We are pleased to announce that we have successfully secured funding from Film Hub Scotland and Regional Screen Scotland to support and develop our community cinema provision.
Film Hub Scotland (FHS)
As part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, Film Hub Scotland is one of eight Hubs set up across the UK to extend film choice, increase and broaden film audiences, and enhance opportunities for audiences to engage with and learn about film.
They support a network of like-minded film exhibitors – from film societies to multiplexes – to work together to better serve Scotland’s diverse population. FHS provides Hub members with a range of funding opportunities, screening programmes, training, networking events and audience research, helping Scotland’s exhibitors become truly inclusive, reaching as many new and existing audiences as possible. They are funded by the UK National Lottery enabling them to continue their broad range of activity to encourage greater engagement with independent and British film across the UK.
NEAT has received £15,000 over a period of 2 years to support and develop our existing cinema network which was the first of its kind to be set up in Scotland. All our cinema screenings are delivered by volunteers in rural communities across Aberdeenshire and Moray. We currently promote around 70 screenings per year. The funding will be used to support a part-time Community Cinema Coordinator who will provide support and development opportunities for our dedicated volunteers.
A CINMEA NEAR YOU (Regional Screen Scotland)
A Cinema Near You (CNY) is a two year development programme which aims to improve access to screen and cinema provision in Scotland, targeting communities where the need is greatest, and where the benefits may be most significant. The programme is funded by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland. It will be operated by Regional Screen Scotland in partnership with Film Hub Scotland, and supported by Screen Scotland (a dedicated unit within Creative Scotland).
Regional Screen Scotland provide information, advice, contacts, and support to both individuals and organisations seeking either to start or to develop opportunities for cinema going in their communities. They are committed to helping to bring people together to share and enjoy exciting, high quality screening experiences, where they live.
Digital technologies are making possible a huge range of new and different screen experiences, whether that’s gaining access to classic movies and films from across the world, exploring local history through archive film, sharing live performances in the form of ‘event cinema’, or showcasing local talent and community projects.
Regional Screen Scotland work particularly with those communities, across Scotland, which have no access, or only very limited access, to the full range of screening possibilities. They help to develop this access through working with a range of partners, from Film Hub Scotland to the UK Cinema Association and from Cinema for All to Scotland’s Towns Partnership.
NEAT has received £15,000 over a period of 18 months to support the development of new cinema promoters in areas across the North East where there’s currently low or no provision. The funding will also help us to identify potential venues which may be able to support digital cinema technology enabling rural communities to experience new releases sooner than currently available.
Emyr Bell, NEAT’s Executive Director said “I’m so grateful to Film Hub Scotland and Regional Screen Scotland for their support, this funding will allow us to increase access to cinema screenings across the region by being better placed to support our brilliant team of volunteer promoters who work so hard to make all of this happen.”