A PETITION to save Edinburgh’s International Film Festival, The Filmhouse Cinema and Café Bar in Edinburgh and Aberdeen’s Belmont Filmhouse has now reached almost 8500 signatures.
On Thursday, it was announced that the two acclaimed independent cinemas would stop trading with immediate effect.
The Centre for the Moving Image (CMI), which also runs Edinburgh International Film Festival, will also cease trading as administrators assess the future.
The petition, started by Paul Sng, reads: “102 cinema workers at Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Filmhouse and Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen immediately lost their jobs when the Centre for the Moving Image ceased trading on October 6.
“Edinburgh and Aberdeen have lost their leading independent cinema, and for their film communities, essential cultural hubs.”
The petition currently has 8434 signatures.
On Saturday, hundreds gathered at Krakatoa bar in Aberdeen to discuss plans to save the Belmont Filmhouse.
The meeting was organised by Jacob Campbell and the Save the Belmont Cinema group.
Around 15 speakers stood up and spoke to the crowd which was made up of staff who recently lost their jobs, politicians and activists.
Owner of the bar Craig Adams, 51, was the first person to speak at the meeting. He believes the Belmont should be set up as a Community Interest Company, which is the same type of organisation as Krakatoa.
He told The Press and Journal: “It would mean decisions are taken through consensus voting.
“This means something can’t happen unless people are prepared to go along with it as a group.”
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman was also in attendance at the meeting. She told the crowd: “If you need advice, just ask.”
Dallas King, 42, worked at the Belmont for 13 years and eventually became its manager. He told the newspaper: “The cost-of-living crisis means viewing habits have changed and it’s a very difficult time to launch a cinema.
“I know first-hand it is very difficult to make money. It’s not something you would want to rush into.
“I think right now it has community support but we would need a business brain behind it.”
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would explore what support options were available.
According to the CMI, energy costs and reduced trade have had a major impact on the sector.
It added that “immediate action” was needed in the face of “unprecedented” challenges.
At the end of the meeting, Campbell gathered a list of names who wanted to put themselves forward for the action group.
They have asked for those with experience in law, accounting and public affairs to come forward before deciding what course of action to take.
The petition can be accessed HERE.
