Films are lighting up big screens once again as cinemas have been reopening across Vancouver, with health measures in place of course. Among them have been the Cinematheque, the Rio Theatre, the Dunbar Theatre, and Cineplex.

Another movie theatre chain is joining them but a local arthouse cinema isn’t for reasons unrelated to the pandemic.

Landmark Cinemas

Calgary-based Landmark Cinemas is reopening all of its movie theatres in Western Canada.

Six locations reopened in Alberta on June 26 while all remaining locations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and B.C. were scheduled to reopen today (July 3).

The chain’s theatres in Manitoba and Ontario will remain closed until municipal and provincial health authorities allow reopening.

All of its locations will practise new health and safety measures, including seating capacity reduced by 50 percent, reduced showtimes and increased time between screenings to reduce numbers of people in lobbies, and regular sanitization and cleaning of the facilities.

In the Lower Mainland, locations in New Westminster and Surrey reopen today. 

As part of its reopening, Surrey Guildford will now feature the company's exclusive Laser Ultra premium large format (PLF), which uses a laser projection system and Dolby Atmos sound.

Vancity Theatre

One exception in the local film exhibition scene is Vancity Theatre, which began suspending screenings on March 16 due to the pandemic, is remaining closed this summer.

However, its ongoing closure is not due to the pandemic but because of a $2.8 million renovation project that will include the creation of a micro-cinema, a new media lab, an education suite, a relocated concession stand, and a redesigned atrium.

While its physical theatre may not be accessible, Vancity Theatre is still offering an array of films to stream at home, in addition to videos of talks and podcasts. For full details, visit the Vancouver International Film Centre website.

Speaking of which, details for the 39th edition of the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), slated to run from September 24 to October 7, have also been announced, and will be available online for all British Columbians. Full details are available at the VIFF website.