In early October, film buffs around the region received some bittersweet news…

The historic Egyptian Theater in Capitol Hill – which had been closed for repairs – would not reopen as a public theater. The Seattle International Film Festival decided to end its lease, saying it was a difficult decision but that it just wasn’t financially feasible. 

This comes on the back of the closing of the Grand Illusion and AMC 10 theaters in the U-District. 

In an era of streaming services and movie studio consolidations… What DOES it take to keep the independent theater scene thriving?

GUESTS: 
Beth Barrett - Artistic Director SIFF
Kenny Alhadeff - Owner, Majestic Bay Theater
Chase Hutchinson - Freelance Writer and Movie Critic

RELATED LINKS: 
For SIFF, Seattle’s Cinerama was a marquee purchase. Has it paid off?
SIFF lays off staff amid financial challenges
Seattle movie theater update: SIFF will end lease at historic Egyptian

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

In early October, film buffs around the region received some bittersweet news&hellip;
The historic Egyptian Theater in Capitol Hill &ndash; which had been closed for repairs &ndash; would not reopen as a public theater. The Seattle International Film Festival decided to end its lease, saying it was a difficult decision but that it just wasn&rsquo;t financially feasible.&nbsp;
This comes on the back of the closing of the Grand Illusion and AMC 10 theaters in the U-District.&nbsp;
In an era of streaming services and movie studio consolidations&hellip; What DOES it take to keep the independent theater scene thriving?
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Beth Barrett - Artistic Director <a href="https://www.siff.net/">SIFF</a></li>
<li>Kenny Alhadeff - Owner, <a href="https://www.majesticbay.com/">Majestic Bay Theater</a></li>
<li>Chase Hutchinson - <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/author/chase-hutchinson/">Freelance Writer</a> and <a href="https://authory.com/ChaseHutchinson">Movie Critic</a></li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/for-siff-seattles-cinerama-was-a-marquee-purchase-has-it-paid-off/">For SIFF, Seattle&rsquo;s Cinerama was a marquee purchase. Has it paid off?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/siff-lays-off-staff-amid-financially-challenging-time/">SIFF lays off staff amid financial challenges</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/seattle-movie-theater-update-siff-will-end-lease-at-historic-egyptian/">Seattle movie theater update: SIFF will end lease at historic Egyptian</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.&nbsp;

Soundside

KUOW's Paige Browning sits down with a panel of film experts to talk about the challenges independent movie theaters are facing in an era of streaming and movie studio consolidation.

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