On August 27, the West Newton Cinema Foundation (WNCF) completed its purchase of West Newton Cinema — a major milestone in keeping the theatre alive and thriving as a nonprofit cultural and community center. The WNCF stated, “This pivotal acquisition prevents the theater’s demolition and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as a nonprofit community-run cinema.”
Over the last 18 months since it was formed, the WNCF has raised the $5.6 million needed to acquire the Cinema from Mark Development. Mark Development had acquired the property in 2022 from the Bramante family, which had owned and operated the Cinema for over 40 years and retained a lease to operate it for two more years while another owner/operator might be found. Mark Development gave the WNCF until August 10, 2024 to commit to acquiring the Cinema, which otherwise would likely have been demolished for new construction.
The WNCF succeeded in raising funds for the acquisition, in large part through an extraordinary, anonymous $5.2 million gift in April 2024, consisting of $3.2 million toward acquisition plus $2 million to be matched with other donations received after that date. With subsequent donations, the WNCF secured the funds by the August 10 deadline to commit to the acquisition.
“We are so excited to take this first step toward realizing our vision for West Newton Cinema, and we are deeply grateful to our community of supporters who have made it possible,” said WNCF president Elizabeth Heilig. So far, over 1,000 donors at all levels of support have contributed to the Campaign for the West Newton Cinema.
Fundraising continues for renovations
WNCF’s fundraising continues in earnest for the next phase — restoration and renovation to “transform it into a beautiful, comfortable and welcoming space,” noted Heilig. The WNCF’s overall goal is $14 million, which consists of the $5.6 million already raised for the acquisition, plus $4.4 million for building renovation/restoration, and $4 million to create an endowment to support future programming and building maintenance. “We need our community’s support and participation at all levels,” said Heilig, pointing out that “Leadership gifts include naming opportunities.”
The WNCF expects that the restored Cinema will be a major economic driver for the community, drawing 50,000 visitors to West Newton annually. Heilig said, “For 87 years, the Cinema has been a cornerstone in Newton — a warm, welcoming gathering place for people of all ages… We’re honored to continue this tradition as we raise the funds to restore and renovate the Cinema. We look forward to revitalizing and expanding the Cinema’s programming, bringing fresh energy and depth to Newton’s cultural scene.”
New staff, new programming
The WNCF has hired a new cinema manager and will hire more staff in September to “bring in new energy and exciting programming,” according to Heilig. She highlighted two upcoming events as examples:
- September 12: A screening of The Old Oak will be followed by a panel discussion about the film and immigration, featuring former Congressman Joe Kennedy III and Boston Globe columnist Marcela García and moderated by Ty Burr of the WNCF. It’s a joint fundraiser with English for New Bostonians, a nonprofit that provides English language instruction to immigrants and refugees in the Greater Boston area.
- September 19: A screening of Flying Lessons, a 2023 film, will present the story of two estranged sisters forced together by their mother’s sudden death: Beatrice, an autistic high schooler who wants to learn to fly, and Talia, a queer musician with no interest in teaching her. The screening will be followed by a discussion about neurodiversity, the creative process, and the arts, featuring director/co-writer Sarah Waldron, lead actor/co-writer Julia Schanker (a Newton resident who plays Beatrice and who herself is autistic), and Dr. Eileen Crehan of Tufts University (whose research focuses on neurodiversity and autism spectrum disorder).
