Calgary's Globe Cinema has no plans to close

The Globe Cinema has been put up for sale, which could mean the loss of a long-running Calgary movie theater, but it has been listed for years and the theater says there are no plans to close.

The Globe, home to the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) and Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF), is currently valued at $2.4 million by Avison Young.

Right next door, a Riley reproduction and print also sold for $4.4 million.

The theater, along with the Uptown Theater, formed a strip with movies and shows on Stephen Avenue more than 14 years ago. The Globe was formerly the Towne Cinema, which opened in the mid-1960s at 7th Avenue and 3rd Street SW, closed briefly, and reopened in 1974 at the current location of the Globe. Globus was opened in 1995.

Following the November 2011 closing of the Uptown Theater and the sale of the Barron Building a few years earlier, the Globe stood alone on the Strip, drawing audiences with independent and international films, particularly through festivals and events.

With the Globe up for sale and the Eau Claire Mall closing, Calgary moviegoers seem to have run out of places to watch a film made by local and independent filmmakers.

However, in response to public concern following the sale talk, Globe Cinema released a statement online saying it appreciated the support, but said it was listed as of October 2020 and will continue to operate as usual.

“Many of our supporters may be surprised to learn that our cinema has been closed to the public since October 2020, but this has not affected our ability to bring curated films to Calgary's most dedicated moviegoers,” the statement said.

“While the COVID lockdowns posed a significant financial threat, our work has since thrived thanks to the contributions of the Calgary film community.

“Globe Cinema is and will continue to operate at normal capacity for the foreseeable future. At this time, your support is critical to the expansion of independent cinema in Calgary.”

CUFF also responded to CityNews' requests for comment, saying there had been “misleading news stories about the Globe.”

“The owner has no plans to close yet. And we've always been in touch with the owner and (are) aware of the sale,” said CUFF Festival Director and Programmer Brenda Lieberman.

“Our festival will continue to work with them and look at options in the future if something changes or if we can participate in changes that Globe makes in the future.”

Lieberman also says the Globe remains Calgary's “most rented and used” special event cinema and has multiple screenings for about 15 to 20 film festivals and events a year.

“We can't afford to lose the Globe as a two-screen, indie cinema option in Calgary, so we're trying to stay close and engage on all levels and ideas,” he said.

CIFF will announce plans for the fall festival on May 28, which will include the use of the Globe Cinema.

Meanwhile, CityNews has sought comment from CIFF and Globe Cinema and will update the story once received.

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