The Cameo, one of Edinburgh's best-loved cinemas, will not be operating as a venue at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival because its screens don't meet industry standards. Designed to work well with 3D movies, the silver screen that is the Cameo's largest apparently delivers poor quality in screenings of ordinary 2D films, which make up the bulk of those shown at the festival.
"We're disappointed not to be taking part in the festival this year, but hope to take part in the future," said a spokeswoman for the Cameo. It has been a key festival venue for many years and even starred in the 2010 edition's opening gala film, The Illusionist, in animated form.
"Generally, I prefer the Cameo to the huge airconditioned no-personality boxes of the chain cinemas. I've been to EIFF films at the Cameo in past years and everything was fine - I don't see a reason to stop using it, and I do think the EIFF should be supporting Edinburgh's independent cinemas," said one local filmgoer, Jane Carnall. Another, Susan Timothy, said she thinks of the Cameo as exactly the kind of cinema the festival should be there to promote. "It always has a good mix of films, from art-house to popular, and also has classic oldies on the programme."
