Hamilton’s independent venues Playhouse Cinema and Westdale Theatre were included as part of the Cinema Relief Fund that raised a total of $72.9k to provide financial relief to Canadian independent theatres that were forced to suspend operations during COVID-19.
All 29 theatres that applied to the funding received about $2,500 from Hot Docs as well as an additional $2,500 given to Toronto Restaurant Workers Relief Fund.
It's a big, big help! #HamOnt https://t.co/19ys0i6lBs
— The Playhouse Cinema (@PlayhouseHamOnt) June 8, 2021
The fund was launched this spring with the goal to help sustain independent theatre in the country and provide some financial support for when they eventually ge the green light to reopen.
“Thank you so much to Hot Docs audiences who donated to this Fund. Because of your generosity, we’re able to provide even more cinemas across the country financial relief they so urgently need,” said Erin Lau, managing director for Hot Docs.
“Independent cinemas add so much to the cultural fabric of a community — both large and small — and from the response to this Fund, it’s clear that our audiences recognize that and wanted to help during this challenging time.”
The Playhouse Cinema and Westdale Theatre have been closed for the majority of the pandemic. They have both provided different services to keep cash flow during the lockdowns such as private theatre rentals, virtual movie screenings, and merchandise sales.
It was reported last week that Cineplex plans to open their theatres in other provinces in the coming weeks with summer movies being some of the busiest periods for movie cinemas.
Lead image courtesy of @playhousecinema
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