The Filmhouse may be ready to open again in September, but until then, they have begun an online fundraiser to support the cinema.
Everyone is asked to donate £40 the cost of an annual membership to raise around £60,000 which is what is required to make its future a safe one.
Filmhouse is a charity and a community hub for film lovers. It is Scotland’s largest independent cinema, usually screening over 850 films to 200,000 people each year.
It runs a film education programme involving 10,000 school children and appeals to young with the Young Programmers Initiative, and older people too with its Senior Selections programme.
The food in the Café Bar is much loved and the Filmhouse has over 5,000 members. It is likely that cinemas will reopen in Phase 3 of the routemap out of lockdown, but with the need for physical distancing, it may not be viable for some.
The Filmhouse has set up a Go Fund Me page HERE which can be accessed directly or through its website or social media channels.
Alternatively, you can send a cheque to Filmhouse, 88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH3 9BZ.
Juliet Tweedie, Head of Development for Filmhouse said: “We have all been so touched by the outpouring of love and support for Filmhouse since we closed our doors in March.
“The last three months have been very challenging. We have been very lucky to be able to access support from Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Government and the UK Government through the furlough scheme. Even with this support to help with the immediate financial strain, we anticipate that as well as a reduction in admissions when we do re-open, due to constraints on capacity in the building and changing habits of customers, we will have to invest hard cash into making the building safe and navigable for our customers and staff.
“We need your help to secure our future, so that we can continue our work as Scotland’s leading independent cinema and a hugely active charity in the city. We are a vital part of our community, and we don’t want to give up any of it. We recognise that this is a time of uncertainty, and other charities may be approaching you for help. We are so grateful for any donations, however large or small, and thank you for thinking of us.”
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