Since August 2024, we have been running a fundraising campaign to generate funds for a new mobile cinema. This will secure the service into the 2040s, and we need your help.
We had to retire our beloved Screen Machine (SM2) in January 2023 after 18 years of service because it was no longer fit for purpose. Since then we have been using the Cinemobile to continue touring our communities, with the lease agreed until April 2026. Cinemobile is not a viable long-term solution as it wasn’t designed and built for a regular tour across the Scottish Highlands and Islands, and is unable to visit all of our locations, some of whom have been without a visit since 2023.
The new Screen Machine (SM3) will be greener, more sustainable, and energy efficient, using rechargeable batteries and solar panels to reduce its CO2 emissions to a quarter of SM2 or Cinemobile.
We have so far received approximately £50,000 in public donations through either our Crowdfunder or added to tickets for film screenings. In May 2025, the Scottish Government donated £500,000 to our campaign (read their press release here). This was secured in part thanks to a widespread letter-writing campaign by our supporters to their elected representatives about the plight of the service. These letters also helped us extend Cinemobile’s lease.
These funds have allowed us to place an order for a new mobile cinema with Toutenkamion, who will need approximately 12 months to complete the build.
While this is a major step, we need to fundraise the remaining cost of the new Screen Machine to finish the build on time.
SSEN Transmission and another organisation have both pledged £350,000 to our campaign, but only on the condition that we hit our fundraising target by December 2025. In total, we remain £450,000 short of this.
While our team continues to apply to trusts and foundations, you can help us reach the finish line. Please consider donating today, setting up a regular donation to the project, or adding a donation to your ticket when you next visit Screen Machine.
Please also consider sharing our news far and wide. Let your people know we are that bit closer but still need your help to secure Screen Machine’s future. This is a once in 20 years opportunity to help us build a new and better mobile cinema that will endure into the 2040s.
‘Screen Machine is a wondrous, precious and unique part of Highland life: we tell all our family and friends about it and send photos! Our grandchildren – more used to a visit to a city Odeon – saw the latest James Bond in it and immediately asked if you’d be in Durness when they next visited. Going to the cinema and finding that you know everyone in the audience is such a great experience! There are times of year when we don’t bump into people so much day to day – e.g. when the weather is horrendous or the locals are busy with lambing or the tourist season – so seeing them in Screen Machine is a joy… Bravo on securing some breathing space while you work on raising the money you need for a new Screen Machine; believe me when I say that, if I had it, I’d give it to you: there is nothing like Screen Machine and the magic it brings. Thank you all.’ – Screen Machine customer in Durness
For more information about the history of Screen Machine click here.
For FAQ’s about our fundraiser click here.