BLOCKBUSTER movies and art house films are returning to the silver screen at The Point thanks to the support of the Eastleigh Local Area Committee (ELAC).

Changes from traditional 35mm films to digital format meant it was becoming increasingly difficult to source films to screen and it looked as though movies at the Eastleigh theatre would become a thing of the past.

Now thanks to an £8,000 grant from ELAC the venue is gearing up for a new season of film featuring some of the best movies around.

Cllr Paul Bicknell, chairman of ELAC, said: “We are pleased to be able to extend the facility for local members of our community to continue to enjoy film showings at the Point.

“With the withdrawal of 35mm film it was essential that the digital projector was purchased to allow continuation of this much enjoyed facility.”

Owen Calvert-Lyons, artistic director at The Point, added: “Films have been an integral part of our season offer for many years but the move from traditional 35mm film to digital meant that it was becoming increasingly difficult to find films to screen.

“The money from ELAC has enabled us to buy a state-of-the-art digital projector, which will allow us to show a range of recent hit movies as well as art house and foreign films, which is something our audience has been asking for.”

A new satellite system, which will enable The Point to live stream productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre, has also been installed at the venue.