• Canada’s indie cinemas facing crisis due to streaming competition and restrictive big studio policies.

• Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors urgently seeking funding support to sustain cinema experience.

• Survey by NICE reveals 60% of indie cinema operators experienced losses, requiring increased public funding.

• Operators believe $50,000 annually for three years could help bridge financial gap.

• Sonya William warns of potential loss of cultural cornerstones without intervention.

• Small operators struggling with prolonged exclusive screening periods mandated by leading studios like Disney.

• Clean runs and zone provisions creating challenges for indie cinemas, impacting profitability and screening capacity.
  

In a battle against the rising tide of streaming platforms and restrictive big studio policies, Canada’s independent cinema sector finds itself in dire straits. A recent survey conducted by the Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors (NICE) paints a grim picture, revealing that 60% of independent cinema operators reported losses in their latest fiscal year, underscoring the urgent need for increased public funding.

A majority of the surveyed cinemas, feeling the crunch, believe an injection of approximately $50,000 annually for the next three years could bridge the looming financial gap.

“The situation is stark,” says Sonya William, NICE’s director and founder. “Without intervention, we risk losing these cultural cornerstones.”
Operators are seeking governmental assistance to combat the draconian measures imposed by leading studios, such as Disney, which mandate prolonged exclusive screening periods for new releases, significantly hampering small operators’ profitability.

Among the contentious practices are the so-called “clean runs,” which can monopolize a screen for up to a month, a particularly challenging scenario for small venues with limited screening capacity. Shaun Aquiline, owner of Grand Forks’ Gem Theatre in B.C., shares his frustration, recounting instances of financial loss and even having to cancel events to comply with studio demands.

The survey further highlights that over 80% of respondents have been adversely affected by clean run enforcement, with a significant majority claiming that abolishing this practice could dramatically benefit their businesses.

Another hurdle comes from the ‘zone provisions,’ which delay indie cinemas from showing films already screened in larger, nearby theaters. Wendy Huot of The Screening Room in Kingston, Ontario, voices her struggles with waiting for films to conclude their run at larger chains before gaining access.

These challenges arrive amid a broader crisis in arts funding, with organizations including Canada’s largest documentary film festival, Hot Docs, warning of potential closures without further support.

However, there’s a glimmer of hope as Canadian Heritage engages with NICE, considering its findings and reaffirming a commitment to uphold the indispensable role of indie cinemas in Canada’s cultural landscape.

“Independents cinemas are more than just theatres; they are vibrant community hubs essential for the cultural fabric of both large and small communities across Canada,” echoes the sentiments around the importance of sustaining this sector.

This situation reflects a pivotal moment for Canada’s cultural ecosystem, calling for collective action to preserve the rich tradition of independent cinema.