Funding boost for Save our Screen Machine campaign
13 February 2025
The campaign to raise £1.7m to keep the Screen Machine mobile cinema on the road
has received a massive boost.
SSEN Transmission has awarded £350,000 to the initiative which operates cinema on
wheels bringing blockbuster films to the Western Isles and Highlands.
Regional Screen Scotland (RSS) which runs the Screen Machine will put this entire
award towards its fundraising campaign to raise £1.7m that is needed to build a new
Screen Machine mobile cinema that will serve communities into the 2040s.
This almost doubles the total amount that has been pledged so far.
Simon Drysdale, interim chief executive officer of RSS, said: “We are delighted to
have been chosen for funding in the first round of awards made through the new SSEN
Transmissions Regional Community Fund.
“Our award of £350,000 moves us closer to realising our ambition of building a new
state-of-the-art Screen Machine mobile cinema for the Scottish Highlands & Islands
and continuing to bring the magic of film to 44 communities.
“News of this generous funding from SSEN Transmission follows the announcement that
we have been awarded core funding for our service through Creative Scotland’s Multi
Year Funding.”
These announcements give the body stability to continue to deliver the service and
continue to fundraise for a total of £1.7 million.
So far, half of the target sum has been reached taking into account the sum of this
award and other pledges, plus the donations of around £50,000 from the public fundraising
campaign.
“Our campaign is building momentum and we hope this gives other potential funders
the confidence that our goal is realistic, achievable and in sight. To all those
who have donated so far, we thank you for coming on board and being part of our ambition
to secure the magical Screen Machine service.”
