A PROJECT to develop a community cinema in Bradford has been given a boost with £10,000 of lottery funding.

The Bradford City of Film team has been working with staff at the Mechanics Institute in Eccleshill, the site of the old Eccleshill Picture House, offering advise on film licenses and the loan of film equipment.

Eccleshill Community Association, which runs the institute, has now been successful in an application to the Big Lottery fund to buy a projector, screen and sound system, allow it to screen films and host film events on a regular basis.

The picture house opened in 1911, the year that Bradford cinema pioneer Cecil Wray opened Wray's Film Agency, hiring out films to picture halls in the region. The agency was located opposite Eccleshill Picture House on Institute Road in the village.

Regarded as a film pioneer, Wray was a prominent figure in the early days of the film industry in Bradford. He produced his own Kine-Optiscope; a device enabling short film strips to be shown using an ordinary magic lantern.

Early films at Eccleshill had piano accompaniment and the screen was a white sheet which flapped about in a draught.

Bradford City of Film director David Wilson said: "We are delighted to be working with the Eccleshill Mechanics Institute on this initiative which gives the local community chance to enjoy films and socialise in their locality.

"The fact that the venue is also linked to Bradford’s rich film heritage is a superb bonus.

"Local volunteers will help to decide the film schedule and we're also looking forward to hosting a number of Memory Bank Bradford workshops at the venue.’’

Michael Kenefick, manager of Eccleshill Community Association, added: "We are delighted with the award from the Big Lottery and the ongoing partnership with Bradford UNESCO City of Film.

"The Mechanics Institute is a thriving community space and there was a lot of excitement and great feedback from the pilot screening of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel back in October.

"Using the new equipment we plan to develop regular screenings and work with a number of volunteers on securing some varied and interesting titles and, where possible, some guest speakers.’

* The spring programme of films will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information visit bradford-city-of-film.com