How indie movie theaters have mounted a post-pandemic comeback in Philly

3/13/2025

Philly Voice, March 13th, 2025

By Kristin Hunt, PhillyVoice Staff

See the full article here on PhillyVoice.

The Colonial Theatre has also not seen “the same level of attendance for new release film,” according to Jennifer Carlson, its executive director. The nonprofit reported about 70,000 visitors per year in pre-pandemic times, and is now averaging about 52,000, a dip she attributes partially to the depressed interest for new movies. So the Colonial has also embraced the classics, focusing more attention on what Trate calls “comfort food” movies like “Casablanca” and “Rocky.” He’s also seen interest in 35 or 16 millimeter prints and LaserDiscs, formats which offer “bragging rights” to film buffs. Experiential offerings like “Edible Cinema,” which pairs a movie with thematic snacks (i.e. a box of bon bons for “Chocolat”), have been another attraction.

Member Benefits/Business Program

To participate in the Colonial Theatre's new business benefits partnership program for members, please complete and submit this form. We will email to confirm receipt and with any questions.

Business Name:*
Business Address (Physical Location)*
Mail Address (If Different from Above)*
Name of General Manager or Business Owner:*
Contact Person for Benefit Program (if different from above):*
Email
Phone
Website
Describe the discount or offer your business will provide to Colonial Theatre members who present a valid Colonial Theatre membership card at the time of purchase. Please list all terms and conditions.*
- Send me information about membership benefits, pricing and registration.
- Please contact my business about sponsoring a film.
- I'd like to learn more about screen advertising.
- Please contact me about facilities/event rentals.
Please upload a high resolution version of your business's logo. This will be used to make Colonial Theatre members aware of your participation.
Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, , Max. file size: 128 MB.
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Screen Sponsorship Agreement

Tell Us About Yourself and Your Organization or Business
Business Name*
Name
Contact Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Phone*
Email*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Today's Date*
Month
Day
Year
Slide Run
Slide Commitment*
- 1 Month: $110.00
- 3 Months: $315.00
- 6 Months: $600.00
- 1 Year: $1,140.00
- Nonprofit (per month): $90.00
If Nonprofit, enter 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt #
Start Date*
Month
Day
Year
End Date*
Month
Day
Year
Payment Type*
- Check
- Credit Card. When paying with credit card, complete and submit this form, return to the Advertise on Screen page, and select "Click Here to Pay for Screen Advertising" at the bottom of the page.
Upload your slide(s) here
Max. file size: 128 MB.

Film Sponsorship

Business Name
Contact Name*
First Last
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Phone
Email*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Type of Sponsorship
Additional comments or queries

Event Rental Application

Tell Us About Yourself and Your Organization or Business
Contact Person*
First Last
Organization or Business Name*
If you're an individual not representing a business or organization, just enter Individual.
Type of Organization*
For example: social service organization, filmmaker, music promoter, local business, school, etc.
Organization or Business Website
If your organization is a non-profit, please upload a copy of your IRS determination letter.
Drop files here or

