One of the Nation’s Busiest Theaters, IFC Center Thrives on Menu of Independent, Foreign and Documentary Features
Serves as Theatrical Flagship for IFC Entertainment and
Has Become Key Venue for New York City’s Independent Film Community
New York, NY – October 5, 2009 – On the heels of its fourth anniversary in June, IFC Center today announced a significant expansion, with the construction of two additional movie theaters. The new theaters will expand the IFC Center from three auditoriums to five, increasing capacity by 25%. Construction is underway and the new theaters are expected to open to the public in early 2010. IFC Center is located at 323 Avenue of the Americas, at West Third Street, in New York’s Greenwich Village.
"We’re very proud to be both a neighborhood theater for the West Village, as well as key destination cinema for cineastes from all over," said John Vanco, VP & GM of IFC Center. "With the addition of these two new screens, we look forward to being able to show even more great movies to even bigger audiences."
Originally built as a church in the early 19th century, the IFC Center building first became a cinema in 1937 as the Waverly, a grand, single-screen neighborhood theater that later embraced the countercultural cinematic movements of the 60s and 70s when it gave THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW its original midnight launch. Ultimately closed in 2001, the Waverly was reborn and reimagined as IFC Center in 2005, after an extensive gut renovation of the historic space. Bogdanow Partners Architects, PC were responsible for the renovation design in 2005, as well as the current expansion project. One of the most technologically robust and advanced cinemas in the country, IFC not only offers 2k digital projection, but is one of the very few independent theaters that projects from the DCI-compliant DCP format.
With the expansion, IFC Center will continue its programming strategy of presenting audiences the best in new independent, foreign and documentary filmmaking. The venue’s new theaters and expanded capacity will allow it to open films like IFC Center blockbusters GOMORRAH, INLAND EMPIRE, and CHE on more screens. Additionally, the new complex will be able to extend the runs of future word-of-mouth hits in the vein of MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY, EXAMINED LIFE, ART & COPY and THE PERVERT’S GUIDE TO CINEMA, all of which had very successful limited engagements on calendar.
Over the course of its four-year history, IFC Center has enjoyed significant year-to-year increases in box-office sales, with 2009 up significantly over 2008. In addition to its box-office success, the theater is known for:
- Filmmaker appearances by legends such as David Lynch, George Clooney, Steven Soderbergh, Michael Apted, Terry Gilliam, Isabella Rossellini, John Malkovich, Jane Fonda, Spike Lee, Michael Moore, DA Pennebaker and Albert Maysles, as well as such new talents as Steve McQueen, Miranda July, Julia Loktev, Jeff Garlin, Margaret Brown, Aaron Katz and John Krasinski.
- Successful partnerships and collaborations with a wide range of New York, national and international institutions and cultural organizations, including Columbia University, The Film Society of Lincoln Center, Unifrance, The New York International Children’s Film Festival, The International Documentary Association, The New York Asian Film Festival, the True/False Film Festival, SilverDocs, The Toronto International Film Festival and many others.
- Innovative programming that, in addition to first-run films, presents noted repertory series and retrospectives, ongoing programs devoted to classic films and midnight movies, the acclaimed Stranger Than Fiction documentary series, and short films shown before the theater’s regular features.
- A membership program that offers free sneak preview screenings of upcoming releases, ticket and merchandise discounts, and other rewards.
Upcoming openings and special events at IFC Center include Lars von Trier’s Cannes shocker ANTICHRIST; a new restoration of the Latin-American landmark ARAYA, in its US theatrical premiere; international festival hits such as Lukas Moodysson’s English-language debut MAMMOTH and Corneliu Porumboiu’s POLICE, ADJECTIVE; a revival of Fran?ois Truffaut’s beloved classic SMALL CHANGE, in a new 35mm print; the theatrical premiere of selections from David Lynch’s INTERVIEW PROJECT; and a Monty Python retrospective presented in the theater’s ongoing Waverly Midnights program.
About IFC Center
IFC Center is a state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village, opened in June 2005 following an extensive renovation of the historic Waverly Theater. Bringing the very best in new foreign-language, American independent, and documentary features to NYC audiences, IFC Center is also known for its innovative repertory series and festivals, for showing short films before its regular features in the ongoing "Short Attention Span Cinema" program, and for special events such as the guest-curated "Movie Nights" and frequent in-person appearances by filmmakers. The theater’s lobby concession stands features a unique array of food and merchandise, from organic popcorn, locally-made vegan baked goods and David Lynch coffee to CineMetal t-shirts, books and a carefully curated selection of classic, foreign and independent films on DVD and Blu-Ray. IFC Center also offers a membership program that includes ticket and merchandise discounts, free members-only screenings and other rewards. For additional theater information, current and upcoming program details and more, visit www.ifccenter.com