£500,000 for Independent Local Cinemas

THE UK Film Council has revealed the imminent publication of the Capital and Access Fund for Cinemas, designed to assist regional and national cinema operators to undertake and/or complete capital projects.

This fund exists to particularly help works that are considered essential to the cinema’s continued existence or of benefit to audiences that may currently be excluded (for example, by improving access for disabled cinemagoers).

Independent cinemas (those in a circuit of fewer than nine cinemas) have until 30 November 2007 to apply for funding of up to 50% of the cost of the project, subject to a maximum award of £50,000.

Peter Buckingham, Head of Distribution and Exhibition at the UK Film council said:

“We hope this funding will help small, local cinemas to remain at the heart of their communities offering all audiences access to fresh and exciting films in a comfortable environment.

“Facilities for cinema-goers with hearing and sight impairments have improved over recent years but are still too patchy, that’s why we are hoping to fund a number of cinemas to improve their access.”

Details of the Capital & Access Fund are now on the UK Film Council website - www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/cinemagoing/distributionandexhibition/capitalandaccessfund/