Cork arthouse cinema to close

Cork's Kino Cinema, the only independent arthouse cinema in the country outside of the capital, is to close next month with the building to be put up for sale.

Owner Mick Hannigan, also director of the Cork Film Festival, confirmed the news today saying it was a result of a High Court action by creditors seeking repayment of a debt of more than €50,000.

November 29 is the date set for the showing of the Kino’s final film, exactly 13 years after the 188-seater arthouse theatre opened.

“At the end of November, the cinema will be put up for sale. Unfortunately, it was never a money making venture. Week-to-week we were losing money and were reliant on a couple of big hits each year but we have kept going for 13 years,” said Mr Hannigan.

“We’re a victim of our own success in a way. Some of the larger multiplexes realised there was an audience for quality independent films and they have the clout to secure them,” he said.

It was an attempt to expand the theatre before the 2005 European Capital of Culture that led to the current difficulties.

In 2003 the Kino received a €750,000 grant from the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board to redevelop the premises into a three-screen cinema with a café.

However, Mr Hannigan said they were unable to make up the remaining sum needed to redevelop the premises. An architectural firm who provided professional services as part of the grant application have now gone to the High Court to seek payment of money owed.

Mr Hannigan said the Kino was hosting a number of films as part of the festival which begins on November 1.

He said that while he had received a letter from the city sheriff threatening the seizure of goods, he felt that with news of the Kino’s sale at the end of next month the film festival would not be affected.

“I obviously feel sorry for the staff but the other people I feel sorry for are the regular cinema goers who came here to get their weekly fix.

“Now it is up to the city council or the Arts Council to take up the mantle and to provide a premises for independent films because the private sector won’t,” he said.

“I am quite proud of what I have achieved. We’ve done our bit and it’s unfortunate it has come to this,” he added.

This story courtesy of the Evening Echo