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The National
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Re-opening date announced for Edinburgh Filmhouse cinema
Edinburgh's iconic Filmhouse cinema, in the Tollcross area of the capital, has been shut since October 2022 when its parent company collapsed. The cinema has since undergone a £2 million refurbishment following the success of the Edinburgh Filmhouse charity's "Open the Doors!" crowdfunder campaign, which raised more than £324,000 since being launched in September 2023. The charity also received funding from Screen Scotland, Creative Scotland and the City Of Edinburgh Council, as well as £1.5m from the UK Government's Levelling Up Community Ownership Fund, with the rest of the money coming from donations and trusts. On Thursday, it was announced that the Filmhouse will officially re-open its doors to the public on June 27. It will re-launch with a special programme of films which were missed during the venue's closure. The renovation included a full refurbishment of the three existing cinema spaces, including installing new seating to create extra legroom for cinemagoers, the addition of a fourth room for screenings, and the renovation of the cafe-bar and foyer spaces. READ MORE: Edinburgh Filmhouse signs 25-year lease ahead of reopening While the three screens will open to the public on June 27, the new fourth screen is expected to open later in July. The cinema is also under new leadership, with Filmhouse chair Ginnie Atkinson, head of programming Rod White, cinema strategist James Rice, technical manager David Boyd, and strategic financial consultant Mike Davidson. A new executive director, Andrew Simpson, has also been appointed. The campaign to save the cinema has been backed by stars including patrons Jack Lowden and Charlotte Wells, as well as Brian Cox, Emma Thompson, Alan Cumming and Timothy Spall. Jack Lowden Commenting, Lowden (above) 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.' READ MORE: 'Brave and powerful' documentary on Gaza protests to have Scottish premiere Filmhouse executive director Andrew Simpson 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.' 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.' The Filmhouse first opened as a cinema in 1978. The building, which was formerly a church, has also undergone significant repair work to the roof and the stonework.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
First look inside 'reborn' Edinburgh Filmhouse as reopened date revealed
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A date has been set for the much-anticipated reopening of Edinburgh's Filmhouse. The cinema, which has undergone a major refurbishment, is to open its doors on June 27. However, the launch of its planned fourth screen will be delayed to next month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Refurbished screens one, two and three and all the public areas will open on June 27, while screen four will open later in July as part of a second phase of work. Meanwhile, fundraising continues for a phase three of some remaining elements of the project relating to energy efficiency after the cinema missed out on National Lottery funding. Screen 1 of the newly refurbished Filmhouse. | Filmhouse The venue was later saved after a campaign backed by celebrities. A new charity created by a group of staff to try to bring the Filmhouse back to life last year secured the backing of the UK government's Community Ownership Fund, which was created to help groups secure the future of assets at risk of being lost. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scaffolding was removed from the building last week, for the first time since the near £2 million refurbishment began. Work on the building, which is largely cosmetic, started earlier this year. Andrew O'Brien / The Scotsman The Filmhouse said its Open the Doors! crowdfunder campaign had raised more than £324,000 of the money needed. The UK government's Levelling Up Community Ownership Fund granted the 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. 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Edinburgh – and everyone who loves film – owes them and the thousands of people who supported their crowdfunder a huge thank you. Seating in the newly revamped Screen 1. | Filmhouse '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.' As part of the renovations, the box office has been reduced in size due to the rise in popularity for online ticketing. The fourth screen will eventually have capacity for 24 patrons, with the space available for private screenings and rental. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The three main screens have meanwhile been reduced in capacity, from around 450 seats to 350, allowing for larger, more comfortable seating. The new Filmhouse will include a revamped bar and cafe area. Filmhouse will partner with many of Scotland's film festivals offering technical and marketing packages for the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival, Take One Action, Edinburgh Short Film Festival and Iberodocs Film Festival, amongst others. 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 coming months. Details of Filmhouse's involvement with this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival in August are yet to be announced. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 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.
