Exact date beloved Scottish venue to reopen after devastating closure
Several Hollywood stars from across the globe backed the three-year campaign to save it
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AN ICONIC Scottish venue is set to reopen in weeks after being forced to close three years ago.
Edinburgh's Filmhouse almost closed for good back in October 2022 after its parent charity, Centre for the Moving Image, collapsed.
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The Filmhouse in Edinburgh is set to reopen this month
Credit: PA
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It has undergone a £2million refurbishment
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It comes after it was forced to close three years ago
Credit: Alamy
But a lengthy campaign was launched to save it, and over time it was pulled "back fae the brink" of closure.
The beloved cinema first opened in 1978 in a repurposed church, but was feared to have been lost for good when it closed.
Several Hollywood stars from across the globe backed the three-year campaign as they helped fight to save it.
This includes Scottish icons such as Mary Queen of Scots star Jack Lowden, director Charlotte Wells, Love Actually actress Emma Thompson, Emmy award-winning actor Dougray Scott and Succession star Brian Cox.
The Filmhouse cinema, located on Lothian Road, has undergone a huge £2 million refurbishment and is now set to reopen on Friday, June 27.
The revamp has seen a complete internal refit to all of its public areas and screens, and "substantial" repairs made to the roof and stonework.
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
Jack Lowden
It also saw more seats added, meaning the cinema now has a capacity for 350 super-comfy seats which each has extra legroom.
The foyer space and the bar have also been renovated, and there is now room for 100 people to dine and enjoy food and drinks from a new menu that focuses on sustainable produce from the UK.
A second phase of works is set to be carried out next month, which will see a fourth screen added to the venue.
This newest screen will be used primarily for "private screenings", according to BBC Scotland News, and will have 24 seats.
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When it opens again in three weeks, it will show a list of some of the most iconic films that were missed while it was closed.
Lowden, who also starred in Dunkirk, said the reopening will give a much-needed "lift" to the film industry.
He 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 film-makers and storytellers the lift-off they need, and continue to ask the big questions of ourselves through cinema, is exciting and vital."
Andrew Simpson, executive director of Filmhouse, added that the cinema is now returning with a "fresh energy and clear plan".
He 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.
LONG TIME COMING
PLANS to reopen the cinema first began to take shape when bosses signed a new lease in July last year.
Caledonian Heritable, who own the building, agreed the lease it back as a space for a modern cinema for a minimum of 25 years.
Works quickly began seven months later after the team managed to secure extra funding.
This included £324,000 from the Open the Doors crowdfunding campaign, £1.5million from the UK government.
The team also managed to secure £977,925 in donations from Screen Scotland and £1,243,312 from Creative Scotland over the next three years.
Refurbishment works started in February early this year, and a second phase is set to finish the project off in July.
"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."
While Margaret Graham, culture and communities convener at Edinburgh City Council, praised the reopening at "wonderful" for the city.
She added: "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 to enjoy the magic of global cinema in the heart of the city."
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