Hartford
Connecticut
Cinestudio
History
Cinestudio was founded in 1970 by a group of students at Trinity College. The students converted a large lecture hall in the college’s Clement Chemistry Building into a recreation of a 1930s film house. The theater was created as a cooperative, with students overseeing all aspects of the theater’s operation. Cinestudio made its mark early by showing controversial films and debuting future cult classics, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Cinestudio has continued largely as a cooperative operation. Two founding members, James Hanley and Peter McMorris, have guided the theater since its inception and now manage its day-to-day operation, including all nightly projection. A staff of approximately 50 student and community volunteers run showings seven days a week.
In 2002, Cinestudio incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization. The theater now is independent of Trinity College, although it still occupies space in the college’s chemistry building.
In 2007, the theater’s ticket booth was renamed the Fred Pfeil Memorial Ticket Booth in honor of late Trinity College professor and long-time Cinestudio volunteer and board member, Fred Pfeil.
Upcoming Events at Cinestudio
Recent News
Cinestudio News - December 20, 2023
Congratulations, Joe Barber, on being named the 2023-2024 Cinestudio Volunteer of the Year! Joe, over the years, has been a stalwart supporter of Cinestudio. In his daytime role as Director of Community Service and Civic Engagement at Trinity, he…
Read More »Cinestudio News - August 22, 2023
Coming up at Cinestudio Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One August 25 - August 31 Nothing says pure summer delight more than a perfectly made action movie on the gigantic Cinestudio screen! And who is more qualified to serve it up…
Read More »Cinestudio News - August 1, 2023
OPPENHEIMER New dates and times have been added! Now through Aug. 9. Special 10 am screening on August 8th with doughnuts, pre-purchase your tickets below! More seats added for the summer’s most anticipated film. Come experience this…
Read More »Cinestudio News - July 19, 2023
OPPENHEIMER July 21 - August 3 The summer’s most anticipated film (for people over 15) can now be experienced in the most-loved cinema in Hartford and beyond! Film fanatic Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Dunkirk, Inception) has…
Read More »Cinestudio News - July 6, 2023
BIOSPHERE July 7 - July 12 A mysterious and hilarious new comedy has arrived just in time to kick off the summer with a satisfying edge. The first film written and directed by Seattle’s indie celebrity Mel Eslyn is a buddy film like no other.…
Read More »Cinestudio News And Films
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Lawrence Stires, age 93, on June 10, 2023. He leaves behind his partner of 50 years, Paul Pellerin, and two nieces, Susan Elliott and Kimberly Matlack. Larry was the Director of the Language…
Read More »Cinestudio News - June 20, 2023
THE RUNNER Tue. 6/20 at 5 pm | Wed. 6/21 at 1pm & 5pm Thur. 6/22 at 7 pm Restored from the original negative in 2K Don’t miss the chance to see the revival of a masterpiece exactly where it belongs – in a cinema with a single,…
Read More »Cinestudior season at Another
Dear Cinestudio Cinephile: As a loyal friend and supporter of Cinestudio, you know our mission is to provide a cinematic experience that is second to none. Each year, we work hard to curate a diverse offering of quality films and programs for…
Read More »Coming up at Cinestudio - June 13, 2023
The 36th annual Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival was moved to October 2023, but we couldn’t let LGBTQ Pride Month go by without sharing some of the best new films of the year! Come out and join us for four film programs. THE RUNNER June…
Read More »On Screen At Cinestudio
On Screen At Cinestudio A Thousand and One Tuesday, May 16 at 7 pm | Wednesday, May 17 at 7 pm | Thursday, May 18 at 4 pm and 7 pm This year, the Sundance Film Festival awarded its Grand Jury Prize to A Thousand and One, written and…
Read More »A Great Lineup At Cinestudio
Rare Objects Tue., April 18 at 4 pm & 7 pm | Wed., April 19 at 7 pm | Thur., April 20 at 7 pm In moving the setting of Kathleen Tessaro’s acclaimed novel from Boston during the Great Depression to present-day New York City, Rare Objects…
Read More »Cinestudio - Coming Up On Screen
Poll Closes This Saturday! Let us know what you think! CINESTUDIO SIX DECADES OF MOVIES AT TRINITY Beginning in September as part of the 1823 series, Cinestudio will host one free film screening for each decade of its time on campus, starting with…
Read More »Cinestudio : April In Paris is in full bloom!
CINESTUDIO SIX DECADES OF MOVIES AT TRINITY Beginning in September as part of the 1823 series, Cinestudio will host one free film screening for each decade of its time on campus, starting with the 1970s. Vote for the movie that symbolizes…
Read More »Cinestudio -Celebration of African American Cinema continues
Join us tonight, Thursday, February 16, as we celebrate turning 53! Free cupcakes before THE WHALE at 7 pm! KILLER OF SHEEP Feb. 17 - Feb. 22 Join us Sunday, February 19 at 1:30 pm for a pre-film talk led by Nicholas Forster, a lecturer in…
Read More »Cinestudio -Celebration of African American Cinema program
Cinestudio is pleased to present as part of our Celebration of African American Cinema program, sponsored in part by the Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation. PERSONAL PROBLEMS Feb. 3 - Feb. 8 All Tickets are $5 or Free with a Student ID…
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