Bectu statement on Edinburgh film festival and Filmhouse cinemas collapse

Centre for the Moving Image (CMI), the parent charity that runs the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Edinburgh Filmhouse and the Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen, has today announced the businesses have ceased trading with immediate effect. CMI said it had called in administrators and 102 staff had lost their jobs as a result of the closures.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“This is devastating news for Scotland’s film industry and for the affected staff. We know this will be an incredibly challenging and unsettling time for our members impacted by this news, and we will do everything we can to support them.

“We recognise the very difficult circumstances the CMI is facing and we look forward to working with them and Creative Scotland to explore opportunities to preserve the future of the film festival and independent cinema.

“The creative industries were among the worst hit by the pandemic and the energy crisis is now crippling businesses and venues, with today’s news showing only too well the devastating knock-on effects for workers. We urgently need a targeted, sustained support plan to help safeguard the sector and those who work in it.”