Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is pleased to announce that Silver City Cinema has been awarded another $35,000 grant from the SCREEN Fund.

Broken Hill’s Silver City Cinema has been able to keep its doors open and the projectors rolling, thanks to a $35,000 grant under the second round of the Coalition Government’s $20 million Supporting Cinemas’ Retention Endurance and Enhancement of Neighbourhoods (SCREEN) Fund.

This is the second grant the Broken Hill cinema has received within the last 12 months, having also been awarded $35,000 from the first round of the SCREEN Fund.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said this latest grant will help the Silver City Cinema to keep providing a popular, low-cost and COVID-safe way for the Broken Hill and Far West communities to go out and enjoy a movie.

“Silver City Cinema is one of the last remaining independent cinemas in the Parkes electorate, so it’s important that we support it so that it can continue to provide a social and cultural pastime for all ages to enjoy,” Mr Coulton said.

“This funding will enable the Silver City Cinema to recover from severe disruption that has largely impacted their revenue streams, and work towards restoring normal operations now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased.”

Silver City Cinema owner Ashton Wren said this funding is very welcome.

“All cinemas have taken a massive battering, and this funding is a blessing,” Mr Wren said.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said a total of 125 independent cinemas across the country would receive a share $7.3 million from the latest round of SCREEN Fund grants to support their resurgence from COVID-19 disruption.

“Independent cinemas are a vital component of Australia’s economic, social and cultural wellbeing, which is why we continue to provide one-off business continuity grants to support the cinemas resurgence from prolonged closures and capacity restrictions,” Minister Fletcher said.

“The Morrison Government has committed $17.7 million to date from the SCREEN Fund to support 200 independent cinemas across the country to keep their doors open, continue offering employment opportunities, and carry on showcasing diverse stories to entertain their communities.”

Administered by Screen Australia, the Government announced a second round of the SCREEN Fund in December 2021 to support independent cinema operators with grants of up to $85,000 if they have experienced significant declines in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SCREEN Fund applications are open until 30 April 2022 or until total funds are committed. For more information and to check eligibility, visit: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/funding-and-support/covid-19-support/screen-fund