Editor

The Irish Film Institute is delighted to announce a major redevelopment of its landmark Old Quaker Meeting House premises on Eustace Street in Temple Bar. Plans have been unveiled to create a third cinema in addition to the existing two cinema screens, a major overhaul of the existing public areas, and significant development of the IFI's Irish Film Archive allowing better access to the archive's collection for the IFI's audience, film researchers and students. 

Speaking of the redevelopment Sarah Glennie, Director of the IFI, said: ‘This cinema expansion and redevelopment marks an exciting point in the IFI's history. Since opening in 1992 the IFI has brought the best of film culture to audiences in Ireland and this development will allow to us to broaden the scope and depth of our programme as well as introducing new audiences to the IFI's Irish Film Archive which is one of Ireland's most important cultural resources.'

This sixty-seat Cinema 3 will have a luxurious boutique atmosphere. Like the two existing IFI cinemas, the new cinema will be fully equipped with the latest digital projection technology and will also be equipped to screen films in 16mm and a range of other formats, allowing better access to material from the Irish Film Archive and emerging Irish filmmakers. The extra capacity will allow the IFI to significantly broaden its cinema programme, allowing for longer and more flexible runs of successful films, and add to the IFI's unique programme of special events, seasons, festivals and courses.

The public areas of the IFI will be renovated and modernised with brand new washroom facilities, film shop, and improved box office and information provision. The interiors of the hugely popular IFI Bar and Restaurant will be modernised whilst retaining its key appeal of quality and value in a relaxed setting.

The construction and renovation works will help strengthen Film and Cinema's important role in the Irish economy. In 2006 there were 17.85m cinema admissions nationwide and a gross box office of €114.81m.  Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) and PWC carried out a survey in 2008 which reveals that the Irish audio visual sector is valued at over €557.3 million, employs over 6,000 individuals and represents 0.3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The IFI redevelopment will directly provide work for 45 in the construction sector.

The IFI's redevelopment will take place primarily during the daytime, meaning that audiences will be able to continue catching up with film culture at evenings and weekends throughout the redevelopment period. So be sure to keep checking for redevelopment updates and the latest film listings on http://www.ifi.ie/.