News

We are thrilled to announced that Charlotte Wells and Jack Lowden are to be inaugural patrons of Filmhouse and this news celebrates the signing of the lease with owners Caledonian Heritable Ltd. (on 10th July) which will mean that Filmhouse (Edinburgh) Ltd (FEL) can now proceed with the much anticipated refurbishment that will see the existing cinema building fully modernised.

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 her multi-award winning debut feature Aftersun, has 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.” 

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:

“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.”

Of course 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 is also a great reason to celebrate as it means we are a significant step further down the road towards re-opening the doors and putting great cinema back on the screens.

As ever we want to acknowledge Screen Scotland (the Screen arm of Creative Scotland) and City of Edinburgh Council who have been working with FEL to secure a future for cultural cinema in the city. We have received substantial funding from both in enabling the process of taking on the lease on the building at 88 Lothian Road.

Isabel Davis, Executive Director, Screen Scotland has commented - “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 (Edinburgh) Ltd is much loved by the community, and this anticipated 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.”

Thank you to everyone who has helped get us to this point – we carry your support in to the next phase which will concentrate on the building and refurbishment work, expanding the Board and starting up the organisation that will actually run Filmhouse.