An Lanntair is an arts centre in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. We are a registered charity and are celebrating our twenty fifth anniversary this year.
What are your
organisation’s aims:
An Lanntair promotes a year round programme of visual and performing arts, cinema and related education and outreach activities.
How are you funded:
·
Scottish Arts Council is our
main funding source
·
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar
(Western Isles Islands Council), we receive money annually
· and of course earned income from ticket sales and merchandising.
An Lanntair also has a restaurant and bar which was
set up to covenant its profits back into the artistic programme. Individual applications are made for
specific projects from a variety of sources.
Film Programme:
Our auditorium is a multi purpose space and as such we are not a full time cinema, however we aim to screen titles up to three days per week and include mainstream, classic film, arthouse, foreign language, documentary – in fact any kind of film.
As programmer I select the titles taking into account requests that are passed on by our regular audience. Our main audiences are families (so we always aim to have Saturday matinees) and teenagers.
Successful cinema
activity and why?
The
most successful event was our opening screening The Rocket Post (Stephen Whittaker, 2004), which was
a film shot locally but which at that time did not have a distributor. We obtained permission to screen it
over two days and couldn’t cope with the demand! [N.B. The Rocket Post was
distributed by Lionsgate in 2006 and is available for DVD bookings from Filmbank]
And how you dealt with the most Challenging?
One of our greatest challenges is getting films on time as bad weather can of course disrupt the ferry service. Having said that, we have only once had to cancel screenings but it is a constant worry during the winter months.
How do you market your
film programme/venue?
An
Lanntair uses its website, facebook, local paper, direct mailing to members and
those signed up for email newsletter, radio listings, and special promotions
such as cheaper meals in the restaurant for those attending cinemas.
What audience development activity are you currently doing?
We
recently had our first local film makers showcase night and would like to
develop that idea. Also, we would
like to have a film festival at some time in the future but it can be difficult
to find a suitable slot given the various demands on the auditorium space.
Any Tips to pass on?
You must respond to the public regarding what they want to see – creating a balanced programme suitable for an arts centre is our aim, but if there is a demand for a “popcorn” film, then just screen it!
Where can we find out
what films you’re showing:
an
Lanntair on facebook
Lovefilm listings
Where can we go for
further information:
General Contact Details:
Alex
Macdonald (Programmer)
An
Lanntair, Kenneth Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2DS
www.lanntair.com, 01851703307
And your favourite film/director is:
Four Lions (Christopher Morris, 2010) is the best recent film – very
dark, but very funny [Four Lions was
distributed by Optimum in 2010 and is available for DVD bookings from Filmbank]