A NEW cinema in the Highlands is now open after a “labour of love” led by the local film society.
The Personal History Of David Copperfield by Scots satirist Armando Iannucci (below) and Greta Gerwig’s Little Women were shown yesterday as the first public screenings at Cromarty Cinema, a plush 35-seater picture house situated by the Black Isle town’s harbour.
Movies to be screened this month also include Jumanji II, Bombshell, A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood and The Lighthouse.
The new cinema hosts an open day on February 20, when visitors can learn how the project developed from being a “wine-fuelled dream” to reality, thanks to funders such as Creative Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and multiple individual sponsors.
The drive to create a local purpose-built cinema was led by the Cromarty Film and Resolis Society (CFRS) whose annual festival each December sees films screened around the town, including onto the exterior walls of the town’s lighthouse.
Tickets for February are on the door only, with members offered priority seats for CFRS screenings.
The society’s website thanks all members for their support over the years, stating: “You gave us the spark.”
From March, tickets will be available online and from the box office of Eden Court in Inverness whose partnership with the CFRS is, they say, “based on a shared vision of building a more diverse audience for film, bringing a range of world-class cinema to a predominantly rural area”.
CFRS chair Tanya Karlebach says: “The opening of a purpose-built cinema in a rural town of 700 seemed a mad idea two years ago, so we are incredibly excited to be opening our doors so soon. The cinema is a labour of love made possible by a range of generous funders, including Highland Leader, Creative Scotland, Viridor Credits, The Robertson Trust, Beatrice Partnership, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Foyle Foundation, as well as an enormous amount of volunteer time.
“The Cromarty and Resolis Film Society is built on the idea that film is better when shared, and we are delighted to have Eden Court as our partners in making this possible for even more people.”
Cromarty Cinema, Harbour Access Road, Cromarty, various times, £7.50, £5 students. www.cromartyandresolisfilmsociety.org www.eden-court.co.uk
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