Screen machine returns to Arran after funding boost

The money from SSEN Transmission brings a significant boost to the Save Our Screen machine campaign goal of £1.7 million.

Thanks to the award, Regional Screen Scotland (RSS) is closer to realising its ambition of building a new state of the art mobile cinema that will transport film magic to 44 communities across the Highlands and islands - including Arran of course.

Until April 2026, a leased cinema is in use, thanks to financial support from Screen Scotland.

Screen Machine returns to Arran and to Ormidale Park from Wednesday March 19 to Saturday March 22. The film line up includes Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, BAFTA winning and Oscar nominated thriller Conclave, kids’ movie Dog Man, blockbuster Wicked and also a documentary in Danish with English subtitles called As The Tide Comes In, about a tiny island community menaced by climate change. You can see the full programme and book tickets here  www.screenmachine.co.uk/">www.screenmachine.co.uwww.screenmachine.co.uk/">k

RSS was named as one of ten organisations across the north of Scotland to benefit from SSEN Transmission’s Regional Community Benefit Fund.

Simon Drysdale who is RSS’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, said: “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. Together these announcements give us stability to continue to deliver the service and continue to fundraise for a total of £1.7m.

“The sum of this award and other pledges, plus the donations that we have raised from our public fundraising campaign which is close to £50,000, brings our total to half of our target. 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.”

This is SSEN Transmission’s first ever community benefit funding awards. In a very competitive process, Regional Screen Scotland’s application was one of 328 applications. The total amount awarded is the first £2m tranche from an initial £10m fund which could eventually see over £100m of support for communities throughout the region.

Independent Chairman of SSEN Transmission Community Benefit Fund, and former Scottish Government Minister Peter Peacock said: “The projects we have been able to fund won through against stiff competition and are all designed to make a real difference to people, places and cultural life in the north.”

RSS now has a professional fundraiser and project manager to help steer  it through the next crucial phase in reaching the £1.7m target and commencing the build of a tailor made vehicle.

You can donate and learn more about the fundraising campaign at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-screen-machine" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=screenmachine.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D481366d61828cfc0003c856c2%26id%3Dfab4e81290%26e%3D2390b52059&source=gmail&ust=1741099066327000&usg=AOvVaw34rtsLSbmFGaRaGM78_HB7">www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-our-screen-machine