Film Exhibition Fund 2024: Recipients announced

We are delighted to announce the final recipients of this year’s Film Exhibition Fund.

The Film Exhibition Fund supports Film Hub Scotland members to reach new and diverse audiences and offer the best independent film experiences to their local communities.

Five organisations have secured support for their audience-facing screening projects in 2024/25:

Cumbernauld Theatre Trust: Lanternhouse Inclusive Film Series: Featuring Dementia-Friendly Screenings and Community Engagement

Lanternhouse is a performing arts centre in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, jointly managed by North Lanarkshire Council and Cumbernauld Theatre, a third sector arts charity.

The Lanternhouse Inclusive Film Series will offer a range of accessible screenings and enhanced activities designed to engage D/deaf and visually impaired audiences. The programme will feature a mix of independent and specialised films, ranging from foreign language to archive films. Many screenings will be accompanied by Q&A sessions with filmmakers and panel discussions on relevant social issues to deepen audience engagement and understanding. Community outreach will develop partnerships to broaden audience engagement.

Dundee Contemporary Arts: Discovery Film Festival 2024 – Young Children and Family Audience Pilot

Discovery Film Festival (DFF) is the only film festival in Scotland exclusively focussed on developing young audiences for cultural films. It takes place every year at Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA).

The Festival’s 21st edition will present 11 new feature films from across the world for children and young people. This year, DFF’s pre-festival engagement will include a Young Children and Family Audience Pilot which will work with partners to deliver screenings in community venues around Dundee. Pilot screenings will connect with families who are not regular visitors to DCA, and who may have barriers to accessing the programme.

Refractive Scotland: Paisley Screen – Radical and Independent

The Paisley Screen – Radical and Independent Project from Refractive Scot will present a specialist programme of current films by local and international independent film makers. The programme aims to inspire and encourage Renfrewshire-based audiences to experience radical and boundary-pushing cinema. Feature films will be accompanied by short films made by local or Scottish filmmakers. Plus, films will be accompanied by Q&A events, lectures and local artist exhibitions across different venues.

The Pyramid at Anderston: The Pyramid Community Cinema

The Pyramid’s Community Cinema programme began in Winter 2019, screening films for children and family audiences alongside international films. Last year, they developed a Community Cinema Panel who will continue to suggest and select films for this year’s programme. The Pyramid priorities showing local audiences films in their own language and which reflect their experiences, culture or heritage. Screenings will be enhanced by special guests, Q&As, introductions, panels and themed food.  Last year, a screening of Poor Things was accompanied by an exhibition from the Alasdair Gray Archive and Q&A with the curator of the archive.

The Brunton Theatre Trust: The Brunton @ Haddington – Film Programme

The Brunton Theatre Trust (The Brunton) has run a successful film programme at their base at The Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh for many years. Whilst the building is closed for repairs, The Brunton has moved the programme to alternative spaces, including the Haddington Corn Exchange. They will hold a fortnightly Friday film day showing three titles per day. Each programme will consist of a family focused film, an alternative/independent film, and a mainstream title. The Brunton hopes to create a central point for audiences in Musselburgh, North Berwick and Dunbar to connect with audiences.

Image credit: Glasgow Short Film Festival 2024: Scottish Competition 3 – Photo by Ingrid Muir