YOUR TOWN NEXT WEEK

On April 24th, Ireland's first travelling cinema takes to the road. The 100-seater Cinemobile will visit towns and villages throughout the 32 counties and bring a unique experience to communities who otherwise have no access to the world of cinema.


The Cinemobile will be on the road for 48 weeks each year, with three daily screenings in each location including a range of Irish and international releases as well as educational films for schools.


The Cinemobile travels as a large, articulated vehicle which, on arrival at each venue,hydraulically unfolds to three times its width revealing a state-of-the-art, 100- seater, wheelchair-accessible cinema with full projection facilities. It will show features, short films, documentaries and animation as well as educational films to support the school curriculum. Seminars and workshops will also be held in association with the Film Institute of Ireland's Outreach Programme.


Backed by the National Millennium Committee, the project partners include Bord Scannán na hEireann,, ESAT Fusion, ESB, the Film Institute of Ireland, RTE, The Arts Council (An Comhairle Ealaíon) and The National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. An award of £531,000 (E674,230) from the National Millennium Committee has allowed for the manufacture, outfitting and launch costs of the project.

Minister Séamus Brennan, Chairman of the Millennium Committee said: "This is an exciting project which will, I am sure, impact positively on a great many people of all ages, the length and breadth of the country. The Millennium Committee's support is a direct response to the strong case made to it by the film industry in Ireland and the Irish Film Board for a facility that will bring the return of a quality cinema experience to small towns and villages. The Cinemobile's schools programme will be enormously beneficial to students. It is certain to become an exciting feature of the rural Irish landscape as it generates interest and excitement wherever it goes."

The Film Institute of Ireland owns the Cinemobile and operates it through a subsidiary company, Fís na Mílaoise, which has its headquarters in Galway.

Further info:

• Fís na Mílaoise office 091- 539522

• Joe Saunders 087-2502550

• Celine Curtin 087 2808261

• Lelia Doolan 091 796010

• Tom Rowley, National Millennium Committee 01 6194241 087 8124723

NOTE: The Cinemobile travels in full compliance of current foot-and-mouth regulations. Minister Brennan will officially launch the Cinemobile when all remaining foot-and- mouth restrictions have been lifted.


For imminent screenings in your area, please see venue list