Centre Screen Case Study
Centre Screen takes mobile film screening equipment into village halls and other community-based venues throughout Leicestershire and Rutland, so that those who might otherwise have to travel some distance to cinemas can enjoy film on their doorstep in an informal environment.
"It's a brilliant idea. We do go into the city centre to the cinema but it can be a lot of effort – particularly if people have to rely on public transport."
The seven districts and boroughs of Leicestershire and its County Council, together with the small neighbouring county of Rutland, had set up a rural touring scheme for live performance, Centre Stage, in 2002. Building on the early success of this scheme, a pilot project for the touring of film to rural and community venues in the county was established in 2003. Within the county there were two small cinemas in Loughborough and Melton Mowbray, but otherwise residents had to travel to Leicester, or to Nottingham or other towns outside the county, in order to see film on the 'big screen'.
"This is as much about vibrant village centres and community development as it is about cinema"
The scheme uses portable cinema equipment to provide film screenings in alternative venues. Initially, two mobile film-screening kits were purchased, although more have been acquired since. Centre Screen works with voluntary promoters based at venues as diverse as village halls, libraries, community centres, schools and colleges – anywhere that is a meeting point for local people and can provide some very basic facilities. These venues are turned into temporary cinemas so that local people can enjoy films old and new at a friendly nearby venue.
Centre Screen Case Study