A COMMUNITY cinema in Skye is the first Scottish winner of a prestigious national award in almost 30 years, as it was commended for its emphasis on national heritage and its “thriving community”.
Skye Community Cinema (SCC) has been awarded the Engholm Prize, which is regarded as the highest honour in UK community cinema, for Film Society of the Year 2025.
Named after former British Federation of Film Societies (BFFS) chair Elsie Engholm, the award recognises the best community cinema in the UK each year, with the Scottish island’s community chosen out of 1600 film groups across the UK.
Presented by Cinema For All at a ceremony in Sheffield on Saturday, the SCC is the first Scottish winner in 28 years, the first Highland winner in 48 years, and only the fifth Scottish winner of the prestigious national award since it was created in 1969.
Founded four years ago by filmmaker duo Lena Vurma and Thor Klein, SCC was recognised for offering islanders a “rich variety” of screenings, including foreign-language films, animation, and documentaries.
Following the win on Saturday, Vurma said it was an “immense honour” to bring the award back to the Highlands after almost 50 years.
She said: “We're thrilled to have been chosen out of 1600 incredible community cinemas and film clubs across the UK.
“It's an immense honour to bring this award back to the Highlands and Islands after 48 years.”
She added: “We are deeply grateful to our loyal audience, who have been with us since day one – almost four years ago, turning up in such strong numbers. It's a real joy to share these film experiences with them.
“We'll officially present the award at our screening next Friday in Portree, so everyone will have a chance to kiss it, touch it, or snap a photo!”
The judges from Cinema for All hailed the group's programme and noted particular admiration for short films for young people.
A spokesperson for Cinema for All said during the award speech: “The judges felt this organisation had a high impact in a geographically challenging context, innovative thinking, thriving community and quite a seamless relationship within their local ecosystem and culture.
“They loved that they programme for different audiences, including short films for young people and that they think about the distinct relationship they have to Scottish heritage, emphasised in their programming.”
Every month the group offers a screening where audiences are welcomed with a drink, followed by a short of an upcoming film before the main feature.
The evening is rounded up by a live or virtual Q&A with the filmmaker, cast member, or subject expert.
The SCC offers a wide range of films from some of the country’s top organisations, including the National Library of Scotland, Scottish Youth Film Foundation, FilmG Alba and 48h Scotland.
The programme opts in favour of independent, international, and “under-the-radar films”, with organisers claiming many of which are unavailable elsewhere in the region.
Organisers behind the film group say they try to maintain a “careful balance” between documentary and fiction and draw from a wide international pool, with films from countries including Bhutan, Japan, Iceland, France, China, Poland and Australia.
Currently, SCC is spotlighting female directors and have so far dedicated events to Jane Austen Wrecked My Life by Laura Piani, Late Shift by Petra Volpe, and the upcoming Lost for Words by Hannah Papacek Harper, which will air on September 26, at the Skye Gathering Hall.
In October, SCC will also host a very special preview of the Sundance hit East of Wall by Kate Beecroft.
