Council to contribute £60,000 towards renewed Edinburgh Filmhouse
£60,000 will be contributed to Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd supporting the return of the Edinburgh Filmhouse building at 88 Lothian Road, the city council has announced.
Following the collapse of Edinburgh Filmhouse’s parent charity, the Centre for Moving Image (CMI), in October 2022, the Council has been working closely with key stakeholders to secure a future for cultural cinema in the Capital.
As a result of positive project development updates over the past few months, the Council has committed this support. The Council will continue to monitor progress in the coming months and work with Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd, Screen Scotland, the Scottish Government, and other partners.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “We’re delighted to see the progress of the fundraising campaign and to be in a position to contribute as a Council.
“Crucially, this funding is in-budget and has been agreed by elected members. Alongside the wider stakeholder group, we look forward to our continued dialogue and working with Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd.
“We’re committed to having a home for cultural cinema in the heart of the city and for the wider sector going forward. Edinburgh is rightly one of the great cultural cities of the world and cultural cinema is a key part of this landscape.”
The Directors of Filmhouse (Edinburgh) said:“This is fantastic news and everyone who has their heart in the campaign will want to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for this tangible commitment to opening the doors of Filmhouse once more.
“Filmhouse, as a cultural institution that celebrates the art of film alongside the other artforms supported in Edinburgh, aims to re-open as soon as the total necessary funds have been raised.
“We plan to provide the broad range of cultural cinema that the city is lacking just now, as well as to host the diverse group of specialist and community film festivals which have been missing their longstanding home on Lothian Road.
“The funds are needed for a full refurbishment of the cinemas and public areas, including the much-loved cafe-bar.”
Director of Screen Scotland, David Smith said: “Screen Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council have worked together across the last year to support the return of the Filmhouse.
“It is a vital resource for Edinburgh and Scotland; providing a home for filmmakers, film lovers and film festivals, and a hub for film education. Its absence is keenly felt by us all, and Screen Scotland continues to work for its revival.
“It’s return would signify not just the reopening of a cinema, but the return of a vital home for the artform.”
The Edinburgh Remakery is joining forces with Filmhouse in the fight to eliminate electronic waste across the city.
The two well-loved Edinburgh establishments are working together to provide a simple and convenient way for members of the public to pass on their old IT equipment using a uniquely designed Donation Box.
With COP26 being hosted in Glasgow and with Edinburgh’s ambitious net zero targets, all eyes are on Scotland to take the lead in implementing infrastructural changes to tackle the climate emergency.
More and more Edinburgh-based organisations are taking significant steps not only to reduce their own business carbon emissions, but to make it easier for their patrons and team members to make positive changes.
The Edinburgh Remakery, a social enterprise based in Leith which specialises in waste reduction through repair and reuse, has been taking in end-of-life IT equipment since its origins in 2016.
This partnership with Edinburgh Filmhouse, which is based on Lothian Road, will make it easier for members of the public outwith Leith to drop-off their old electronics for reuse. With Filmhouse being once again open to the public and showing regular film screenings, the cinema is perfectly placed to hold one of the Edinburgh Remakery’s Donation Boxes.
These Donation Boxes have been designed specifically for people to drop in old electronic devices – including laptops, smart phones, and tablets – whilst preventing them from being damaged in the process to ensure as many devices as possible can be repaired and reused. The Donation Box will be conveniently placed in Filmhouse foyer for members of the public to use.
Elaine Brown, CEO of The Edinburgh Remakery said: “Electronics have become somewhat of a disposable commodity in our society, to the point where many of us have old devices lying around that we just don’t know what to do with.
“Electronic waste is also incredibly damaging to the environment, and people can be concerned about the security of their personal data, therefore disposing of old devices safely becomes very problematic. Our donation boxes give people an easy and secure way to pass on their old devices for reuse.
“Not only is it a win for the environment, but it’s also a win for the community as a portion of the donated devices, once repaired, will be gifted to families and individuals across the city who are suffering from digital poverty, social isolation and financial hardship.
“A portion will also be used to train members of our community in valuable IT repair skills, targeting primarily those further from the job market to boost valuable employability skills as well as confidence. Tackling waste and social inequalities in one – a win for people and planet.”
Rehan Yousuf, Community Engagement Manager at Filmhouse said: “Edinburgh Filmhouse is delighted to be in partnership with the Edinburgh Remakery as their first partner in the repurposing project.
