Cinelounge Tiburon has always been more than just a movie theater. It’s a community gathering place where families introduce their children to the magic of cinema, film enthusiasts connect and stories come alive on the big screen (including our editor’s own recent feature film).
But this cinematic hub now faces an urgent challenge: raising $474,685 to keep its doors open.
Despite bustling screenings and a vibrant atmosphere, Cinelounge grapples with financial pressures behind the scenes.
Independent cinemas like Cinelounge often lack sufficient studio support and rely heavily on community engagement. The situation has become more pressing due to lingering startup costs and a recent significant rent increase.
As an industry, movie theaters have faced an unprecedented series of setbacks in recent years—from Covid, actors’ and writers’ strikes, and the ever darkening shadow of streaming as the default setting for audience viewing habits. According to research by media consultancy Omdia, North America has 5,691 fewer screens compared with pre-Covid times.
Yet, the ritual of attending a screening as a shared, collective experience with a big screen and a tub of popcorn persists as an American pastime.
“This cinema is a community asset and was built with a dream—to create something truly special for everyone,” wrote Cinelounge creative director Camilla Jackson Meoli on the theater’s GoFundMe page. “A place where people of all ages could come together, escape into stories, spark conversations, and experience the magic of film in a warm, welcoming, and beautifully curated space.”
To realize that dream, Meoli and her team maxed out credit cards and devoted every ounce of time, energy and heart to building the theater. “For a while, it worked—we saw children’s laughter at matinees, spirited discussions at filmmaker Q&As, and friendships form in the glow of the screen,” she continued in the post.
But the last year brought unprecedented challenges. “The industry-wide strikes, the lasting impacts of the pandemic, the rise of streaming, and now a massive rent increase have created a perfect storm,” Meoli explained. “Despite our best efforts, we’re now facing the heartbreaking reality that if things don’t change—we will have to close our doors.”
To help preserve the theater’s mission, Cinelounge has transitioned to a nonprofit model under the new banner Belvedere Tiburon Film Society.
“For years, we’ve already been offering free access to events, hosting community nights, and partnering with local organizations—purely out of our own belief in the importance of what we do,” Meoli wrote. “Operating under nonprofit status gives us the opportunity to do even more for our community—and hopefully, keep this special space alive.”
The goal isn’t just survival—it’s to keep a place alive where the arts thrive, where stories matter and where the community gathers. Every tax-deductible donation directly supports their mission.
To contribute to the campaign, visit bit.ly/save-cinelounge.
