Plans to establish a community cinema in Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula have been abandoned, casting uncertainty over more than $120,000 raised from local supporters for the project. Julie Collins and Derek John, the proponents behind the initiative, announced the decision after encountering insurmountable obstacles securing a permanent venue.

The cinema was initially proposed to be located within a rented gallery space at 21 Morce Avenue, but the plan was rejected both by the local council and the property’s landlord. Following these setbacks, Collins and John explored alternative fundraising efforts aimed at acquiring a site outright; however, none of the options met their requirements.

In a public statement, Collins acknowledged the need to accept the project’s dissolution, expressing hope that someone else might eventually fulfill the vision of a local cinema. The couple emphasized that a key obstacle had been their inability to secure property ownership, which was deemed essential to avoid future displacement by landlords.

More than $128,000 was raised predominantly through a federal government-supported scheme and community donations, with individual contributions reportedly reaching up to $1,500 via an Australian Cultural Fund online campaign. The exact status of these funds remains unclear. Initially, Collins committed to reimbursing donors and returning approximately $80,000 worth of audio equipment purchased for the cinema, which remains unused in storage. However, the explicit repayment pledge was later removed from the cinema’s website, adding to uncertainty around how the funds will be reconciled.

This is not the first community-driven arts project associated with Collins to face difficulties. In 2018, the inaugural Biennale of Australian Art (BOAA) in Ballarat—intended as a counterpart to Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)—ended in financial distress. Despite receiving significant government funding, including $190,000 from the local council and $200,000 from the state, the event went into administration shortly after its completion.

Subsequent liquidation proceedings revealed outstanding debts exceeding $380,000 owed to artists, performers, vendors, and other creditors. Reports as recent as 2020 indicated that approximately $354,000 remained unpaid, including nearly $147,000 owed to artists and performers. Some local stakeholders have continued to express concern about unresolved payments linked to the BOAA.

Collins and John shared that their diligent searches for a suitable cinema location had fallen short, primarily because long-term property ownership was critical to the project’s sustainability. Without a secured venue, they concluded that continuing was unrealistic and decided to discontinue efforts, leaving the future of community cinema in Sorrento uncertain.