Lights out for Mercury Cinema as Labor snubs budget bid

A theatre billed as Adelaide’s home of independent cinema had hoped it could be saved if critical help arrived in time.

A popular theatre that bills itself as Adelaide’s home of independent cinema says its days are numbered unless the state government reverses a crippling funding decision.

Mercury Cinema in Adelaide’s CBD says the rejection of a bid for between $700,000 and $1.2m means the cinema cannot survive long.

It comes after the business was “decimated” due to the pandemic.

Chief executive officer Karena Slaninka says the company itself, which also trains and develops the skills of emerging film makers, is in danger of shutting down as well as the 186-seat Morphett St cinema.

“We have a few months left,” she said.

Ms Slaninka said that Mercury CX submitted request for up to $1.2m funding last September to the former Liberal government, which commissioned an independent report and provided $300,000 as an interim measure.

The training company applies for $240,000 in funding annually from SA Film Corporation — $70,000 of which goes directly to emerging filmmakers.

Silverscreen attendees Chris Egerton, 66, and David Donaldson, 90, pictured at Mercury CX cinema. Picture: Russell Millard

The report was submitted to the new Labor government, which provided it to Ms Slaninka on Monday accompanied by a letter stating it would not be providing any funding.

“The letter was quite brief. They didn’t provide any reasons,” Ms Slaninka said.

However she said that a meeting has been organised with Arts Minister Andrea Michaels to discuss options for the future.

Ms Michaels said: “There are no SA government funding mechanisms currently available to support Mercury CX’s current operating model.”

But she said she was “fully supportive of ensuring development opportunities (are) provided to emerging filmmakers within the current budget allocation”.

Ms Slaninka said she was willing to work with Ms Michaels to secure funding for the business which “plays an important role” in the growing film industry.

This year is the 30th anniversary of Mercury Cinema which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992.

The cinema is popular with seniors who regularly attend the “silverscreen” — a program showcasing older and world renowned cinema.

The Mercury bills itself as “the home of independent cinema” in Adelaide.