What is the independent cinema sector?

What is the independent cinema sector?

How to support Canada’s independent cinemas

  1. Executive Summary
  2. What is the independent cinema sector?
  3. Canadian film needs Canadian cinemas
  4. The shift back to theatrical
  5. What independent cinemas bring to Canadian communities
  6. Independents need support with: Cineplex and ‘zones’
  7. Independents need support with: ‘Clean runs’ from studios
  8. Independents need support with: Capacity to grow
  9. Act now: Write a letter to support your favourite independent cinema!
About NICE

The Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors (NICE) is a not-for-profit industry body representing the independent cinema sector. 

As of March 2023, NICE has 128 paying members, made up primarily of independent cinemas, as well as some individual film programmers.

Through exclusive programs, industry roundtables, group buying and an active online community, NICE supports the important cultural and economic work of film exhibition. 

As mainstream viewing habits have changed, the role of film exhibitors has become that of crucial community space; NICE is here to ensure they remain part of Canada’s cultural fabric. 

Independent Cinemas are Not Cineplex

Perhaps the most defining characteristic of independent cinemas in Canada is that they are not Cineplex.

Cineplex represents 75% of Canadian box office market share (source: Cineplex Investor Relations deck, Third Quarter 2022), and one impact of this manifests in limited access to film for independents. Learn more

Independent Cinemas

There are approximately 400 non-Cineplex or -Landmark cinemas in Canada with approximately 1,200 screens.

Independent cinemas are across Canada. NICE has members in every province, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Most rural cinemas in Canada are independent. One in five Canadians live in rural communities.

Independent cinemas are community-oriented, mostly locally owned and show a mix of old and new films they know their audience will love.

Independent cinemas build a relationship with their audience. They have email newsletter lists, social media followings and other direct relationships with their community.

Cineplex

Fewer locations, more screens. “As of December 31, 2021, Cineplex owned, leased or had a joint venture interest in 1,652 screens in 160 theatres” (Cineplex Management’s Discussion & Analysis, 2021). 

There are zero Cineplex locations in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon. With a few exceptions, most Cineplex locations in Canada are in larger cities and their suburbs.

Cineplex primarily shows new blockbuster films and, with a few exceptions, most Cineplex locations show the same content.

Cineplex locations do not cultivate the same level of relationship with their community as independent cinemas do.


How to support Canada’s independent cinemas

  1. Executive Summary
  2. What is the independent cinema sector?
  3. Canadian film needs Canadian cinemas
  4. The shift back to theatrical
  5. What independent cinemas bring to Canadian communities
  6. Independents need support with: Cineplex and ‘zones’
  7. Independents need support with: ‘Clean runs’ from studios
  8. Independents need support with: Capacity to grow
  9. Act now: Write a letter to support your favourite independent cinema!