Curtain up again on Light House cinema

THE Light House has reopened nine months after the
curtain was pulled on the arthouse cinema in Smithfield.

New proprietors Element Pictures wasted no time in
re-launching the cinema just days after it was announced that it would reopen.

The state-of-the-art cinema closed last April with the
loss of 20 jobs following the granting of a winding-up order to the site’s
landlords.

The rebirth of the cinema was hailed as a welcome good
news story for the Irish film industry and for the local Smithfield area.

According to Minister of State for Trade and
Development, Joe Costello, his colleague Minister for Arts Heritage and the
Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, was instrumental in getting the cinema back up and
running.

“I commend the work done by him to engage key
stakeholders which led to the reopening of this cinema, after its unfortunate
closure last April,

? stated Minister Costello.

“I am delighted that the reopening will be marked by
the hosting of the annual Jameson Dublin International Film Festival.

“The nominations for this year’s Irish Film and
Television Awards (IFTA) show that we have much talent to showcase in film,
drama, documentary and animation, and with the re-opening of the Light House
Cinema we can ensure that this wealth and diversity of talent, will continue to
have a platform in our capital city.

“When the cinema closed its door last year, 20 people
lost their jobs, as well as leading to a loss of revenue for surrounding local
businesses.

?

Deputy Costello said he was hopeful that the Light
House Cinema’s reopening would aid the on-going regeneration of the Smithfield
area by increasing valuable footfall.

Directors of Element Pictures Andrew Lowe and Ed
Guiney said they were also delighted that the Light House would be screening
films again.

“We are opening the cinema at the earliest possible
opportunity and have lots of ideas which we will implement over the coming
months,

? they said.

“We really appreciate the warm support and goodwill we
have received on foot of the news and we look forward to ensuring that a visit
to the Light House is a unique and wonderful experience.

“We would also like to extend our thanks to Minister
Jimmy Deenihan, the Arts Council and Bord Scannán na h�ireann (Irish Film
Board) for their support in getting the cinema up and running again

?

In welcoming the reopening of cinema Minister Deenihan
said:

“The Programme for the Government committed us to seek to capture some
public good from NAMA buildings for arts and culture facilities.

“The reopening of the Light House is a tangible
expression of that commitment. I believe that this outcome is hugely positive
for the arthouse cinema sector, for the Smithfield area and for employment and
economic regeneration locally.

?