More than 200 independent cinemas across England, including three in the Black Country, are being supported this Christmas with £16 million in grants from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

202 cinemas have received funding so far from a £30 million pot allocated by the British Film Institute, on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, as part of the biggest ever single investment in this country’s cultural sectors. More grant applications from independent cinemas are also currently being assessed.

The venues in the Black Country who have benefited from funding include the Light Cinema in Walsall, Reel Cinema in Halesowen and the Light House in Wolverhampton. Cinemas will be able to apply for another £14 million in grants in the new year as part of the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund. The new round of funding is in addition to the £30 million already being allocated by the BFI.

Recognising that cinemas need content, during this crisis, the Government’s Film and TV Production Restart Scheme has helped keep the cameras rolling at the other end of the screen supply chain. The £500 million scheme, which opened for applications in October, has assured nearly 100 productions that they will be supported if future losses are incurred due to Covid-19 and provided the confidence they need to restart filming. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“The magic of film is such an important part of the festive period and this investment will help protect our independent cinemas so they're around for many Christmases to come.

"Alongside it, the extension of the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme means the UK will be producing even more great content as the cinema industry recovers, keeping us at the forefront of the creative industries.”

From today, the scope of the Restart Scheme has been extended so that cast and crew over the age of 70 can be included in the cover provided by the scheme. The changes to the scheme will enable productions to receive compensation for Covid-related delays affecting up to two cast or crew members over 70 years old.

This extension will give productions that involve cast and crew over 70 the confidence to start or restart production, increasing employment opportunities for this group.

£14 million in further support will be made available to cinemas through a second round of funding allocated by the BFI early next year from the remainder of the Culture Recovery Fund. Funding was held back to allow the Government to respond to the changing public health picture and will support cinemas at imminent risk of collapse before the end of this financial year.

Cinemas which have not yet applied as well as those that have already received support will be able to apply for additional funding to help cover reopening costs from April to June next year. Guidance for applicants and eligibility criteria will be published by the BFI; Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund have also published guidance for applications to the next round of grants.

Cinemas are also able to apply to the repayable finance scheme for arts and cultural organisations.