On Oct. 3, Cinemapolis, Ithaca’s local independent movie theater, hosted Free Movie Day, a celebration of their 40th anniversary where locals could come see movies all day for free. The event was sponsored by local businesses True Insurance and The Cat’s Pajamas. When I arrived at the theater, I was greeted with a bustling atmosphere of music and conversation. The actual building was filled with art and posters, much more lively than the corporate franchise theaters that I have been to, which largely feel sterile and robotic.
Cinemapolis, located in the heart of Downtown Ithaca, is a nonprofit, first-run movie theater providing the community accessible screenings of new, independent and international films. According to their website, Cinemapolis specializes in independent, foreign and locally-produced films; however, they also screen bigger name movies. For Free Movie Day, they showed new, long-awaited films Primetime and Digger along with independent films Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! and American Doctor and a special screening of Snow White (1916), a silent film accompanied with live instrumentation by harpist Leslie McMichael and violist Barbara McMichael.
As part of their 40th anniversary celebrations, Cinemapolis also held a raffle to help fundraise for the theater. Among the items being raffled off were a 40th anniversary T-shirt, a tote bag, a $50 gift card, a special edition four-disc collection of The Toxic Avenger, one of the first films to be screened at Cinemapolis and a pair of tickets to each of the theater’s 2026 Halloween Staff Picks series.
As an avid movie theater-goer, I have noticed a declining presence in theaters nationwide since COVID-19. Occasionally, movies like Oppenheimer or Obsession bring audiences back, but even for new hits like Coyote vs. Acme, Friday night showings remain largely empty. But Cinemapolis’ Free Movie Day brought sold-out shows and completely packed theaters. This event felt like a revival of active community participation in the arts that I haven’t seen in years. It felt like proof that the existing barrier to audience support for films comes not from a lack of desire, but rather from increasingly costly prices to attend these films.
Cinemapolis prides itself on being a “community cultural institution where the art of film is used to enrich people’s lives, grapple with and illuminate contemporary issues, and, of course, to entertain. … We are committed to building community through the art of film.” One of the best ways I feel they keep the theater a community institution is through their show pricing. As a local nonprofit operating through community donations and grants from foundations and government agencies, Cinemapolis is able to provide lower ticket pricing, with student tickets at $11.
Whereas Regal Ithaca Mall has tickets starting at $15 (excluding several dollars of fees), Cinemapolis is a more affordable option, even for community members, who pay $11 for matinee shows and $12 for evening ones. Cornell Cinema has similarly affordable prices, but because it is not a first-run theater, students may see new films months or even years after their initial releases.
Cinemapolis is so much more than just a movie theater. It is a community revival of film, both studio and independent. It is also a place that celebrates diversity of thought and public discourse. On their website, their programming statement reads, “As a 501c3 nonprofit, Cinemapolis cannot directly or indirectly participate in, or intervene in any political campaign; however the theater is able to hold events where opinions about public policies are expressed. … As a public arts institution, Cinemapolis supports freedom of expression. We offer a platform to films that represent diverse experiences and perspectives, showcase artistic excellence, and provide valuable opportunities for discussion.”
Though Regal Ithaca Mall brings big films and a trusted brand, and Cornell Cinema brings the convenience of on-campus screenings, Cinemapolis is truly Ithaca’s hidden gem. It brings the accessibility of low ticket prices while offering a diversity of big first-run screenings, independent, international and local films. Cinemapolis fosters community in a way that has the potential to revive the arts in Ithaca, and it absolutely should not be overlooked the next time you’re looking to escape studying in your dorm to see a movie.
Katherine Winton is a member of the Class of 2029 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a staff writer for the Arts & Culture department and can be reached at kwinton@cornellsun.com.
