Best Kept Secrets
Sawtell Cinema Reopens
SAWTELL CINEMA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND READY TO PROVIDE LOCALS WITH A NEW ENVIRONMENT TO ENJOY BOTH HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTERS AND ARTHOUSE CLASSICS. FOCUS CAUGHT UP WITH THE NEW TEAM, THAT HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO STEER THIS LOCAL ICON BACK INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.
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fter such an amazing example of people power and social engagement that has seen the Sawtell Cinema saved and reopened, Majestic Cinemas must be proud to have ben chosen to manage the facility? Majestic Cinemas is very proud to have been entrusted by the community, via the group of owners, with stewardship of what will be a great facility - a combination of heritage art deco with modern seating and digital technology. The commitment of the community has been shown with the crowdfunding results and the large number of locals engaging with the Save Sawtell Cinema website and Facebook page. We would like to acknowledge all these contributors to the resurrection of this local icon. Majestic Cinemas is a proud Mid North Coast company and is committed to bringing the best quality movie experience to our customers. While Sawtell will be our 7th site, ranging now from Nambour on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland down to The Entrance on the NSW Central Coast, each of our sites is uniquely managed according to the needs of the local population. We understand and are involved in each of our local communities. Our size gives us economies of scale and allows us to also keep our prices reasonable. Local Coffs Harbour resident, Brenton Spoehr, is in charge of programming. What skills and experience does he bring to the table? Brenton has over 25 years of experience in cinema and cinema programming. Brenton has been with Majestic since its inception in Nambucca Heads in 2002, having previously part-owned the cinema there. Brenton’s sole focus is to programme Majestic’s cinemas, and he diligently researches the full range of movies and other content to ensure the best programme is provided to each of the communities we operate in. Brenton negotiates with all the movie suppliers on a daily basis to ensure we have the appropriate movies showing at each site and the optimum number of sessions. He is one of the most highly respected programmers in the Australian industry. As a long time resident of Coffs Harbour, Brenton understands intimately the needs of the local population. Judi Quinn is also from the local area and is 56 coffs coast focus.
managing the cinema. national release We plan to runlm fi of r be m Tell us a little about on February 7) as a nu ut ho ug ro th s al iv her background ... well as a season fest our the year, fromional Film Judi has worked of the English rnat te In n ow n with Majestic National Opera ustralia Festival and Ato e Cinemas for almost filmed live on th al iv st Film Fe stival Fe lm 10 years at our stage from late Fi g lin el Trav ydney Nambucca Heads February and (a part of the S d site as one of the through the year. Film Festival) an ch as su ts special even Managers there. Judi is We plan to run Flickerfest.” a long-term resident of a number of film Bellingen, and is very wellfestivals throughout known among the community the year, from our own there. Judi is passionate about International Film Festival movies, particularly quality movies, has a and Australian Film Festival to the passion for marketing, especially within the local Travelling Film Festival (a part of the community, and is one of Majestic’s best and Sydney Film Festival) and special events such most experienced managers of customer service. as Flickerfest. Judi also happens to have a flair for graphic design, Details of upcoming films and events can be and designs a number of flyers, signs and other easily found at our website: majesticcinemas.com. marketing materials across Majestic Cinemas. Judi au will lead the team at Sawtell Cinema and is very Are you taking a different approach to this excited about working with the local community to cinema than some of the others that you deliver the best movie experience. manage? What types of movies is the cinema set to We take a different approach to all of our premiere? cinemas, and Sawtell will be no exception. Given Majestic Cinemas, Sawtell will offer a wide the local appetite for quality movies and events, range of movies and other content to appeal to we will be focusing on this area as a key area of all moviegoers. In holiday time, there will be a differentiation. focus on family movies and major blockbusters, Since reopening, how has the local community with a sprinkling of quality cinema via Majestic’s reacted? Select Series. Out of holiday time, there will be an We have been absolutely stunned with the increased focus on our Select Series. reaction from the local community to the reOver this January holiday period, Sawtell opening. The midnight session of Star Wars, residents and visitors will enjoy movies as diverse as the first public session, sold out in record time Star Wars: The Force Awakens and family friendly (sorry to those who missed out). The feedback fare such as The Good Dinosaur, Peanuts and Alvin on social media and directly to our staff has been and The Chipmunks 4, through to quality cinema overwhelmingly positive and welcoming. in Suffragette, Nowhere Boys, The Dressmaker, What are some of the films that we can look Joy, Carol and The Danish Girl. In addition, there forward to seeing over the next few months? will be some special events, including a Q&A with In addition to the films listed above in January the director of the Australian movie Tanna on Jan and early February, from late February through to 1, and a screening of the debut of the new series Easter we are looking forward to showing movies of Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, on like Risen, Gods of Egypt, Sherpa, The Lady in the January 2. Van (with the incomparable Maggie Smith) and Following the holiday period, local audiences can the action thriller London has Fallen, with Easter expect to enjoy such quality movies as Spotlight, and the April holidays bringing a range of great Looking for Grace and Brooklyn (including a special movies including Disney’s Zootopia, My Big Fat premiere event for the latter on the Sun prior to Greek Wedding 2, Kung Fu Panda 3, Batman vs
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Superman, The Huntsman and The Jungle Book. And of course, we are looking forward to welcoming David Stratton to Sawtell for a special screening for one of the biggest supporters of the cinema, and its 2nd official opening, on 20 February with the wonderful classic film Singing in the Rain, a movie which has to be seen on the big screen to be believed. Has adding the Sawtell Cinema to your stable allowed you to acquire a wider range of titles to showcase across the other cinemas? We already access a wide range of films across our various sites, especially with our flagship five screen site in Port Macquarie. This will allow us to get access to smaller films in a more timely manner for Sawtell than was the case under its previous incarnation, helped by the fact that we will have a 2nd screen and that we will be fully digital. What are the plans for the cinema’s future? Majestic plans to make the Sawtell Cinema one of the most diverse in programming in northern NSW, with a range of quality films and special events. We aim to make the cinema the centrepiece of this vibrant community, one of which the community will be proud to be associated with, and to work with local community organisations on everything from special interest screenings and events, to school screenings, to charity fundraisers. Where can our readers find out more? The best place is our website - majesticcinemas. com.au - there is information on the website about how to contact us, current and upcoming movies and events and of course all the session times. The website also contains information on ticket prices, including our great Majestic Movie Club offer - for $25 per year you receive a free ticket, 10% off the candy bar and $8 tickets every day of the year. The Movie Club is one of our most popular offers and has thousands of members at all of Majestic’s sites, and Sawtell will be no different. And of course, membership applies not just to Sawtell but for those going to Nambucca Heads as well as any other Majestic Cinema, including Port Macquarie. Just print out the application form from the website or pick one up in the foyer, and bring it in for instant membership and to claim your free movie. Thanks guys.