A crowdfunding campaign was launched to raise £2 million to save the Edinburgh Filmhouse and its long-running international film festival.

The 88 Lothian Road building, the former home of Edinburgh Filmhouse, was put up for sale after the charity running the cinema went into administration in October.

A group of former senior staff launched the crowdfunding campaign on 16 November, aiming to raise £2 million by the end of this week and buy the building from the administrators.

“The loss of the building is catastrophic, not only for Filmhouse but also the provision of cultural cinema in Scotland’s capital city,” states the group’s crowdfunding page.

“Edinburgh will become the only UK city of its size and international cultural ambition to lack a cinema devoted to the full breadth and depth of cultural film”.

The group hopes to attract support from the screen industries and Scotland’s cultural scene.

Actor Jack Lowden supported the campaign and told the Scotsman that “the idea of our capital losing such an important cultural centre is deeply saddening.”

“With the Scottish film industry growing faster and faster, it’s more important than ever to have a truly independent platform in our city. And just as importantly, a welcoming place to have a great night out,” says Lowden.

Paul Sng, an independent filmmaker based in Edinburgh, started an online petition to save the Edinburgh Filmhouse and the Edinburgh International Festival. The petition now has over 24 000 signatures.

“It was mainly to show that there is a level of love and support, that there is the belief in the festival and in Filmhouse as an organization to be something that is in Edinburgh for the community, for the people that love cinema”, says Sng.

“As a filmmaker, being supported by these two organizations, the cultural linchpins, has been massively important to me.

“On that professional level, to lose either of them would impact the industry and also impact me personally. Being a filmmaker that is making documentaries on sometimes tricky subjects, you don’t have that many options,” explains Sng.

The Edinburgh Filmhouse was not only an important cultural institution, but for many people it was primarily a safe space.

Vivian Chang, an Edinburgh University student said: “The Filmhouse was a very important place to me and to my friends, it was a beautiful place where we can get tickets just for 2 pounds every Tuesday and enjoy art.”

So far, the crowdfunding campaign raised £138,644, which is 6% off the amount needed to save the building.

To get to the final number would mean every person who has signed Paul Sng’s petition needs to add at least £83.

Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Filmhouse are not the only cultural institutions forced to (completely) limit their activities, due to lack of finances.

Last week it was reported The Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) is resizing its team and pausing its streaming activity.

Amanda Berry, Head of Marketing and PR of the EIBF, said: “it’s a difficult time and we are busy with a consultation and planning process to address the economic challenges that lie ahead.”

Due to time difficulties, the EIBF’s team refused to give any further comment.