11/04/2013 - Mobile cinema registers 20% growth

Screen Machine, Scotland’s only mobile cinema has totalled 29,411 admissions, up 20% from last year. Thirty different films were shown in 34 communities from Arran to Bettyhill and new locations added include Strontian, Fort William, Newtonmore, Lairg and Gigha. In all, there were 661 screenings, a 15% increase over last season. The most popular films were Brave, Skyfall [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
film profile] and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

Ron Inglis, Director for Regional Screen Scotland, said, “Screen Machine’s success this year shows there is an appetite for a quality cinema experience throughout Scotland. We’ve been able to show some fantastic films in the past 12 months, some set in Scotland (Brave, Skyfall, The Angels’ Share [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ken Loach
film profile]) as well as other blockbusters like Les Miserables [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile] and Life of Pi. I’d like to thank everyone who has used Screen Machine in the past year, who keep coming back for more, and those in our new locations who have embraced it with such enthusiasm.  We’re looking forward to marking Screen Machine’s 15th birthday with special events during the coming year.”

Kenneth Fowler, Director of Communications, Creative Scotland, said, “Screen Machine is key to ensuring the magic of cinema is available to the whole country, including some of our most remote communities.”  

Screen Machine is an 80-seat, state of the art, 3D digital mobile cinema, which brings a selection of new releases to rural areas where it would otherwise require a car journey of at least 45 minutes to reach an alternative cinema. It is run by Regional Screen Scotland.