42 independent cinemas from across England have received a cash boost from the UK government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, in the first awards made by the British Film Institute (BFI) to support England’s screen sector, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced today.
The first tranche of money from the £30 million pot is being allocated by the BFI on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), it will support cinemas across England from the Jam Jar Cinema in Whitley Bay, Northumberland, down to Devon’s Totnes Cinema.
This important cash boost of more than £650,000 will help independent cinemas - the cultural organisation closest to home for so many people - weather the storm of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cinemas supported in the Midlands include:
- Regal Cinema, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, £8,375
- Red Carpet Cinema, Barton under Needwood, Staffordshire, £9,973
- Kinema in the Woods, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, £4,002
- The Clifton Community Arts Centre (Wellington Orbit), West Midlands, £3,662
- The Northern Light Cinema, Derbyshire, £8,050
- Ritz Cinema, Belper, Derbyshire, £10,000
- Reel Cinemas, Dudley (West Midlands), Scala (Ilkeston, Derbyshire), Majestic (Bridgnorth, Shropshire)
Applications remain open, as does Film Hub Midlands application support.
We are very grateful to the Culture Recovery Fund for supporting the costs of putting into place safety measures and providing PPE which meant we could safely reopen our doors.
The support for independent cinemas has been welcomed by Luther co-stars Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson.
Idris Elba OBE, award-winning actor, producer and director (Mandela, The Long Walk to Freedom, Yardie, Luther) and BFI Governor said:
“In a time with so much change and uncertainty around us, there is comfort in the familiarity of a comfy pair of seats and some popcorn at your local cinema. It's a simple and effective way of bonding with our cities and culture. We depend on the independent cinema and they depend on us to support them, now more than ever."
Ruth Wilson, actor and producer (Saving Mr Banks, His Dark Materials, Mrs. Wilson),
Said:
“What lockdown has made very clear is how vital local communities are. I am thrilled independent cinemas will be able to access the Culture Recovery Fund. They, alongside all local arts organisations are lifelines for their communities and for the people that work in them. It was in my local cinema in Walton-on-Thames where I saw films for the first time that moved me, that made me understand the power of storytelling, the power of communal watching and made me want to be part of that world.”
Cinemas are able to apply for Safety Grants, to help independent venues meet the additional costs of creating a safe and covid-secure environment for staff and audiences, and Business Sustainability grants of up to £200,000 to help stabilise venues as they reopen.
Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive said:
“The Government’s support for independent cinemas through the Culture Recovery Fund is having a positive impact for venues and local communities in cities, towns and villages across the country as they reopen with new covid-safe measures in place and new releases including current hits Rocks, After We Collided, Tenet and Monsoon, re-releases of classics such as La Haine and Star Wars, and the forthcoming Saint Maud and Eternal Beauty, all from great talent. Thanks to the Culture Recovery Fund we look forward to more cinemas gearing up to reopen in the coming weeks.”
Saffron Screen, received £46,096 to help the venue restart its screenings including its pop-up screenings in in local villages providing the only opportunity in the area to see a range of films from mainstream to foreign language and archive as well as streaming performances like Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes.
Kinema in the Woods, in Woodhall Spa, received a Safety Grant of £4,002 so that the site can welcome back its diverse audiences that attend its wide range of screenings including baby-friendly film showings and regular accessible screenings for local people with autism and dementia.
The £30 million fund will remain open for applications until 30 October and support for cinemas making an application is available from the BFI.
To support the UK’s film industry at every point of the screen supply chain the government has also opened the application process for the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme to help productions get the cameras rolling.
