'Something to remember this theatre by': Fans of the Towne Cinema 8 collecting submissions for book
A local film collective is looking to keep the memory of a defunct downtown movie theatre alive.
Last month, the Towne Cinema 8 - located at 301 Notre Dame Avenue - went up for sale after being closed since the pandemic.
The Towne 8 was the last commercial movie theatre to operate in downtown Winnipeg. The announcement of its sale caused an outcry from the local movie-loving community.
"Our collective had quite the emotional response to the closure of this cinema and we also noticed that many folks did, as it was one of the more accessible theatres remaining in Winnipeg," said Meganelizabeth Diamond, director of the Winnipeg Underground Film Festival (WUFF).
"It was a place you could go and see a movie for five dollars," she said.
Diamond is one of the organizers of the "Towne 8 Project," which seeks to collect media, memories, and stories about the nearly 42-year-old theatre. "We are accepting submissions with a rolling deadline in response to the closure of our beloved downtown cinema," Diamond said.
Submissions can include photos and video of the theatre, as well as essays, collages, paintings, and other tributes.
Diamond said they have been receiving a lot of written submissions so far. "Folks just remembering some of their favourite films, or some of the funnier instances they’ve had at the theatre."
She said all submissions will be collected into a book about the Towne 8 to be released next year.
They also hope to hold a film screening at the book launch.
"We just really wanted to harness that energy and have something to remember this theatre by," said Diamond.
Submissions to the Towne 9 Project can be made at the WUFF website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.