The Cinema Theater has been a neighborhood institution since it opened in 1914. By the late 1920's as many as two dozen movie houses served the city neighborhoods of Rochester. With the advent of television and the rise of suburban multiplexes, The Cinema is now Rochester's last neighborhood movie theater. 

Over the years, The Cinema has survived to see great renovation projects. The wooden benches and dirt floor of the original 'flea pit' gave way to the Art-Deco makeover in 1949 by Jo-Mor Theaters. In 1985, Jo Ann Morreales rescued The Cinema from the verge of closing and modernized extensively, including innovations like the digital marquee.

We are committed to staying open no matter what it takes. The one change we must make to stay open is the purchase of a digital projector. By early 2014, film prints will no longer be available. The cost of this projector is approximately $70,000. We don't expect our patrons to contribute every penny of this, but every donation from the community brings us closer to our goal. 

We have been overwhelmed by the generosity our patrons! We are now within $25,000 of our goal. Please keep donating to The Cinema. Your help means everything.