Hollywood star Alan Cumming has thrown his support behind the fundraisers seeking £1.8 million to reopen Aberfeldy’s cinema.
The X-Men actor was born in the town and is patron of the Birks Cinema Group, which has raised £1 million of the £1.8 million needed to restore and reopen the building.
With a deadline to secure grant funding fast approaching, the group launched its final six-month drive to secure the remaining cash with a ringing endorsement from its famous backer.
He said: “It will be fantastic to see the old building brought back to life and up to date. It’s now or never, with only six months to go to create a new hub and complete the triangle for arts and culture in the heart of Perthshire, alongside Pitlochry’s Festival Theatre and Birnam’s Arts Centre.”
The group has bought the building, researched and produced a business plan and designed a complete refurbishment but now needs the remaining money to bring the project to life.
Friends of Birks Cinema (FOBC) chairwoman Charlotte Flower said: “A modern, high-tech, state-of-the-art facility to rival any city equivalent will offer many benefits to Highland Perthshire as a region, not just to Aberfeldy.
“It will show the latest films in 3D to enjoy with family and friends and be able to show live broadcast links of sports and cultural events from around the world.
“It will add significantly to the attractions of Aberfeldy as a tourist destination and in turn will bring further economic opportunities.”
Ron Inglis, director of Regional Screen Scotland, said, “The redevelopment of the Birks Cinema is a crucial part of our agency’s aim of getting modern, high-quality digital cinemas into smaller towns in Scotland.
“The Birks Cinema can become a wonderful example of how new digital media can be used to create a vibrant and successful cinema and cultural centre in rural areas.
“I really look forward to enjoying films in the new venue and I’m sure it will be a terrific cultural and entertainment addition to Aberfeldy and Perth-shire’s facilities.”
FOBC has set out a range of ways for people to support the cinema and has launched new Facebook (link) and Twitter (link) profiles. Supporters can join more than 320 existing Friends and individual donations or £1000 seat sponsorships are available.For more information visit www.birkscinemafriends.org.uk