Nice colours, it's a pity they keep the lights off.

Good news for independent film lovers, the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield is being officially re-opened on Tuesday January 17th at 9AM by Andrew Lowe, Director of Element Pictures, the new managers of the cinema.

The opening will be attended by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan, Chief Executive of The Irish Film Board James Hickey, and Head of Film and International Arts for The Arts Council Fionnuala Sweeney. Andrew Lowe will be available for comment, after the 9AM photocall.

It's still not certain if it's a permanent return, or it will just be facilitating screenings for the Jameson International Film Festival, but either way, I'm sure everyone will be happy that Smithfield will again become a centre for arts and culture, and not horse-selling and machete attacks. Click here to check out Film Festival details!

UPDATE

It's back for good! Here's the press release with more details!

January 17th 2012 sees the official re-launch of the Light House cinema in Smithfield, Dublin 7. The cinema, which closed in early 2011, will re-open for business on Friday 20th January . It will be run by Element Pictures and will screen the best of international art house and Irish cinema, as well as re-runs of classics and special events. Films that will screen over the opening weekend include the highly-praised SHAME, starring Irishman Michael Fassbender, Golden Globe winner, THE ARTIST, Madonna’s new film, W.E and the Clint Eastwood-directed, J. EDGAR with leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio.

Welcoming the reopening of the Light House, Minister for The Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan said “The Programme for the Government committed us to seek to capture some public good from NAMA buildings for arts and culture facilities. The reopening of the Light House is a tangible expression of that commitment. I believe that this outcome is hugely positive for the arthouse cinema sector, for the Smithfield area and for employment and economic regeneration locally".

Directors of Element Pictures Andrew Lowe and Ed Guiney are “delighted that the Light House Cinema will be screening films again. We are opening the cinema at the earliest possible opportunity and have lots of ideas, which we will implement over the coming months . We really appreciate the warm support and goodwill we have received following the news and look forward to ensuring that a visit to the Light House is a unique and wonderful experience. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Minister Jimmy Deenihan, the Arts Council and Bord Scannán na hÉireann / Irish Film Board for their support in getting the Light House up and running again”.

Commenting on the news, James Hickey, Chief Executive, Bord Scannán na hÉireann / Irish Film Board said “The reopening of the Light House brings an important renewal of the Irish exhibition landscape. It will once again provide Dublin audiences with reinvigorated access to the wide range of independently produced films than are currently available. It is our ambition that the Light House will contribute to the growing appetite for independent cinema amongst Irish audiences, in a cinematic environment with the availability of the latest digital equipment.“

Orlaith McBride, Director of the Arts Council, said, "The Arts Council wishes Element Pictures every success in the operation of the Light House cinema. Element Pictures will build on the programming foundations laid by the Light House since its opening and will continue to bring a diverse range of cinema to audiences in Dublin to this fine cinema setting".