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As Screen Machine gets set to roll back into Highland film frame, little sister takes a bow


By John Davidson

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The Screen Machine brings films to far-flung parts of the Highlands.
The Screen Machine brings films to far-flung parts of the Highlands.

The Screen Machine mobile cinema is revving up for a return to Highlands and Islands communities from mid-May.

In the meantime, film fans can take advantage of a new service provided by its operator, Regional Screen Scotland.

A new video on demand service has been launched on the back of the successful mobile big sister called Small Screen Machine.

It will bring more of the kind of films customers are used to seeing on the Screen Machine into people's homes.

The service has launched with 35 films, split into five categories: Screen Machine Selects; Beyond Screen Machine; Family; Documentaries; and Films We Love.

Robert Livingston, director of Regional Screen Scotland, said: “Lockdown has caused a revolution in the way that films are viewed. We know that many of our customers are not only enjoying films for free on terrestrial television, but also on streaming platforms.

"Now, with Small Screen Machine, we have the opportunity to launch our own video on demand platform, with films selected specifically for the Screen Machine audience, by the team that has been choosing films for more than 20 years.

"What’s more, the service is available throughout the UK so customers can enjoy a little bit of Screen Machine magic whether they are in Gairloch or Glasgow, Durness or Dundee, Liniclate or London.”

The Screen Machine mobile cinema has visited 40-plus communities in the Highlands & Islands for 21 years, bringing mainstream movies where there is no ‘bricks and mortar’ cinema.

Communities wait on average 12 weeks for a visit, and can choose from an average of four or five films per visit. Due to the popularity of the Screen Machine, screenings often sell out in advance.

Sambrooke Scott, screen officer at Screen Scotland, said: “The pandemic has accelerated change across the film exhibition sector and Small Screen Machine is a great example of a positive development that's come about through challenging times.

"The Screen Machine is a much-loved part of the Scottish cinema sector; its visits to communities across Scotland bring the magic of cinema to many and the launch of Small Screen Machine will ensure audiences are able to enjoy great films at home right now, and between visits once its big sister is back on the road.”

Films can be rented at a cost of between £3.49 and £10 for a 48-hour window. A portion of the rental fee will go back to Regional Screen Scotland and be reinvested in the services it provides. Each month, more films will be added, and some removed.

Films can be watched on customers’ devices and there are no membership or subscription charges. Customers can access the Small Screen Machine at www.smallscreenmachine.co.uk

The full-size Screen Machine service is currently aiming to resume shortly after May 17.


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