Save our Screen Machine

by Regional Screen Scotland in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Total raised £30,918

raised so far

+ est. £5684.75 Gift Aid

573

supporters

Join us in securing Scotland's Screen Machine mobile cinema service. Donate now to help build a new cinema that will endure into the 2040s.

by Regional Screen Scotland in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

We're still collecting donations

On the 25th November 2024 we'd raised £30,328 with 552 supporters in 83 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.

Who we are

The Screen Machine is a mobile cinema that’s brought the latest movies to the Highlands and Islands for over 25 years. It’s a vital service and cultural lifeline, delivering edge of the seat entertainment and unforgettable shared experience to everyone who lives in our most cinematic places. But the current vehicle is no longer fit for purpose. It’s on loan after the original Screen Machine was retired following a quarter century of loyal service. This replacement, while greatly appreciated and funded by Screen Scotland, is not designed for constant use, and cannot fit on every ferry meaning some communities go without. We need a sequel.

What we’re doing

With the help of Hollywood legend Alan Cumming, and homeland favourites Tide Lines, we are fundraising for a brand-new Screen Machine. A more accessible, comfortable and sustainable vehicle that can bring the magic of film to all our 44 locations for decades to come.

Bigger, better, bolder.

And essential.

But don’t just take our word for it…

Support for the Screen Machine

“Screen Machine is part of the cultural landscape of Uist and Benbecula. It provides not only a magical cinema experience, but a chance to meet up with friends who may live further away and neighbours…It’s a chance to meet new people. Also people feel welcome and safe to come on their own, so helping to reduce social isolation” - Screen Machine Usher, Liniclate, 2024.

“The Screen Machine is iconic and a vital part of the culture in the Highlands and Islands.” - Rona S McCall, Screen Machine Donor.

Key Facts and Figures

•Screen Machine is in its 27th year.

•It’s managed and operated by registered charity Regional Screen Scotland.

•We show new release cinema, festival films, archive material, photography

•Screen Machine tours 44 communities, 50% of which are islands.

•Locations include Argyll & Bute, Western Isles, North Ayrshire, Highland, Moray and Orkney.

•We make 150 stops across the year selling around 21,000 tickets

•We’re staffed by two full-time operators, and a desk-based team of one full-time and four part-time staff, as well as a network of 70 ushers across each community we visit.

•The new Screen Machine will cost approximately £1.7million with a 50% deposit needed up front.

•The new vehicle will take between 12-18 months to build.

•Our recent letter writing campaign led to Screen Machine being discussed in Parliament, and an impassioned plea from Dame Judi Dench

•In our recent survey (June 2024) to our mailing list, over 1000 responders contributed, and 97% of respondents said that Screen Machine was either Very or Extremely important to their community.

•SM3 will save up to 8,000 litres of diesel, or 20500kgCo2e

 

Donor information 

Do tell your friends, family and colleagues to pop on here and give what they can.  

If you are a UK taxpayer, you can increase the value of your donation by 25% by adding Gift Aid.  

If you are considering a donation over £5,000 we'd welcome a conversation with you. 

Contact us on [email protected] 

For more information (including FAQs) and to join our mailing list, please visit screenmachine.co.uk. We'll send news and updates via our mailing list and also via Crowdfunder to anyone who donates – remember to stay 'opted in' for updates. 

Thank you. 

In the event that we are unable to raise sufficient funds through Crowdfunder and from other sources to commission SM3, all pledges made will be refunded in full, including those made on this Crowdfunder. If the overall project can move forward, then we will use funds donated via this Crowdfunder whether or not the Crowdfunder target level is achieved. 

Regional Screen Scotland is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland SC343553; and a registered charity in Scotland, SC039853, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).  

Staff team: Simon Drysdale (Interim CEO), Fiona Fowler, Brenda Fox, Kevan Jamieson, Angie Jennings, Iain MacColl, Drew Taylor, Harriet Warman. 

Additional information about Regional Screen Scotland/Screen Machine is available on our website.

Rewards

This project offered rewards

£250 or more

Local Hero

As a Local Hero you will - if you wish - receive a pair of V.I.P tickets to your choice of film on Screen Machine in the first year of SM3's operation, plus thanks on-screen and thanks on our website.

£50 or more

Restless Native

As a Restless Native donor we will - if you wish - include your name on a list of supporters on the Screen Machine website, in SM3's first year.

£100 or more

Braveheart

As a Braveheart donor, you will - if you wish - be included on a list of supporters on screen before each screening on the Screen Machine in SM3's first year, and be included on our website list of supporters.

Show your support

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