“The pandemic has heightened digital poverty, with many people from disadvantaged communities being left behind. We’re aiming to target the challenges of digital exclusion for older people and will be working in tandem with community groups dedicated to overcoming this.
“Whether it’s an old laptop, tablet or mobile lying in a drawer at home somewhere, people can hand it to Filmhouse via the donation box at our Box Office. The devices will then be repurposed by the Edinburgh Remakery, then distributed by the Edinburgh Filmhouse. Members of the public who donate their devices will receive a free cinema ticket.
“With many people receiving new devices for the Christmas season, there’s never been a better time to hand in those that are no longer needed. We’ll put them to very good use!”
Not only will this partnership have a significant positive impact on the environment by reducing electronic waste – the fastest growing waste stream in the UK, and one of the most polluting – but it also benefits the wider community in tackling digital inequalities.
The Edinburgh Remakery has committed to use 25% of the reusable devices that are donated to them in this way to benefit the community, gifting them to disadvantaged individuals are families across Edinburgh who are experiencing financial hardship and need assistance to get online and access essential support services.
To ensure security, The Edinburgh Remakery technicians use a US Government Department of Defence approved algorithm to securely wipe any data from donated equipment to ensure all data is destroyed and is non-retrievable, giving added peace of mind to donors.
The project will be launched in conjunction with the EIFF Youth Eco-Weekender event at Edinburgh Filmhouse. The EIFF Youth Eco Weekender takes place over Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th November and explores the climate crisis on film.
Featuring a selection of curated short films from the Film Access Scotland’s Climate Challenge: 1.5 Degrees Films project, there’s a captioned screening of the classic eco-film The Day After Tomorrow with a BSL-supported introduction from EIFF Young Critics on Saturday.
While on Sunday, a captioned screening of the Gerard Butler action thriller Geostorm will be introduced by EIFF Young Climate Activists and features a Q&A afterwards. Both of which will be BSL-supported. All screenings are priced at £2 to ensure ticket prices aren’t a barrier for attendance to make it as inclusive as possible.
Tickets are available from www.filmhousecinema.com, or can be picked up in person. Alternatives include calling Box Office on 0131 228 2688.
EIFF Youth is funded through the PLACE Programme, a partnership between the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland, the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Festivals.
EIFF Young Activists is supported by the Hugh Fraser Foundation.
The EIFF Young Critics programme is supported by James and Morag Anderson.
Following an extensive and successful public consultation process which ran for 4 months following its launch in March 2020, Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) has submitted the full Planning Application for the proposed New Filmhouse in Festival Square to the city council’s planning department.
The Dominion, Filmhouse Edinburgh and Edinburgh-based touring cinema operators Regional Screen Scotland and the INDY Cinema Group are among 30 independent cinemas and two touring operators to receive £3.55 million from the Scottish Government’s Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund and The National Lottery, through Screen Scotland.
The Fund, which aims to bridge the immediate financial gap faced by independently owned cinemas as a result of COVID-19, will now support these cinemas who can operate in the short-term, within Scottish Government guidelines, and help others towards reopening, when it is safe to do so.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culturesaid: “We understand the severe impact this pandemic has had on businesses across Scotland, including our independent cinemas which play such an important role in communities across the country.
“We have had to make some really difficult decisions recently that will impact on cinemas which have worked so hard to re-open safely, but we have to put health considerations above everything else and I hope this funding, along with the business support that will be available, will help independent cinemas cope with all the challenges they face.
“Culture is vitally important to all of our lives, and we are determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis. This fund is part of the ongoing financial support the Scottish Government is making available to the sector.”
Sambrooke Scott, Head of Audience Development at Screen Scotlandsaid: “Independent cinemas have always played a vital role in communities across Scotland, bringing people together to immerse themselves in great film experiences from filmmakers around the world, and around the corner.
“It’s been the most challenging of times for these hard-working venues but, with the help of this Scottish Government and National Lottery support, they will continue to open and operate safely as local restrictions allow.
“By putting stringent measures in place to protect staff and audiences alike they will open where able and bring the magic and escapism of cinema back, which is something we need now more than ever.”
The Dominion Cinemasaid: “We are very fortunate to be in a position to benefit from the Recovery and Resilience Fund for Independent Cinema.
“This will allow us to maintain our position in the industry and help enable us to welcome our loyal patrons back when the time is right.”
Ian Brown, Group CEO and Founderof Edinburgh-based touring cinema operator the INDY Cinema Group said: “This support from Screen Scotland has been crucial in ensuring that INDY Cinema Group and its team are here both now and for the future to support our cinemas and communities across Scotland.
