It will ensure the unbeatable joy of going to see a movie at your local theatre remains a popular experience on the Coast, as it has for generations of residents and visitors.
The Coast has a proud tradition of cinema going, but has suffered a dramatic loss of many cinemas in the past half century.
Theatres at Terrigal, Long Jetty, Gosford, the Peninsula and Kincumber have all succumbed to change to newer facilities at major shopping centres.
The Avoca Cinema is one of a handful of independent cinemas operating in NSW.
The program is aptly named SCREEN, which stand for The Supporting Cinemas’ Retention Endurance and Enhancement of Neighbourhoods Fund.
It is administered by Screen Australia and will assist independent cinema operators who have experienced significant declines in revenue due to the pandemic, with one-off business continuity grants of up to $85,000.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cites and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the SCREEN Fund was expected to support up to 390 cinemas across the country manage the significant economic, health and social challenges they are facing as a result of COVID-19.
“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on cinemas, who have struggled to recover due to circumstances that were out of their control, such as capacity restrictions and a reduced flow of new release films by major distributors,” Mr Fletcher said.
“Independent cinemas represent around 30% of the cinema exhibition sector in Australia and play a key role by providing a popular, low-cost and COVID-safe way for people to go out and enjoy a movie as part of a community - particularly in regional areas.”
“We’re introducing this funding to help support the viability of independent cinemas during this period when their business circumstances are still returning to normality, as the vaccine rollout progresses and Australia moves towards higher audience capacities.”
Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks said the funding would provide critical support for Avoca Beach Picture Theatre and assist the local community and economy to recover from the pandemic.
The SCREEN Fund builds on the Government’s investment of $800M in additional arts and entertainment funding announced in 2020, on top of its annual investment of around $750M in regular funding.
