Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd. are thrilled to announced that Charlotte Wells and Jack Lowden are to be inaugural patrons of Filmhouse, Edinburgh’s unique cultural cinema, which is scheduled for re-opening at the turn of the year after a substantial refurbishment.
This news celebrates the signing of a 25 year lease with owners Caledonian Heritable Ltd. which will mean that Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd. can proceed with the refurbishment plans that will see the existing cinema building fully modernised. The lease is renewable.
Charlotte Wells, the film director who cut her teeth as a member of Filmhouse’s early education initiative Scottish Kids Are Making Movies and went on to wow Cannes with the multi-award winning Aftersun said: “I’m so pleased that these doors will finally reopen, providing an essential space in Edinburgh for audiences to discover films they might not otherwise see — films that challenge their perceptions of people, places, and the form itself.
"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.”
Award-winning Scots actor Jack Lowden, currently known for TV hit series Slow Horses, has been a loud champion of the cinema before and after its closure in 2022 said: “I made a beeline 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.”
Filmhouse spokesperson said: “We are delighted that Jack and Charlotte will be patrons and champions of Filmhouse. Charlotte is living proof of the opportunity that exists for young people to find their feet – and their voice – in the medium of film at Filmhouse and, if they choose to, go on to work internationally. Jack is hugely articulate about the importance of Filmhouse as a place that screens and makes accessible every form of cinema – particularly the independent voices – which Filmhouse does day in day out. Signing the lease means we are a significant step further down the road towards re-opening the doors and putting great cinema back on the screens.”
In March Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd. were awarded £1.4m from the UK Levelling Up Community Ownership Fund towards a full refurbishment of the cinemas and café bar including the creation of a new fourth screen. A significant sum has also been raised – through a long running Crowdfunder showing huge public support, as well as philanthropic donations. Signing the lease means the work can start.
The re-opened Filmhouse will operate independently as a unique cinema destination and will run the in-house café-bar to support the charity. From its reopening the venue will work to develop new audiences in Edinburgh, to support a wide range of local and national film festivals, and to deliver cultural cinema in all its diversity.
Filmhouse, which operated successfully on Lothian Road from 1979, and was known for presenting the most ambitious and diverse cinema programme in the UK outside the BFI Southbank, closed in October 2022 when its parent company, CMI, went into administration. The new company and charity, Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd, was formed in January 2023 by four former colleagues who persuaded the new owner – Caledonian Heritable – to lease the building to them so that the much missed cultural cinema provision for the City could be restored under new management.
Screen Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council have been working with FEL to secure a future for cultural cinema in the city. Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd. have received substantial funding from both in enabling the process of taking on the lease on the building at 88 Lothian Road, the former home of Filmhouse cinema.
Isabel Davis, Executive Director of Screen Scotland said: “The strength of will from Filmhouse’s many supporters – including Charlotte Wells and Jack Lowden - to save this institution speaks volumes: notably about its role in providing a way into the filmmaking professions and in helping generations of audiences to access the life-enhancing world of global cinema in all its rich history and diversity.
"Our team at Screen Scotland saw from the outset what the loss of the Filmhouse would mean and threw themselves at the challenge of resurrecting it. We’re delighted to see Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd. sign the lease with Caledonian Heritable. It’s wonderful that the dedicated Filmhouse team can now begin the refurbishment which will take us all a step closer to opening the doors of this key cultural asset.”
City of Edinburgh Council Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “We’re delighted to see Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd. sign the lease with Caledonian Heritable. It’s wonderful that they can now begin the refurbishment which will take us all a step closer to re-opening this key cultural asset.
“Filmhouse is much loved by the community, and this upcoming re-opening is very exciting for residents and visitors alike.
“We’re committed to having a home for cultural cinema in the heart of the city and for the wider sector going forward. Edinburgh is rightly one of the great cultural cities of the world and cinema is a key part of this landscape.”