“Without the support all our work over the past 10 years to assist in building community cinemas, commercial independents and ever growing cinema support services for our industry was at risk of being lost.
“Now we are in a position to not just survive but ensure that we are ready for the challenge to come and helping all of our communities and cinemas grow again”
Ken Hay, CEO of Centre for the Moving Image(Filmhouse Edinburgh) said: “Cinemas are the heart of many communities and Filmhouse and Belmont Filmhouse are no different.
“Our communities want us to be open so that we can dim the lights and help people escape everything else for a couple of hours with the magic of cinema – and they’ve already donated over £100,000 so that we can do just that.
“And this funding from Screen Scotland will be integral in keeping both cinemas open over the next 5 months – when we’re allowed to be.”
Robert Livingstoneof Edinburgh-based Regional Screen Scotland, operator of the touring cinema The Screen Machine said: “The Independent Cinema Recovery Fund is a crucial measure to help to sustain cinemas across Scotland.
“At Regional Screen Scotland we’re very grateful for this support, as it will allow us to begin touring again with the Screen Machine, by compensating for the box office income lost through the need to maintain 2m physical distancing.
“This means we can bring at least some Christmas cheer to many smaller communities in the Highlands.”
With a September opening in its sights, the Filmhouse has launched a fundraising campaign to support its return. It is asking people to donate £40, the cost of an annual membership, to raise the £60,000 needed to secure its future.
Filmhouse has undertaken a survey of its members and regular attenders to understand the many complex issues and concerns that they would have in returning, but which has also unlocked a huge outpouring of support for it.
Juliet Tweedie, Head of Development for Filmhouse said: “We have all been so touched by the outpouring of love and support for Filmhouse since we closed our doors in March.
“The last three months have been very challenging. We have been very lucky to be able to access support from Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Government and the UK Government through the furlough scheme.
“Even with this support to help with the immediate financial strain, we anticipate that as well as a reduction in admissions when we do re-open, due to constraints on capacity in the building and changing habits of customers, we will have to invest hard cash into making the building safe and navigable for our customers and staff.
“We need your help to secure our future, so that we can continue our work as Scotland’s leading independent cinema and a hugely active charity in the city. We are a vital part of our community, and we don’t want to give up any of it.
“We recognise that this is a time of uncertainty, and other charities may be approaching you for help. We are so grateful for any donations, however large or small, and thank you for thinking of us.”
Filmhouse isn’t just a cinema. It is a charity and a community hub for film lovers across Edinburgh and the Lothians. As Scotland’s largest independent cinema, it screens over 850 wonderful films, seasons and special programmes to 200,000 people every year.
Its film education programme is attended by over 10,000 school children each year, and it seeks to inspire young film lovers through its Young Programmers initiative. Its Senior Selections programme brings together older audiences at risk of isolation.
And its Café Bar is a much-loved community space, where its famous nachos and chickpea curry have been keeping the city well-fed for over 20 years! It supports cultural programmes and partners throughout the city, and is proud to have over 5,000 members.
Independent cinemas across the UK are facing a huge challenge to reopen. Despite recent government announcements around the reopening of cinemas and the projected Phase 3 return in Scotland, the recent survey by the Independent Cinema Office found that the challenges of social distancing measures and the need for significantly reduced audience sizes means that reopening may not be viable for many.
Edinburgh’s Filmhouse continues to consult with as many people as possible by adapting its pre-planning public consultation in light of the social distancing and other advice issued by the UK and Scottish Governments in response to Coronavirus.
Open public drop in sessions which were to be held at the Filmhouse with CEO of the Filmhouse Ken Hay, the architect Richard Murphy, and Fraser Littlejohn from planning consultants Montagu Evans will now take place online with members of the public able to sign up in advance, or join spontaneously.
Questions for the panel will be prioritised from those who email in advance to future@filmhousecinema.com but there will also be the opportunity to feed through questions live to the moderator.
The public sessions are scheduled for 24 June at 1pm and 7pm, and 25 June at 10am and 4pm.
Each registered participant will be sent a short introductory video to watch before the session and be encouraged to submit questions in advance so they can be collated into areas of discussion.
During the session the panel will each speak and share images and plans of the new building before opening up to questions. The sessions are expected to last between 45 and 60 minutes.
Ken Hay, CEO of Centre for the Moving Image (inc Filmhouse and Edinburgh International Film Festival) said: “It’s a challenging environment in which to make sure we do the best job possible of reaching as wide a public as possible.
