29 March 2024 The Irish Film & Television Network
     
‘Save the Kino’ Campaign Gathers Momentum
10 Nov 2009 :
Following news of the imminent closure of Cork’s Kino Cinema, Cork Midsummer Festival Director William Galinsky set up a Facebook group called ‘Save the Kino’. This group now has more than 8,000 followers and lead directly to a public meeting in Cork’s Opera House and, ultimately, a mass public campaign to keep the art house cinema open.

The public meeting, held on Saturday, October 31st, was to be held in the Kino cinema itself but an attending crowd of over 300 people meant the venue had to be changed to the Cork Opera House. The meeting was attended by Kino cinema owner Mick Hannigan, Minister Micheál Martin, TD Ciarán Lynch and Senator Dan Boyle and saw the appointment of a interim steering committee whose members include Galinsky, solicitor Catherine Kirwan and manager of the Everyman Palace Theatre, Eimear O’Herlihy. The task of the committee it is now to come up with ideas as to keeping the Kino cinema open. William, Catherine and Eimear were also named as trustees of a banking account set up as a response to people’s desire to donate money in a bid to save the arthouse cinema.

Kino owner Mick Hannigan describes how the outpouring of support at the meeting affected him. “It was hugely heartening,” he says. “It was great not only to see such a large attendance but to hear people’s practical ideas as to how they would like to see the Kino saved.” He also welcomes the introduction of the committee: “It’s a relief to have a team working, it was difficult when the responsibility of the Kino was resting solely on my shoulders. That said there is a great deal of work yet to be done and William does realise the financial difficulties and the constant reliance the Kino has on audience members.”

The three trustees have until Sunday, November 29th to propose their ‘Save the Kino’ plan and are currently working on said scheme. This deadline is in place as it is the date when the cinema is to officially go up for sale. Leader of the trustees, William Galinsky, explains his passion for the Kino cinema to IFTN: “I started the Facebook group because I moved to Cork three years ago and instantly fell in love with two things and they were the Kino Cinema and The English Market. The Kino is the only cinema I know of where you can watch art house films and bring your cup of tea in with you from the café – it just stops short of your toast and slippers there. And I need to have an art house cinema where I live. So then the Facebook group lead to the meeting which was attended by Micheál Martin and Martin Lynch amongst many others and ever since myself and the other committee member shave been working hard to come up with a plan to finance and, ultimately, keep the Kino cinema open.”

And William goes on to describe what the committee would ideally see happening; “We’d love for Cork city to step in and buy the Kino and we think it could profit a lot from the introduction of some digital technology, definitely a new projector anyway. What we’re thinking of at the moment is widening the board committee and having the board take over management of the Kino, the Kino manager would be answerable to this board.” The donation amount received so far is not yet known but €1,700 was collected at the public meeting alone. William explains the board’s main goal: “Basically we’re figuring out what sort of cushion the Kino cinema needs and how to come up with that funding. There is a great team in the cinema and a huge team of people willing to carry out PR for any fundraising necessary and we’ve been getting calls from local businesses offering their services to help fundraise. We’ve a few ideas as to coming up with the funds – even something like introducing a yearly membership would help the cinema immensely. There is feeling that people want to help keep the Kino going.”

Mick Hannigan echoes William’s sentiments: “I knew people would be disappointed when they found out about the closure of the Kino but I had really no idea at all of the depth of feeling and intense wish to help that I have got from people. I had resigned myself to the Kino’s closing but this campaign has given me occasion to think again and work with William’s team to keep the cinema alive.” He finishes by reflecting on the Kino’s importance; “I had no idea the campaign would take off like it has – I thought it would serve as a way for people to express their disappointment but it has shown me how willing people are to become proactive to save the theatre. It’s made me realise that venues like the Kino matter to people and serve a huge purpose in the community, And that of course was the fundamental reason behind it’s opening in the first place.”

For more information about the Save the Kino movement visit www.savethekino.com



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