Emergency funding to secure the immediate future of independent cinema in the North-east

THE Belmont Filmhouse has secured a share of £3.35 million fund to help operate during the Covid-19 situation.

The money has come from the Scottish Government’s Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund and the National Lottery, through Screen Scotland.

Centre for the Moving Image, which operates Belmont Filmhouse and Filmhouse in Edinburgh has received £627,849.

Ken Hay, Centre for Moving Image chief executive officer, 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.”