A £1.49m project to build a brand-new Screen Machine – Scotland’s mobile cinema, will ensure that rural and island communities can enjoy the latest films close to home.
For almost 30 years, Screen Machine has served more than 34,000 people across 44 communities, half of them on islands, offering a digital cinema experience where no permanent cinema exists.
The first Screen Machine (1997), commissioned by a partnership including Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), was an innovation aimed at widening cultural access, reducing travel barriers and developing local film audiences across the Highlands and Islands.
The prototype generated the evidence, leading to design improvements. Its successor, launched in 2005, combined these enhancements with greater reliability and longevity, operating for 18 years - three years beyond its planned lifespan.
When it reached the end of its life in 2023, operator Regional Screen Scotland (RSS) leased Cinémobile - a temporary replacement, while a new unit was being built. However, access challenges with the stand-in cinema meant visits to some locations had to be halted.
The new eco-friendly Screen Machine is currently being built in France with delivery expected in June 2026 and screenings are set to resume the following month.
It will continue its journey by lorry and ferry, bringing films to communities beyond the reach of traditional cinemas.
RSS launched a crowdfunding campaign to help finance the project, inviting supporters to play a part in creating the next-generation Screen Machine.
HIE has awarded £350,000 to help secure its future.
Rachel Hunter, director of enterprise and community support at HIE said:
“The Screen Machine is an important service for rural communities, providing access to cinema and creating a social occasion. Before its introduction, some people faced journeys of up to 100 miles to reach a cinema. The new Screen Machine will ensure that communities can enjoy the latest releases, independent films and archive material close to home, while reducing carbon emissions by eliminating the need for long-distance travel.
“We recognise the invaluable role that cultural organisations play in the wellbeing of the region - promoting the arts, creating employment and engaging with communities. That’s why we are very pleased to support this project, which will see a new Screen Machine back on the road for years to come.”
Simon Drysdale, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Regional Screen Scotland, said:
“The colossal joint effort from our supporters to raise £1.49m has been humbling. We sincerely thank everyone who got involved, whether you wrote to your MSP, dropped some change into our collection bucket or held a fundraising event. Our next challenges are to ensure successful completion of the build and to set up a resilience fund for upgrades, maintenance and repairs to the new cinema.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:
“The Screen Machine service has been an iconic part of rural and island life in Scotland for more than 26 years and I’m delighted that the campaign to save it has been successful.
“The Scottish Government is proud to have contributed £500,000 towards the purchase of a new mobile cinema that will continue this service along our ferry network and rural roads for many years to come.”
The new unit will cut carbon emissions by up to 90% and be far more eco-efficient. Unlike the current diesel-powered model, both the truck and cinema will run on hydro-treated vegetable oil.
Ends.
Notes to editors
Alongside generous public donations of more than £70k through crowd funding, other funding has been approved by the Scottish Government (£500k), SSEN Transmission’s Community Fund (£350k), the Anne Duchess of Westminster’s Fund (£150k), and various trusts and foundations (£77k).