But in a country where the "exhibitor" is in French an "exploitant" (literally, an exploiter), there is lesser room for out of the box experiences such as microcinemas because of very strict rules enforced by CNC on film exhibition.
This model is outdated, bur the French film exhibitor union has such a strong grip on the culture of film industry that we still have a long way to go. We should model the market alongside the music industry and imagine a tour manager for movies who would book the film in "venues" just like a concert, build its legs, and then rethink a wider release. John Fithian has been working on this with his own company, ATTEND.
Bookmarking this list. I've been involved since 2021 with the Bulleke-Bek Brunswick Cinema (BBBC) a pop-up microcinema in Melbourne, Australia, operating 6-10 weeks of the year (currently May-July) under the auspices of the art collective/venue GalleryGalleryInc. The program is as eclectic as we can make it, a mix of pre-1955 films and mainly recent independent/experimental work:
Cheers. For the moment, it's probably best for anyone with a proposal to contact us through the Facebook page. Or they can email the gallery at gallerygalleryinc at gmail dot com.
You forgot to mention Best Video Film & Cultural Center in Hamden CT (just outside of New Haven), which holds many screenings per month, including on-going series. And especially with New Haven having NOT ONE cinema (the blame goes 100% to Yale, but that's another issue), Best Video is the ONLY refuge in the area.
Many Malls around the country are suffering and they are trying to find ways to stay open. Some are opening spaces for community meetings. I have seen church meetings, real estate meetings, social club meetings, etc. What about a meeting room for SubStack and a screening room for our films.
I had an incredible experience with these guys in the Chicago suburbs. They were 100% open to hearing from a Non-De filmmaker willing to do some marketing to bring audience. We did one night with a post-screening filmmaker Q%A, a 50/50 split, and nearly sold out. https://wayfarertheaters.com/home/
This means more to me than I can write in words, Ted. Hope to meet you soon IRL. LOTS more microcinema articles and pitches to come. Your flagship is invaluable.
Ah. Under that definition NY also has Microscope Gallery and Light Industry.
https://www.lightindustry.org/about/
https://microscopegallery.com/
Also they don't have a presentation space, usually using Anthology Films Archive, but there is also Mono No Aware:
https://mononoawarefilm.com/
The theatrical landscape of French cinema has never been gloomier. https://variety.com/2025/film/global/french-exhibitors-declining-box-office-national-film-board-1236543157/
But in a country where the "exhibitor" is in French an "exploitant" (literally, an exploiter), there is lesser room for out of the box experiences such as microcinemas because of very strict rules enforced by CNC on film exhibition.
This model is outdated, bur the French film exhibitor union has such a strong grip on the culture of film industry that we still have a long way to go. We should model the market alongside the music industry and imagine a tour manager for movies who would book the film in "venues" just like a concert, build its legs, and then rethink a wider release. John Fithian has been working on this with his own company, ATTEND.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/john-fithian-974a89301_disruption-in-the-movie-industry-and-growth-activity-7365236429611778048-Uc_t?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAc6APIBfedJxyuSwh4NXpYD9kk87aP241k
Let's work on a panel in Berlin 2026. Ted ?
Great to see the U.K. specifically London included in this list
We need more venues, if anyone has suggestions....
Love the microcinema list!
Also have to add the amazing programming at Pittsburgh Sound and Image!
Pittsburgh Sound + Image https://share.google/hFxRIRc08yy202gWa
419.cinebar in Ho Chi Minh City! Great programming. Looks like art house, but it's certainly outside the mainstream in VN. https://www.instagram.com/419.cinebar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Another is Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT. Just had a great sold out screening (150 seats) with my Pizza A Love Story documentary last week.
Great venue!
Bookmarking this list. I've been involved since 2021 with the Bulleke-Bek Brunswick Cinema (BBBC) a pop-up microcinema in Melbourne, Australia, operating 6-10 weeks of the year (currently May-July) under the auspices of the art collective/venue GalleryGalleryInc. The program is as eclectic as we can make it, a mix of pre-1955 films and mainly recent independent/experimental work:
https://www.facebook.com/BBBCinema/
Static Vision HQ, a couple of kilometres to the west, would also qualify:
https://www.instagram.com/staticvisionau/?hl=en
Thanks Jake! How does someone submit for screenings?
Cheers. For the moment, it's probably best for anyone with a proposal to contact us through the Facebook page. Or they can email the gallery at gallerygalleryinc at gmail dot com.
You forgot to mention Best Video Film & Cultural Center in Hamden CT (just outside of New Haven), which holds many screenings per month, including on-going series. And especially with New Haven having NOT ONE cinema (the blame goes 100% to Yale, but that's another issue), Best Video is the ONLY refuge in the area.
Will have to update!
Many Malls around the country are suffering and they are trying to find ways to stay open. Some are opening spaces for community meetings. I have seen church meetings, real estate meetings, social club meetings, etc. What about a meeting room for SubStack and a screening room for our films.
I had an incredible experience with these guys in the Chicago suburbs. They were 100% open to hearing from a Non-De filmmaker willing to do some marketing to bring audience. We did one night with a post-screening filmmaker Q%A, a 50/50 split, and nearly sold out. https://wayfarertheaters.com/home/
This means more to me than I can write in words, Ted. Hope to meet you soon IRL. LOTS more microcinema articles and pitches to come. Your flagship is invaluable.
Houston, TX has https://www.aurorapictureshow.org/aurora