Scottish independent cinema to reopen doors after ‘extraordinary' support

The National

18-05-2025

In an extremely rare occurrence in the age of streaming services like Netflix, the independent cinema – which has stood in the centre of Edinburgh for almost half a century – is poised to reopen at the end of June.
Known for screening one of the most varied and exciting cinema programmes in the UK, the sudden closure of the Filmhouse in 2022 threw almost 100 people out of work.
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Its closure was also a major blow for Scotland's screen sector but thanks to a campaign backed by actors, filmmakers and the public, it has been saved and refurbished, with a fourth screen added to the existing three and a revamped café and bar.
An announcement is imminent on the reopening date next month, with the celebrations involving high-profile guests, whose names are currently under wraps.
Speaking to the Sunday National, the new executive director, Andrew Simpson, said the reopening would not have been possible without the 'extraordinary' support of the public.
'It's a collective effort by the public and the creative industry to get this venue back,' he said. 'To get here, I think, is something quite special and hopefully that's reflected in what happens when we actually, finally, open the doors hopefully at the end of next month.'
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An amazing £324,000 was raised to save the cinema in a Crowdfunder appeal which helped secure funding from Creative Scotland, the UK Government and the city council for just over £3 million.
'People put their hands in their pockets at what is not an easy time financially,' said Simpson. 'The Filmhouse has obviously been incredibly important – a vital and much loved cultural institution in Edinburgh and Scotland and it was a real tragedy for the city when it shut in 2022 and very shocking.'
Simpson believes the Covid pandemic has led to a greater understanding of the importance of institutions like the Filmhouse, as well as the threat they are under.
'It's a very fragile climate for the arts, and the Filmhouse closing was an acute example of the real impact and sense of loss that these closures can have on people,' he said.
He added that it was 'incredibly unusual' that an organisation like the Filmhouse could be resurrected after what it went through in 2022.
'I think that's really exciting and meaningful as well as hopeful,' he said.
Simpson also paid tribute to the former staff members who began the campaign to save the building and eventually secured a 25-year lease with new owners Caledonian Heritable. He said the refurbished venue would be even bigger and better than before, with a solid business plan in place to make sure its future is secure.
'We've got a really robust business model that takes in the factors that you would expect in terms of the challenges that independent cinemas are facing in the era of Netflix and changing audience behaviours,' he said.
'We've invested in order to make the organisation successful so there are better screens than before and the extra fourth screen will allow us to do lots more in terms of programming, events and activity.'
The refurbished bar café will be able to seat 100 people for lunch and dinner, with drinks available throughout the day and a focus on Scottish producers.
'That will be an important revenue generator for us and we're also going to deliver an absolutely world-class film programme that audiences are not going to want to miss out on, as we want to offer something that's relevant and vital to people,' said Simpson.
He added that it would be an expanded programme based on the kind of programmes the Filmhouse previously specialised in.
'We've got extra space to do more. We're a venue that exists to celebrate independent cinema in all its varied and dynamic forms, along with wraparound elements like discussions, community events and educational work with schools.
'We will be showing films on 35mm and 70mm that other cinemas aren't able to do and reflecting the real breadth of current and historical cinema in a way that no other venue can deliver.'
Charlotte Wells was one of those who lent her support
Simpson said the Filmhouse would continue to play a vital role for the film industry in Scotland.
'The Filmhouse has been a place which has been really important in the growth of filmmaking careers, providing a venue for the films that are being made in Scotland to be seen, for directors and producers to talk about their work, to host discussions with the public and to connect with audiences around the work that they're making and also in terms of professional development,' he said.
'That will continue, especially as a lot of film and film-related organisations will be based here which will hopefully create an ecosystem that helps to support the filmmaking community.'
Simpson stressed: 'We see being a platform for emerging and established independent filmmaking talent in Scotland as a vital part of our mission as a venue.
'So, yes, absolutely, you'll see Scottish films and Scottish filmmakers being very, very prominent in terms of what we do.'
With regard to US president Donald Trump's recent threat to impose 100% tariffs on films made outwith America, Simpson said it still was not clear what would happen.
'The message from Mr Trump seems to be just the latest in a long series of uncertainties and wobbles that are getting thrown our way,' he said. 'I guess we don't really know exactly what impact it's going to have, or whether he really means any of it so we'll see where it goes.
'If he does what he says he's going to do, then presumably it will have an impact of some sort on what gets produced and maybe what gets exhibited in the UK as a result. But again, that sort of pushes you towards doing more, I think, of what the Filmhouse is there to do, which is actually to celebrate global independent cinema and not just American film.
'So we will adapt and thrive against sort of whatever the challenges we may face,' Simpson said.