“We already have almost 500 responses to the consultation on the new Filmhouse building through our online survey, which is terrific. It is really useful to receive this feedback while the consultation is live so we work to address areas of concern or questions through our continually updating information online.
“We’re looking forward to these web consultation sessions and some live interaction with those who are interested so we can answer their questions.”
Information on the bold new vision to create an internationally significant, fully accessible and environmentally sustainable landmark home for film and screen culture in Edinburghincluding architect drawings and visualisations, the background to the development and FAQs are available on Filmhouse’s website.
People can feedback through a simple online survey on the Filmhouse website.
The project team is currently creating a series of further digital resources which are being shared through Filmhouse and Edinburgh International Film Festival websites, social media and email.
These resources are drawing out different aspects of the building and its purpose, responding to some of the questions emerging from the consultation feedback so far. The upcoming public consultation sessions will also be recorded and made available on YouTube post event.
The planned new Filmhouse building has been designed by award-winning Edinburgh based Richard Murphy Architects and will significantly improve and increase the quality and quantity of spaces available to and needed by Filmhouse and EIFF for their audiences, customers, participants and industry partners.
It will create a hub for Edinburgh’s film and broader cultural community to base themselves in, and be a focal point for Edinburgh’s citizens to learn about film and filmmaking in all its diversity.
Edinburgh’s Filmhouse is adapting its scheduled pre-planning public consultation in light of the social distancing and other advice issued by the UK and Scottish Governments in response to Coronavirus.
The ‘bold new vision’ to create an internationally significant, fully accessible and environmentally sustainable landmark home for film and screen culture in Edinburghhas already secured over 150 responses through the Filmhouse and EIFF websites and more through other avenues of feedback.
Although Filmhouse is currently closed and Edinburgh International Film Festival has been postponed, it is hoped that people may find time to engage with a more digital-based consultation process in the coming weeks.
Information on the proposed development including architect drawings and visualisations, the background to the development and FAQs are available on Filmhouse’s website. People can feedback through a simple online survey on Filmhouse and EIFF websites.
The project team is currently creating a series of further digital resources which can be shared through Filmhouse and Edinburgh International Film Festival websites, social media and email.
These resources will draw out different aspects of the building and its purpose, responding to some of the questions emerging from the consultation feedback so far. The presentation planned for the public and members’ events will also be recorded and shared through the same digital channels.
The public consultation events, which have been postponed, were due to take place at Filmhouse on Sunday 29 March, Wednesday 1 April and Tuesday 28 April. The two Filmhouse Members’ Events were scheduled for Sunday 29 March and Monday 6 April. These events will not happen.
Filmhouse will continue to look at options for how people can engage with the consultation process, working with the City of Edinburgh Council’s Planning Department, and any updates will be posted on the Filmhouse website at www.filmhousecinema.com/future.
The team is doing its best in this current context to reach out to as wide a range of audiences, customers, interest groups and stakeholders, for example sharing information specifically to its Young Programmers and Senior Selections volunteers, and will be inviting people from organisations or networks representing special interests to attend video meetings to have more focused discussions about the designs.
Information on the proposed building:
The planned new Filmhouse building has been designed by award-winningEdinburgh based Richard Murphy Architects and will significantly improve and increase the quality and quantity of spaces available to and needed by Filmhouse and EIFF for their audiences, customers, participants and industry partners.
It will create a hub for Edinburgh’s film and broader cultural community to base themselves in, and be a focal point for Edinburgh’s citizens to learn about film and filmmaking in all its diversity.
Filmhouse’s audiences have made it clear what they value and these have been built into the design: location, atmosphere, diversity of programme, education and learning activities, great locally sourced food and drink in the Café Bar, and a safe and comfortable space for people to gather. Most importantly, these will all be delivered to contemporary standards of access and comfort.
Filmhouse has been at the centre of Edinburgh’s cultural landscape for more than 40 years. As well as a year-round programme of inspiring films, creative learning, special events and partnership working, Filmhouse is home to the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), hosts more than 20 other film festivals, and plays a key role in promoting a vibrant and successful film and moving image industry and culture across Scotland. The new building will secure Filmhouse’s future for generations to come.
The new Filmhouse will:
Provide six new cinema screens allowing Filmhouse and EIFF to programme even more great films, festivals and partnership events.
Improve the audience experience with a world-class venue that is fully accessible for all, with comfortable seating and state-of-the-art facilities.
