'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
'I'm a Canadian': MP named in foreign interference report speaks out, refutes claims
The Liberal MP who allegedly benefitted from Chinese election interference is speaking out against the report, categorically stating the foreign government did not help him in his nomination campaign.

'A very, very difficult odour': Senate adjourns early after foul smell in the building disrupts proceedings
The Senate adjourned early on Tuesday afternoon after a foul smell in the building caused headaches in the chamber and disrupted proceedings.
Nordstrom liquidation sales underwhelm Canadians as most items marked down 5 per cent
The first day of Nordstrom's liquidation sale began on Tuesday, but some shoppers walked away underwhelmed, as most items were only marked down five per cent.
Second body recovered from Old Montreal building destroyed by fire
Montreal police confirmed Tuesday evening that a second body has been recovered from the building in Old Montreal that was destroyed by a fire last week.
Trump's potential indictment caps decades of legal scrutiny
For 40 years, former President Donald Trump has navigated countless legal investigations without ever facing criminal charges. That record may soon come to an end.
Via Rail apologizes after Muslim man told not to pray at Ottawa train station
Via Rail is apologizing after a Muslim man was told he couldn't pray at the Ottawa train station.
These foods cost more in Canada, despite inflation rate slowdown
Overall inflation in Canada is cooling, according to just-released data, but the trend is not being reflected at grocery stores, where prices for some items continue to grow.
Ontario man fails driving test, almost hits 4 people with vehicle before doing burnouts in parking lot: police
Police in Guelph, Ont. have charged a man who they say failed a driving test before driving off and nearly hitting four people with his vehicle and then deciding to do burnouts in a parking lot.
Trudeau's top aide Telford to testify, amid Hill drama over foreign interference
After weeks of resistance, and ahead of a vote that could have compelled it to happen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office announced Tuesday that his chief of staff Katie Telford will testify about foreign election interference, before a committee that has been studying the issue for months.