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November 29, 2017
Love local cinema
There was a time when cinemas were on every high street – often as an art deco inspired architectural delight. Most of these have given way to the multiplex with only a few arthouse cinemas clinging on. But the intrinsic joy of going to your local cinema has never faded completely and in the more remote parts of the country, their contribution to overcoming a degree of social and cultural isolation has long been valued. This is why community-led cinema continues to flourish. Fascinating insights into this alt-cinema movement just out from Senscot.
This week sees the publication of the fourth in our series of Policy Briefings – Cinema and Community Regeneration: the role of social enterprise. This Briefing highlights the regenerative effects that local cinema can have on communities, bringing about positive social change through a range of activities. There is a growing recognition that community cinema, at a national and local level, can play an important role in tackling cultural isolation, improving health and well-being and sustaining community cohesion. The Briefing identifies the specific contribution social enterprise makes citing examples via three case studies of community-run cinema: Driftwood (Dumfries and Galloway); The Birks (Aberfeldy); North East Arts Touring (Aberdeenshire).