: Let’s Play Chef Collection will be playing in over 500 cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.

Bluey at the Cinema: Let’s Play Chef Collection is an hour-long treat courtesy of BBC Studios and Ludo Studios, made up of eight episodes from the TV show’s three series, all based around the fun of food. The compilation will showcase memorable moments such as Takeaway, Fancy Restaurant, and highlight the Heeler’s skills in the kitchen with episodes such as Omelette and Duck Cake.

Commenting on the new and continued offer of Bluey in cinemas, Johnny Carr, Head of Event Cinema and Distribution, Vue Lumière said: “Following the tremendous success of Bluey at the Cinema: Family Trip Collection, which garnered over 250k admissions at the box office last summer, we’re delighted to announce this unmissable cinema event – the world’s leading animated series and global phenomenon – for the May Bank Holiday weekend and beyond.”

Vue Lumière is the new film distribution division of Vue, bringing the best of independent and international films directly to audiences. Launched in 2024 with the release of the Italian break-out There’s Still Tomorrow and family hit Bluey at the Cinema: Family Trip Collection, the company is now building a slate for 2025 with the aim of releasing 10-12 films per year in the UK and Ireland – and ultimately beyond to other Vue territories. Vue is one of the world’s leading cinema operators, managing the most respected brands and spanning eight countries with 223 sites and 1959 screens.

About Bluey 

The series follows Bluey, a loveable, inexhaustible, Blue Heeler dog, who lives with her Mum, Dad and her little sister, Bingo. Bluey uses her limitless energy to play games that unfold in unpredictable and hilarious ways, bringing her family and the whole neighbourhood into her world of fun.

Bluey is created and written by Joe Brumm and produced by Emmy® Award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC KIDS (Australia) and co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios Kids & Family. Financed in association with Screen Australia, Bluey is proudly 100% created, written, animated, and post produced in Brisbane Queensland, Australia, with funding from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland and the Australian Government. BBC Studios Kids & Family hold the global distribution and merchandise rights.

In Australia, the show is broadcast on ABC. The series airs and streams to U.S. and global audiences (outside of Australia, New Zealand and China) across Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios Kids & Family and Disney Branded Television.

Bluey has won multiple craft and production awards around the world, including the 2019 International Emmy Kids Award and a 2022 BAFTA Children & Young People Award in the International category. In 2024 alone, Bluey won a Peabody Award, Television Critics Association (TCA) Award for “Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming” and a Rose d’Or award in the “Children & Youth” category, and many others.

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