Plans for a brand new £50m movie centre that would become the home of Edinburgh International Film Festival in the capital have been unveiled.
The Centre for the Moving Image is planned for Festival Square on Lothian Road and aims to be “the catalyst that brings to life a currently underused public space" and a "temple for film".
The first of its kind in the UK, the building would replace the Edinburgh Filmhouse, a former church that was converted into a film theatre in 1979. The venue is currently home to Edinburgh International Film Festival and hosts more than 20 other film festivals.
Designed by award-winning Edinburgh-based firm Richard Murphy Architects, the 11-floor building will feature screens, education and learning spaces and an auditorium.
Under current proposals, The Centre would double the number of screens and seats for cinema-goers, and will be a fully accessible and carbon neutral bulidng.
Feedback from the Filmhouse's audiences was considered in the design - including location, atmosphere, diversity of programme and learning activities.
The Filmhouse has now launched a consultation that will run for 12 weeks, until 3 June. Three all-day (10am – 7pm) public consultation events will take place in Filmhouse on: Sunday 29 March, Wednesday 1 April and Tuesday 28 April.
Filmhouse said it is “looking to engage with customers, partners, stakeholders including programming partners, creative learning partners and the Scottish film sector, community councils and councillors, and residents of Edinburgh to gauge support for the plans and further develop the designs before submitting a formal planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council during the summer.”
Ken Hay, CEO of Centre for the Moving Image , which includes the Filmhouse and the Film Festival, said: “For more than 40 years Filmhouse has been at the centre of Edinburgh’s cultural life, and for more than 70 years Edinburgh International Film Festival has been an international beacon for film and film culture.
“This proposed new building will transform what we’re able to do for Edinburgh’s residents and Scotland’s film community, as well as providing Scotland with a physical celebration of the most popular art form.
“Through doubling the number of screens and seats for regular cinema-goers, creating dedicated education and learning spaces, and developing an iconic festival centre, all within a fully accessible and carbon neutral building, this really is a 21st century temple for film.
“We are hugely excited about sharing this vision during the consultation period, and are looking forward to engaging with as many people as we can in helping us shape the future for Filmhouse and lovers of film.”
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