Cyclists saddle up for night at city's first ride-in cinema

IT MIGHT not provide the most relaxing night at the movies, but Edinburgh's first "pedal-in" cinema is preparing to hit the road.

The Guerrilla Cinema, complete with pedal-powered ice-cream freezer, arrives on the back of three bikes and uses human power to keep the film running.

Even the audience will be invited to cycle to the outdoor screening when the green filmhouse receives its premiere later this month.

It will be used to showcase short, locally made films at events around the Capital.

The project was dreamed up by the community project Alchemy Arts and Edinburgh Woodcraft Folk.

The Woodcraft Folk's "Powerpod", a trailer which uses solar panels and a wind turbine to generate energy, was the inspiration.

Kate McKay, of Alchemy Arts, said: "Often we end up with our stall next to the Powerpod at events, and what used to happen was that they'd generate all this energy and say 'Do you want any power, because we've got extra?'

"We'd be doing things like making kites out of scrap and we never needed any, so I thought, what could we do with it?"

A group of under-12s from the Woodcraft Folk have been working at The Bike Station to help design and build the bikes, which have trailers on the back to carry the equipment. One will be charged up in advance from the Powerpod while the others will be pedalled during the performance to keep the show going and provide sound and ice-cream.

Powerpod youth worker Lauren Fox said: "The battery's got enough power for just under a feature film. If it's a shorter film it's fine, but if it's a longer one you have to pedal the bikes to finish it."

The premiere will be at the Phonica live music event, held at the Artspace gallery in Harewood Road, Craigmillar, on 19 March. The audience are invited to meet at Holyrood Park Gates behind the Commonwealth Pool at 6:15pm to ride down the Innocent Railway cycle path to the screening.

Ms McKay said: "It will be a 'pedal-in' instead of a drive-in."

As well as showing films made by local people, bands from the city will perform, and there will be light and fire sculptures outside.

A screening for children is also planned for Easter Saturday at North Edinburgh Arts, and in May there will be a "Junk Oscars" at Seafield Community Recycling Centre to reward those who have taken part.

Phonica and Film begins at 7pm. Entrance for over-16s is 5. Ring 0131- 659 4709 and quote Edinburgh Evening News to receive a 3 ticket.