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.
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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.'
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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.
