With the new age of chain theaters and impersonal streaming services, the mission of Seattle’s collection of local independent cinemas is “valuing cinema as an art form and finding the ways that it can be meaningful in our lives,” The Beacon’s co-founder, Tommy Swenson explained. Focused on screening films that are eclectic and fresh, the Columbia City Beacon is passionate about expanding the horizons for movie viewers.
When choosing films, The Beacon looks at what is going on in the world and then asks the question, “How does cinema respond to that?” Swenson said. “The real satisfaction comes from when people come in, and especially when they take a chance on seeing a movie that they might not have heard of before or wouldn’t have sought out if we hadn’t programmed it, and they come in with an open mind and end up responding strongly to it in some way,” continued Swenson. “It leads to having these experiences that are memorable and meaningful in a way that just sort of consumed content doesn’t,” Swenson said.
For Northwest Film Forum, highlighting local and upcoming filmmakers remains a priority. “We definitely try to bring local film and a lot of independent film[s], just try to showcase artists that may not be getting as much mainstream attention,” said The Forum’s executive director, Derek Edamura. Located in Capitol Hill, the nonprofit hosts multiple apprenticeship programs and educational opportunities for emerging filmmakers. The nonprofit also highlights “films that, we feel, have cultural importance or are showcasing communities from around the world,” Edamura said. While only a select few movies get screened in large theater companies, “there are just so many stories out there that we feel are important, that bring value to our audience and to the community and we just really want to give those stories a space to be able to be seen and be showcased,” Edamura explained. Independent cinemas are “such a vital space to be able to get exposed to stories that you just wouldn’t normally come across,” Edamura said.
For these cinemas, staying financially secure and growing sustainably remains the biggest obstacle. “It’s definitely not a business to get into just to make money,” Swenson joked. However, “it’s really gratifying to get to share movies with people,” he continued. “We want to make sure that we [grow] in a way that is sustainable for the people that are here working,” said Edamura speaking on The Forum’s overall direction. “We really rely on our community and our network to really promote things,” he continued. “But I think at the end of the day, the thing that will inevitably bring people back and what gives people a sense of investment in this place is the personal relationships that they foster,” Edamura said.
Despite day-to-day challenges, these cinemas continue to expand their unique assets and provide community connection in a space to cultivate and display the art that is film. For more information on upcoming showings visit thebeacon.film and nwfilmforum.org.