Max. file size: 128 MB.
Phone*
Email*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Tell Us About Your Event
Please check all that apply to describe your event.*
- Film screening
- Concert
- Recital or theatrical performance
- Lecture or presentation
- Public reception or party
- Commercial or business event
- Non-profit or benefit event
- Photo or video shoot
- Private party - adults
- Private party - children
- Wedding Ceremony
- Other
Briefly describe your event*
If your event is a film screening for a group and you would like us to supply the film, please provide us with at least three film titles, in order of preference.
Will this event be open to the public or private?*
- Open to the public
- Private
Estimated number of attendees:*
Will tickets to this event be free or will there be a cost for tickets?*
We prefer to ticket all events, even if they are free, to help keep track of attendance and available seating.
- Tickets will be free
- There will be a cost for tickets
What are the estimated ticket prices?
Please provide at least 3 date and time options for your event.*
Date Time
Estimated duration of event:*
Will you need additional time for rehearsals, set-up or breakdown?*
- Yes
- No
Estimated additional time needed:
Equipment, Labor & Other Services
Please check all the equipment below that you anticipate needing for your event.*
- 35mm projector
- Digital projector
- PA system (for a speaker presentation)
- Full sound system (for a concert or performance)
- Drum riser
- None of the above
- Don't know
Please check all the labor below that you anticipate needing for your event.*
- Technical Director
- Projectionist
- Sound & Lighting Technician
- Ushers
- Security
- Merchandise seller
- Piano tuning
- Retraction of seats in Theatre 2
- None of the above
- Don't know
Please check all the additional services below that you anticipate needing for your event.*
- Marketing (inclusion on the Colonial's website, etc.)
- Merchandise sales
- Film booking services
- None of the above
- Don't know
Concessions, Alcohol & Catering
Would you like our concession stand to be open or closed for your event?*
- Open
- Closed
- Don't know
Would you like beer and wine to be available to your guests?*
- Yes
- No
- Don't know
How would you like beer and wine sales to be handled?
- Priced per person
- Cash bar
- Combination of above
- Don't know
Will your event be catered?*
We require that you use one of our approved caterers: Valley Forge Catering, Robert Ryan Catering, or Bause Catering.
- Yes
- No
- Don't know
Which caterer do you plan to use?
- Valley Forge Catering
- Robert Ryan Catering
- Bause Catering
- Don't know yet
Additional Comments or Questions
Please tell us anything else you think we should know about your event, or ask questions here.
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

General Help / Info

Need help with something? Use the form below to send us a message and someone from our staff will get back to you.

Make a Donation

Book A Private Film Screening

Please fill out this form to rent the Berry Theatre.

Please enter the information of the person who will act as contact for this rental.
Name*
First Last
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Phone*
Email*
Today's Date*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Are you a member of the Colonial Theatre?*
- Yes
- No
Please enter the number of people you are bringing (including yourself).*
As part of your rental package, you and your guests will receive one free small popcorn per guest. Would you like to redeem this benefit?
- Yes
- No
Please note: if only some of your guests would like popcorn, please submit the number of popcorns you would like in the "other" field.
Which film would you like to book for your rental?*
Please note that when you book a private screening rental, you can choose to privately view one of the films screening at the Colonial that week.
Please choose your preferred rental date.*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Please choose an alternative rental date.
MM slash DD slash YYYY

If your prefered date is unavailable, we will schedule your rental on this alternative date.
Rentals are available anytime between 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm during the week. Please enter the time at which you would like to book a private screening.*

Volunteer Application

Become A Colonial Theatre Volunteer!

Today's Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Name
First Last
Employer/Employment Status
Would you be interested in a regular schedule (i.e volunteer every Sunday) if so, which days would you like?
Which jobs are you interested in taking on?
- Usher for films
- Usher for concerts and live events
- Blobfest
- Special Events
- Administrative tasks
Your profession and skills you would like to offer the Colonial and/or anything else we should know about you:
Email

Required for volunteering.
Primary Phone Number
Additional Phone Number
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Emergency Contact

Tell us about yourselves

How would you like to help your clients access the arts or utilize the arts (film, live) to amplify your mission?

Splatterfest X1 Lunch Order Form - 2023

Ticket Order Number*
Please list the order number associated with your Splatterfest XI (2023) Ticket(s).
First and Last Name
Select Your Sandwich Type*
Each of Dixie Picnic's Famous Box Lunches is scratch made and features one (1) sandwich of choice with salad of choice, a deviled egg, and an Upcake.
Select Your Salad Type*

Date	Time

How indie movie theaters have mounted a post-pandemic comeback in Philly

Member Benefits/Business Program

Screen Sponsorship Agreement

Tell Us About Yourself and Your Organization or Business

Slide Run

Film Sponsorship

Event Rental Application

Tell Us About Yourself and Your Organization or Business

Tell Us About Your Event

Equipment, Labor & Other Services

Concessions, Alcohol & Catering

Additional Comments or Questions