The Irish Film Institute have today launched a major and vital fundraising initiative ahead of a wide-ranging refurbishment project set to begin in August 2019. As one of Ireland’s essential and most prominent venues to exhibit, preserve and educate via film, their call for support is one all fans in the fair city of film ought to be listening to very carefully.
The Home of Film in Ireland is seeking much-needed support from its supporters via text and online donations. Personal patrons and organisations alike can have their names commemorated in the IFI’s soon-to-be-renovated Cinema One via their Name Your Seat drive.
Donations can be given via www.ifi.ie/donate, by texting IFI to 50300 to give €4*, or via https://shop.ifi.ie/nameyourseat/. You can also support the work of the IFI and see plenty of great films in the process via free tickets, preview screenings and more by becoming an IFI Member or an IFI Friend.
The Irish Film Centre (which is still home to the IFI) was opened in Eustace Street on 23 September 1992 by the then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. In the two decades since its move to Eustace Street, the IFI has become one of the busiest and most dynamic arts organisations in the country, engaging with audiences nationally and internationally. In the last 27 years, the IFI has welcomed over four million visitors who have enjoyed the very best in Irish and international cinema, and attended events with major cinematic names including Juliette Binoche, Daniel Day-Lewis, Kenneth Branagh, Mike Leigh, Carol Morley and Jim Sheridan, and scores more artists from around the globe
Situated in an 18th century former Quaker Meeting House, the two main cinema spaces are in urgent need of renovation, along with the Institute’s foyer roof. The refurbishment plan will incorporate brand-new premium seats, extended leg room, new carpets and acoustic panelling, and is currently scheduled to begin this coming August.
Speaking about the need for renovation and renewal, IFI Director Ross Keane said;
‘As the Home of Film in Ireland, we pride ourselves in delivering programmes of excellence, but we now need our facilities to match these high standards. As a registered charity and not-for-profit, we are looking to the public and our loyal audience to assist us in undertaking these critical works, and to support the work that we do as Ireland’s national cultural institution for film across our broad remit of film exhibition, education and preservation. We hope that these improvements will help drive our box office income which, in turn, gets reinvested back into our various education programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds, and helps us to preserve Ireland’s National Film Collection.’
Much of the funds are already in place, but the IFI requires further support to complete the works. The age of the building also means that ongoing maintenance and structural costs are, and will be, substantial. Support from Dublin film fans and the wider Irish film community will be essential in preserving one of our most important institutions.
(* IFI will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278).