Dear Friends of the Princess,
The last two years have been very hard on arts and culture. Cinemas are the first to be shut down and the last to re-open.
Over the years, many people have reached out to tell us what the Princess means to them, and we feel it, too. We have been at this for almost 37 years because we can't imagine Kitchener-Waterloo without the Princess! We believe strongly that an independent cinema like the Princess is so much more than just movies: it's community. The Princess wouldn't be here without the support of our community!
Whether it's the independent and foreign films you would not have seen anywhere else; live concerts; free outdoor movies at Waterloo Park; director Q&A sessions (Bruce McDonald, Atom Egoyan, Brigitte Berman, Rob Stewart and Bill Mason to name a few!); Canada Film Days; Art & Architecture Film Fest; co-presentations with local groups and businesses; meeting Greg Sestero of The Room; classic films on the big screen; Banff and Paddling Film Festivals; Rocky Horror; Oscar parties; free Christmas movies for the Foodbank; Casablanca.... it's all about the memories and so many wonderful movies, all experienced together!
For the past two years, we have been closed more than we have been open and it's been a challenge. Curb-side shopping and take-out is very limited for cinemas. Offering streaming is not a realistic nor profitable option. Once again, we are forced to close in the winter, typically our busiest season. It has always been our Oscar hits that subsidize the many small, independent films we show throughout the year. Two winters lost is devastating.
If the Princess has ever meant anything to you, or even if you don't come that much anymore, but you value the contribution that a cinema like the Princess brings to the community, please consider a seat sponsorship. Dedicate a seat to the film lover in your life, yourself, a loved one, an organization, a business.... the possibilities are endless! This is a meaningful way to show your support of independent film, the arts and small business.
Your contribution will go a long way to helping the Princess and our staff during the challenging days ahead. Other ways to support us during this lockdown is through the merch store [1], buying movie passes now and/or Popcorn Pickup (every Fri & Sat, 5-8pm).
If you didn't get a chance to read John Tutt's recent interview in the Chronicle and the Record, here it is [2]. He explains what it's been like for the last two years.
Thanks for helping us make great memories for 37 years. Here's to many more!