PROJECTS to improve access to cinema across Scotland have been awarded more than £800,000.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop visited one of the 22 schemes to receive funding this year from the £1.6 million Cinema Equipment Fund through Screen Scotland.
The Fife Cultural Trust has received £10,598 to update its equipment at the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline to provide dementia friendly, autism friendly and baby friendly screenings, as well as films which are captioned and audio-described. Films are affordable at £3 per ticket.
Hyslop met with Ruth McCabe from Dementia Friendly Fife, and Gerald King, 56, who has younger onset Alzheimer’s, to discuss the importance of dementia friendly screenings.
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A total of £818,912 has been awarded so far to projects located across the country, from Dumfries to Shetland, and Inverkip to Montrose. Applications for the next round of funding are being invited by January 28 2020.
Hyslop said: “It’s been a really positive year for the Scottish screen sector, and this investment will allow more people to enjoy the big screen experience in their own communities.
Jennifer Armitage from Screen Scotland said: “Right across the country, people are now able to access cinema more easily and in more places, with a broader range of films being made available to audiences.”
The Cinema Equipment Fund was launched by Screen Scotland on March 6 this year to improve access to community cinema across Scotland.
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