Monday marked a new beginning for MSP Film Society as it assumed operations of the St. Anthony Main Theater along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. The theater, which opened on November 22, 1985, will close for several weeks as the film society refreshes and relaunches the theater as MSP Film at The Main.
"We're going to shutdown for a couple of months and spiff the place up a bit," said MSP Film Society programming director Jesse Bishop. "For those who have visited St. Anthony Main Theater in the past few years, it's a wonderfully charming place, but it could use a little T-L-C."
Updates inside the theater will include upgraded projection equipment, close caption options in each screening room, new concession selections, and expanded COVID-19 policies.
Other plans include installing a new theater marquee.
"When folks come back they can expect a cinema experience that is welcoming, relaxed, and somewhere you can go watch a movie with a friend and talk about it afterwards with other movie goers."
The St. Anthony Main Theater isn't unfamiliar territory for Bishop and the MSP Film Society, which is marking their 60th year in 2022.
Back in 2008, the film society moved into St. Anthony Main where they produce the annual MSP International Film Festival. They also used on of the theater's five auditoriums to screen programming throughout the year.
By assuming operations, MSP Film Society will use all five auditoriums to showcase selected films.
"Me and a team of people travel to film festivals throughout the year and scout for movies," Bishop said. "Movies that are made all over the world including right here in Minnesota. There's a wealth of great, local content. We look at the big picture for what movies will be good for our festival and which movies will be coming out on a weekly basis throughout the year."
Bishop says they focus on the art in film with independent, international, and documentary films being their primary selections.
"We're not shy, we'll reach out to a Hollywood movie from time-to-time as well."
Taking over a movie theater comes at a time where theaters continue to push through the COVID-19 pandemic.
"People still want their entertainment and want to experience other types of cultures and cinematic experiences," Bishop said. "Over the past couple of years, that's mainly happened from our living rooms. Kind of like music shows, people are itching to get back to see live performances. We think of it the same way at the theater."
MSP at The Main is scheduled to reopen in March, just in time for the 2022 MSP International Film Festival that runs March 31 through April 14.
"St. Anthony Main is such a historic part of the city's riverfront. It's just a great atmosphere to come out to with a friend or family member to relax and enjoy."
With all of the scheduled changes, one element will remain the same.
Bishop adds that the famed St. Anthony Main popcorn will not change.