Continue to screen film on all formats, including 4K digital, and 16mm, 35mm and 70mm film.
Ensure accessibility for all, with a commitment that all public and office spaces are fully accessible for audiences, staff and guests.
Increase Filmhouse’s education and outreach activity, with dedicated education spaces to host year-round activity for learners of all ages.
House Filmhouse’s award-winning Café Bar, which will be designed to retain the intimate and safe atmosphere of the existing space.
Create a brand-new Festival Centre to provide a venue to support EIFF and other festivals and special events year-round.
Introduce a new Cultural Industries hub, supporting the Scottish screen and broader cultural sector with much-needed flexible workspace in Edinburgh’s city centre.
Create a restaurant and rooftop event space.
Keep Filmhouse’s iconic character and atmosphere, in a new building that has been thoughtfully designed to represent its independent spirit and ethos.
Reduce impact on the environment by creating a building that will aim to produce net zero carbon emissions.
Increase financial sustainability, by creating greater capacity, diversifying sources of income generation, and becoming more self-sufficient over the longer term.
The oculus design reflects the eye on the world that Filmhouse, EIFF and the myriad of festivals, events and learning opportunities in the building will provide, whilst also providing a striking addition to Edinburgh’s architectural landscape.
Its location in Festival Square is designed to be the catalyst that brings to life a currently underused public space and as part of the development would place a responsibility on Filmhouse to manage the curation of activity within the surrounding square.
The architect drawings and visualisations for the new Filmhouse give people a good idea of the thinking on the position and shape of the building, and the spaces it would contain, however the design is still in development.
Filmhouse is looking to engage with customers, partners and stakeholders including programming partners, creative learning partners and the Scottish film sector, community councils and councillors, and residents of Edinburgh to gauge support for the plans and further develop the designs before submitting a formal Planning Application to the City of Edinburgh Council during the summer.
Full costing of the project will take place later in 2020 to coincide with the formal Planning Application, but the cost is currently estimated to be in the region of £50m.
An indicative timeline, contingent on the Planning Application decision and fundraising success, hopes to start work on the building in 2023 with it opening in 2025.
This project is led by CMI’s Board and Senior Management Team, with support from property consultancy Montagu Evans.
In line with the UK Government and Scottish Government’s public health advice we are sad to announce that we will be closing both Filmhouse in Edinburgh and Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen from today (Wednesday 18th March) until further notice.
We are also announcing the postponement of the 74th EIFF in June, and are looking at which elements of the Festival can be delivered later in the year.
Our first priority is the health and wellbeing of our staff, filmmaker guests and audiences, and we wish you all health and strength through this difficult time.
Tickets purchased online for future screenings will be automatically refunded, however at this challenging time for the Filmhouse and Belmont cinemas we would ask you to consider converting your refund into a donation towards sustaining our charity and the work we will do in the future.
For tickets purchased at the Box Office, refunds will be available to customers when we re-open.
Memberships will be frozen until we are able to resume operating, but if you are able to consider continuing your membership payments it would be a significant support.
Other ways you can consider supporting the Filmhouse in Edinburgh and the Belmont Filmhouse is through the purchase of vouchers to gift or enjoy when we are able to resume our screenings programmes. Please consider making a donation or supporting the Festival by becoming an EIFF Friend.
We look forward to a brighter time when our cinemas can bring us all back together in a shared celebration of film, and its role in giving us a window on the best and most diverse stories and story tellers from across the world.
Meanwhile we’ll be doing our best to keep everyone’s spirits up and conversation going through our social media and digital channels and hope that many of you will engage with us, retaining what we can of our sense of community and sharing our passion for film.
CEO of Filmhouse in Edinburgh, Belmont Filmhouse Aberdeen and Edinburgh International Film Festival, Ken Hay said: “It is with huge regret that we have taken the necessary decision to both close the Filmhouse in Edinburgh and the Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen for the foreseeable future, as well as postpone Edinburgh International Film Festival 2020.
“Both Filmhouse and Belmont Filmhouse provide unique windows on the world for their local communities, however the health and wellbeing of our staff, filmmaker guests and audiences has to be the first consideration.
“As the longest running film festival in the world we are keen to continue even through these hard times, and we are looking at which elements of it may be delivered later in the year. We will keep you informed as plans develop.
“For now, we would like to thank our funders, sponsors, partners, staff, donors, patrons, filmmakers, sales agents, distributors, members and audiences for their loyalty, support and understanding in these unprecedented times.’
