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Edinburgh Filmhouse
Photo: Max Crawford
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Jack Lowden at the EIFF opening gala for Tommy's Honour in 2016
Photo: Pako Mera © EIFF, Edinburgh International Film Festival All Rights Reserved
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The reopening of Edinburgh Filmhouse took another positive step this week as a 25-year renewable lease was finally signed with Caledonian Heritable, which now owns the cinema's former premises on the city's Lothian Road.
The team of former staff behind the campaign to reopen the much-loved arthouse venue also announced that Aftersun director Charlotte Wells and Benediction star Jack Lowden will be inaugural patrons.
The news comes after the Open the Doors crowdfunder raised more than £300,000. The project was also awarded £1.4 million from the UK government’s Levelling Up Community Ownership Fund, which is expected to go ahead despite the change of goverment. The fundraiser was a response to the loss of the venue, which was sold following the collapse of parent company Centre for the Moving Image in October 2022.
Wells – who was a member of Filmhouse’s early education initiative Scottish Kids Are Making Movies – said: “The Filmhouse was an essential part of my own story and I’m delighted it can continue to be that for others too through its film and education programming and its role as a public forum for film lovers. I’m proud to be an inaugural patron and can’t wait to sit back down there myself.”
Lowden said: “I made a bee-line for Filmhouse when I lived in Edinburgh and loved the diversity of its programme; showing films from around the world as well supporting independent and local filmmakers – and so many film festivals happen there. I’m delighted that it’s on track to re-open and honoured to be a patron and champion of what will be again a truly great, independent cinema.”
It is hoped the venue will finally reopen around the turn of the year.
