AN independent Scottish cinema has released the first images of a £2 million refurbishment before it opens to the public for the first time in nearly three years.
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 major 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.
The new space includes:
- Screen 1 with a capacity of 186 seats, plus two wheelchair spaces. The screen has Dual 35mm/70mm film projectors, 4K digital projection and 5.1 audio.
- Screen 2 has a capacity of 70 seats, and one wheelchair space. The screen has dual 35mm film projectors and can screen 2K digital projection with 5.1 audio
- Screen 3 has a capacity of 57, and two wheelchair spaces. The screen has dual 35mm film projectors and a 16mm film projector and can screen 2K digital projection with 5.1 audio.
- Soon to be unveiled Screen 4 will have a capacity of 22, plus one wheelchair space and will include 2K digital projection and 5.1 audio
- The Filmhouse Bar will be able to seat 100 people for lunch and dinner, with drinks available throughout the day.
Built in a repurposed church on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road, Filmhouse has been a cinematic landmark since 1978.
The building, which was formerly a church, has also undergone significant repair work to the roof and the stonework.
The Filmhouse will officially re-open its doors to the public on June 27 with a special programme of films which were missed during the venue's closure.
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.
