Fostering local cinema provision where it’s most needed.
A Cinema Near You (CNY) was a fixed term development programme that ran from June 2019 – June 2022, which aimed to improve access to screen and cinema provision in Scotland, targeting those communities where the need is greatest, and where the benefits may be most significant. The programme was funded by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland. It was operated by Regional Screen Scotland in partnership with Film Hub Scotland, and supported by Screen Scotland (a dedicated unit within Creative Scotland).
What do we mean by local cinema?
We have an inclusive definition of local cinema, covering a spectrum that extends from DVD-based community groups to full-time, multi-screen cinemas showing new releases. We believe that local cinema should be: open and accessible, engaged with its community, committed to embracing diversity, and part of a wider cultural ecology.
This was a unique opportunity for a wide range of sectors — community development, housing, town centre regeneration, health and wellbeing, local government and leisure trusts — to explore and develop new access to the big screen experience.
A Cinema Near You had 165 expressions of interest from all over Scotland and supported a wide range of new exhibitors, despite the challenges of COVID 19. Our support went to new full-time cinemas like Montrose Playhouse; part time multi-arts venues like The Fraser Centre in Tranent; community-led venues like A Heart for Duns and Howden Park Centre in West Lothian; seven screen networks including Screen Argyll and Linstone Housing Association in Renfrewshire as well as early-stage development of new cinemas such as the Iris in Ayr and No. 30 The Square in Huntly, as well as many more local screenings.
We commissioned independent evaluation from Impact Hub Inverness and carried out our own survey of participants, and we’re working on a report on the learning from the programme.
Now Showing
Now Showing followed CNY and was a 9-month programme of direct and practical activity tackling the challenges facing groups screening films part-time in community spaces. It was about ensuring cinema screens continue to shine bright for the people that run them and for the audiences that are welcomed to access a positive cinema-going experience as part of healthy communities. Building on the A Cinema Near You open funding approach, Regional Screen Scotland delivered Now Showing with cross-sectoral partners directly to DVD-based cinemas. The programme tackled barriers to sustainability, built confidence in exhibitors through networks and training support, and shared stories to increase the visibility of cinemas in communities to local audiences and the wider sector. At it’s close in May 2023, 57 new venues were actively engaged with screenings and 60 existing venues were supported to continue with screenings. 214 public events took place with 5108 attendees. 156 volunteers were involved contributing over 1500 hours of their time. 33 learning and/or training sessions were delivered across the programme by RSS and the network coordinators with over 160 people participating. Now Showing was funded by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Current support available
We no longer run funded programmes awarding grant aid, and instead can suggest new local cinema groups take a look at our Guide to Screening Films, available to download by clicking here. For funding, Film Hub Scotland, Cinema For All or Screen Scotland are recommended. We welcome enquiries from new groups and individuals seeking support for starting screenings, as we’re always happy to offer advice. In the first instance you can use the form below to tell us a little about you and the potential for developing local screenings.
If you’re seeking support to start screenings or support an existing cinema, please complete the form below and one of the team will get back to you:
Addressing Gaps in Screen Provision
Supported by:
