Reel Communities: The Contemporary Practice of Independent Movie Theatres in Toronto

Abstract

Toronto has long been famous as the film metropolis of Canada, not only because of its production of films but because of its generation of an exemplary form of moviegoing. The formation of its unique filmgoing culture is attributed to the city’s once-flourishing market for film exhibition, which consisted of first-run movie theatres, independent movie theatres, and film festivals. Although first-run, corporate-owned theatres such as Cineplex (which claims a disproportionately large amount of market share) dominate the mainstream market, independent movie theatres have historically and culturally functioned in a unique way and contributed to the city’s vibrant filmgoing culture. Ever since the collapse of Festival Cinema - once the biggest repertory cinema chain in Canada- in 2006, and due to the ascendency of multiplexes and streaming services, independent (indie) cinemas in Toronto have found themselves in crisis, simultaneously facing a major decline in attendance and a dearth of available film content. At the present time, only five indie cinemas remain in business: Fox Theatre, Kingsway Theatre, Revue Cinema, Paradise Theatre and The Royal. This thesis project, which consists of a thesis paper and a documentary film, aims to use the Revue Cinema as a case study. The Revue is the oldest cinema in Toronto and is currently operating as a community-based, not-for-profit organization. This thesis project, Reel Communities: The Contemporary Practice of Independent Movie Theatres in Toronto investigates two major themes: 1) the cultural and social significance of independent cinemas in today’s Toronto; 2) how theatre owners programmers of independent cinemas are adapting their businesses to cope with major shifts in the film industry.