The big screen lights up again at Independent Cinemas Across Scotland

From An Lanntair in Stornoway and Hippodrome Cinema, Bo’ness to Campbeltown Picture House, all over the country, Scotland’s local independent cinemas and operators are re-opening their doors and welcoming cinema goers from today, Monday 17 May 2021 and over the coming weeks and months. 

The re-opening is being supported with an additional £1.98million Scottish Government support for 29* independent cinemas and one touring operator through Screen Scotland’s Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund. Meanwhile, every precaution is being taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience including spaced seating, enhanced cleaning, fresh air ventilated screens, more opportunities to pre-book online and distanced queuing and foyer spacing. 

There is a fantastic schedule of releases hitting the big screen over the coming weeks and months with audiences able to catch Oscar Winning films The Sound of Metal and Nomadland in all their glory on the big screen when they are released today, Monday 17 May, the Black Widow blockbuster and BAFTA-nominated Limbo (from Scotland-based filmmakers Director Ben Sharrock and producer Irune Gurtubai) landing in July and Edinburgh will also be coming to the big screen when it plays a starring role in Fast and Furious 9, also due for release in the summer. 

Andrew Poole, Director at Galashiels’ Pavilion Cinema said: “After  a long and difficult year  we couldn’t be more excited to finally be reopening  today alongside cinemas across the country. We know from feedback  from our audiences and staff during this  time how much they’re looking forward to being able to return and we have a range of safety measures in place to ensure a visit to The Pavilion is safe, welcoming and enjoyable. 

“Whether you’re bringing the family to see the latest Peter Rabbit feature, eager to catch this year’s Best Picture Oscar-Winner Nomadland, booking ahead for new films coming out in the coming weeks, we truly can’t wait to welcome you.” 

Sambrooke Scott, Head of Audience Development at Screen Scotland said: "The COVID crisis has presented independent cinemas with one of the toughest challenges ever faced. As restrictions ease and hope grows, Screen Scotland would like to pay particular tribute to the passionate, dedicated staff who are working hard to ensure the safe return of the big-screen experience.  

“Cinemas are magical, transportive places where we come together to experience stories that move us, thrill us and excite us. Cinema goers are eager to enjoy the big screen and support in the recovery of the cinemas they love, and Screen Scotland will continue to work tirelessly to support cinemas return and further growth." 

The latest survey results - commissioned by the Film Distributors Association - confirm that the UK public is more eager than ever to return to cinemas, with 59% citing the cinema as their most missed out-of-home entertainment activity, with 40% of audiences planning to return within the first few weeks after reopening and a further 36% within the first couple of months.  The research also confirmed that lockdown over the last year has reignited audiences’ passion for seeing films on the big screen, with those who have digitally rented or purchased films highlighted as the most likely to return to the cinema as soon as they reopen. The encouraging findings also confirm two thirds of respondents favouring the spectacular big screen experience, immersive sound, special effects, that only cinema can offer. 

With the wide-reaching safety measures in place to protect the health and safety of staff and audiences. 93% of cinemagoers who returned last year enjoyed an overwhelmingly positive experience, and 99% were satisfied with the health and safety measures at their local cinema. 

Following 12 months of lockdowns and restrictions, the survey further endorsed how well-loved cinemagoing is. Past research has consistently proved that cinemas provide vital support for the health and well-being of our communities. Getting out of the house and watching a film on the big screen allows us to escape and immerse ourselves in another world, if only for a few hours. 

Phil Clapp, Chief Executive at UK Cinema Association said: “We are delighted that cinemas in Scotland and across much of the UK will from today be once again able to welcome audiences back. At this time more than ever, we know how much local communities value their local cinemas. 

“Our own audience research, but also the many messages of support and encouragement received by our members, confirm that many people have missed the big screen more than anything during lockdown and every cinema venue in Scotland has been working hard in recent weeks to ensure that when allowed to re-open they will be able to offer the safest and most enjoyable experience possible.” 

Follow the campaign on social media via #BackToTheCinema or #LoveCinema and view our A-Z of indy cinema reopening dates for updates. 

Background

1. Details on the safety measures being taken by cinemas to provide a safe and comfortable environment for audiences can be found here:Coronavirus/COVID-19 | Guidance for cinemas | UK Cinema Association (cinemauk.org.uk) 

Recipients of the Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund are: 

* In accordance with Scottish Government guidance, Cinemas are able to reopen from Monday 17 May in all areas of Scotland except Moray and Glasgow City, due to Moray and Glasgow City remaining under level 3 restrictions (situation as of Friday 14 May). Visit the Scottish Government website for more information on the protection levels. 

The £5.5million Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund is one of a series of emergency funds totalling £10.39million from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery being delivered by Screen Scotland, to help mitigate the immediate impacts of COVID-19 on Scotland’s film and tv sector: 

• £2.2million National Lottery funding through Screen Scotland’s Bridging Bursary and Scottish Government funding through the Hardship Fund for Creative Freelancers offering bursaries for self-employed screen practitioners who lost income from their work due to COVID-19.
• Two film and TV Single Project Development Funding Routes providing £1million for the development of new work ready to go into production in line with COVID-19 industry guidance 
• £2.86million of the Scottish Government’s £12.5million Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund which reached venues including those offering cinema provision: An Lanntair (Stornoway), The Brunton Theatre (East Lothian), The Byre (St Andrews), Catstrand (Dumfries and Galloway), CCA: Centre for Contemporary Arts (Glasgow), Eastgate Theatre (Peebles), Eden Court Theatre (Inverness), Fife Cultural Trust (Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline), Heart of Hawick, the Macrobert Arts Centre (Stirling), Nairn Community & Arts Centre, Pickaquoy Centre (Kirkwall), Shetland Arts Development Agency (Lerwick).  

More information about COVID-19 funding and resources can be accessed via FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot, and through Screen Scotland’s Resource Directory for COVID-19. 

The National Lottery has raised more than £41 billion for more than 565,000 good causes across the UK since 1994. Thanks to National Lottery players, up to £600 million has been made available to support people, projects and communities throughout the UK during the Coronavirus crisis. www.national-lottery.co.uk/ 

Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. Sitting within Creative Scotland, it is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success. With funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support.

Media Contact

Eilidh Walker   

Media Relations and PR Officer-Screen   

M: +447545 402 064   

[email protected]