If you’re an Edinburgh native, the city’s Filmhouse almost certainly has a special place in your heart. Admired for its vast array of film showings, from British dramas and American blockbusters to European arthouse movies, the Filmhouse also boasted a delightful café, a characterful bar and an essential £2 discount for students and young cinemagoers.
When the Edinburgh Filmhouse closed back in October 2022, locals were understandably bereft. Once both Scotland’s leading independent cinema and the home of the Edinburgh International Film Festival (the world’s longest-running film festival), the Filmhouse ceased operations and went into administration.
But now, in very, very exciting news for Edinburgh movie fans, the Filmhouse could reopen. Back in April, Caledonian Heritable bought the building for £2.65 million – and the firm has now agreed to lease the building to a charity.
Caledonian Heritable is apparently doing rather a lot to help the Filmhouse get back on its feet. The firm has begun a series of upgrades to the building and will also gift 35mm and 70mm projectors to the charity. After a six-month lease period of fundraising, the Filmhouse will get a 21-year lease to run independently.
All the Edinburgh Filmhouse needs now is your help. You (yes, you!) can help crowdfund the reopening of the cinema.
How, you ask? Well, that bit’s easy. The Filmhouse charity has a crowdfunding page with a £250,000 target. At time of writing (September 19), the crowdfunding page has nearly £50,000 in donations – which isn’t too shabby, but it’s a long way off the total target.
So, do your bit to boost one of the UK’s finest independent movie theatres and donate to the crowdfunding page here.
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