Friday June 27th 2025
Filmhouses Screen 1 during renovation. Photo by Rod White
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The iconic Edinburgh Filmhouse re-opens its doors today after three years and a £2 million renovation.
Today marks the end of a three campaign to save the historic cinema that was once an essential part of Edinburgh’s film and arts culture. Filmhouse closed its doors in October 2022, now returning newly refurbished, with new leadership and backed with multi-year funding that secures the cinema up until 2028.
Offering half price tickets today, on their re-opening day, Filmhouse is returning with a stacked programme of blockbuster films, including new releases and hits from earlier on in the year. Screening a hand-picked collection of must-see films the cinema missed out on in their three years of closure, putting a strong emphasis on films that did not screen in the city because of the cinema’s closure.
Re-opening came after a three year long battle, supported by a-list actors and film institutes across the country, alongside support and funding from Screen Scotland, Creative Scotland and the UK Government, allowing the cinema to open with a newly refurbished interior.
The refurbishment includes a new 100-seat bar, a new additional 4th screen and other modern facilties. Due to the additional screen the cinema is expanding from a 90 seat capacity to 350.
Alongside offering new modern comfortable facilities, the cinema is returning with a wide-ranging film programme showcasing world-class cinema alongside film festivals due to a partnership with many Scottish Film Festivals. Alongside this, Filmhosue will also screen events such as, National Theatre live and Metropolitan Opera Broadcast for the first time.
Andrew Simpson, Executive Director of Filmhouse, explained when the cinema’s re-opeing was announced at the beginning of June, “The love for Filmhouse never went away, it was just waiting to be reignited. The incredible response to its closure showed us how vital this space is, not just for Edinburgh, but for audiences across Scotland and beyond. We are returning with fresh energy, a clear plan for the future, and a commitment to delivering world-class film experiences for everyone. Filmhouse belongs to its community, and we’re excited to welcome people back.”
With the stage set and screens ready, Filmhouse will continue its story beginning today, bringing the iconic film institute back to the Edinburgh public and continuing to support film across Scotland. Tickets are almost sold out for today’s re-opening but the vast programme of films are available all week round, visit filmhouse.org.uk for more information.
Read our article surrounding Filmhouses renovation and re-opening process below.
Date set for the re-opening of iconic Edinburgh cinema
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