Everything Old is New Again

History does repeat itself.  And sometimes it is shared wisdom of the people that helps the good times to be repeated.

If you wanted evidence that local movie houses can exist in the small towns of America, all that you need to do is follow the progress of the Bryn Mawr Film Institute.

In March of this past year, Bryn Mawr Film Institute (BMFI) broke ground on bringing back and expanding upon a grand old movie house in the town.  The historic 1926 Seville Theater will have a 6,000 square foot extension and an additional 2 screening rooms to double the programming.

“We’re here to make a great place even better,” announced Samuel Scott, president of the organization’s board of directors. It took the imagination and energy of the collective town to purchase the old building and recreate BMFI as a non-profit venue for independent and art films and a center for film education. 

Spearheading the charge is Juliet Goodfriend as founder and president. Some 10,057 individuals have contributed to the theater's transition since the idea to revive the movie house took shape in 2005.

“We had no idea how beloved it would be when we started,” she said.

BMFI programming includes live streaming of events, independent and foreign films, blockbusters, classic movies and educational programs for young and old.

Lower Merion Commissioner Scott Zelov, who represents central Bryn Mawr, said BMFI’s ripple effect cannot be overstated.

He noted the number of new restaurants and other businesses that continue to locate there.  BMFI is also a landmark that is referenced on real estate ads in the town.  “The Bryn Mawr business district would not be what it is today without the anchor of the Bryn Mawr Film Institute,” he said.

BMFI is history repeating itself: this time with large comfortable theater seats, side closed-captioning for hearing assistance and digital projection as well as vision assistance for patrons.  Only popcorn remains the same.