Christchurch's redeveloped Isaac Theatre Royal to host International Film Festival?

The Isaac Theatre Royal in central Christchurch could be the new home for the New Zealand International Film Festival from next year.

The speculation, reported by Fairfax media, follows a $120,000 grant from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust to help equip the venue with with cinema equipment.

The grant, towards state-of-the-art projection equipment, speakers and a retractable screen, means that the New Zealand International Film Festival has just $30,000 left to raise for the $280,000 project.

The festival has already secured $70,000 in funding from the Christchurch City Council, along with smaller grants from Southern Trust and the Trust Community Foundation. The festival hopes to raise the remaining $30,000 from pending grant applications and a $12,000 public fundraising drive. The festival has now relaunched its drive on donation website Boosted.

Theatre Chief Executive Neil Cox is hopeful that the rebuilt venue will provide a home for the film festival, telling Fairfax media "we had been talking about doing this for years, but you can't do it retrospectively without enormous cost.

"This was the last opportunity to do this. It is a win-win all round."

Damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes of February 2011, the Isaac Theatre Royal (ITR) is currently undergoing a $30 million rebuild.

Cox recently updated industry contacts and stakeholders on the rebuild and associated fundraising efforts.

He advised "in late June our great friend (Sir) Ian McKellen came back to Christchurch for a few hours to catch up on the rebuild progress of the Theatre that he had raised over $350,000 to help save the year before through his 15-show solo tour of New Zealand.

"Ian's amazing generosity gave so much inspiration to everyone involved in the ITR rebuild, realising we had support and belief to our plight around the world and could make this happen.

"To thank Ian for his overwhelming support, one of our royal boxes at the new ITR will be forever named 'The Ian McKellen Royal Suite'."

Cox also advised "another great friend of ours in the fundraising plight both personally and professionally, Richard O'Brien will be performing a suitably Rocky Horror themed fundraising concert in Christchurch on Friday 1st November this year."

All proceeds from Richard O'Brien's 'The Tran in Black All Hallows Frock 'n' Roll Show" in Christchurch will be donated directly to the Isaac Theatre Royal rebuild fund - see link below.

Cox concluded "thanks for being patient ... we've been through the mill a bit here, but are getting back on our feet and looking forward to seeing you back at the Isaac Theatre Royal soon."

When complete, the theatre will be able to seat 1250 people for festival films.

18th July 2013 - RICHARD O’BRIEN RETURNS TO CHRISTCHURCH TO BACK FUNDRAISING FOR ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL REBUILD

8th July 2012 - SIR IAN MCKELLEN RAISES $354,000 FOR CHRISTCHURCH THEATRE

9th April 2012 - SIR IAN MCKELLEN FUNDRAISES FOR EARTHQUAKE-HIT CHRISTCHURCH THEATRE

5th September 2010 - HERITAGE AND LEISURE BUILDINGS SUFFER IN CHRISTCHURCH QUAKE