(Image: SIFF)
A plot twist in local cinema Seattle moviegoers had seen coming has been made official. Thursday, SIFF announced it will not be reopening its run in Capitol Hill’s Egyptian Theatre.
“For many months we prioritized finding a path to reopen this beloved venue. SIFF is currently prioritizing financial and operational sustainability above all else so the organization can continue the expansive programming offered at our additional three venues: SIFF Cinema Downtown, SIFF Cinema Uptown, and the SIFF Film Center,” SIFF executive director Tom Mara said in a statement.
In June, CHS reported on the financial struggles befalling Mara and SIFF as the nonprofit announced the E Pine theater would remain shuttered for the indefinite future and announced layoffs.
The Egyptian’s curtain has not risen since last November when a devastating water leak in the Seattle Central-owned building’s fourth floor mainline damaged several floors of the five-story, 110-year-old structure which houses the former Masonic Temple where SIFF Cinema Egyptian operated.
There were ominous signs for any possible reopening. In March, CHS reported hopefully on progress by building owner Seattle Central College to make repairs and allow the theater to reopen. While school officials were optimistic, the cinema nonprofit pulled the rug out from under any enthusiasm heading into its annual film festival.
Now SIFF’s exit is official.
SIFF had been caring for the Egyptian for more than a decade. Its 2014 deal to take over the theater after the Landmark chain pulled the plug on its projectors included a 10-year lease with Seattle Central with options for five-year extensions.
A SIFF spokesperson confirmed the organization started a renewed five-year extension in October of 2024.
But some promises are made to be broken. In the joint announcement, Seattle Central said only that SIFF “will not continue its lease.”
Thursday’s announcement included no plans for the future of the historic venue.
A Seattle Central spokesperson declined to provide additional information about any financial considerations in terminating the SIFF lease but said the theater is repairs have long been completed. “What I can tell you is the Egyptian Theatre remains open and available for use,” the spokesperson said.
Capitol Hill’s days as a neighborhood thick with art house screens are long gone. The cinema at the Broadway Market closed decades ago and the neighborhood’s Harvard Exit Theater was overhauled and reopened in 2018 to serve thousands every year as the home of the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle.
Smaller screen cinema experiences carry on at 12th Ave’s Northwest Film Forum and Central Cinema which has been celebrating its 20+ years in the Central District.
Seattle art house cinema The Grand Illusion last year announced a partnership with NWFF for screenings after losing the lease for its longtime University District home. The nonprofit’s search for a new location continues.
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damn it. what happens next? The Egyptian is an icon. Where are the rich film-loving people willing to fund something amazing like an alamo drafthouse situation? I doubt the likes of regal or whatever is willing to take on this kind of legacy property.
Capitol Hill is filling with an ever-growing number of shuttered storefronts.
And, contra to what a lot of the psychotic crypto-conservatives who post on this blog would say, it’s something that’s happening everywhere.
But, wow, is it getting bad.
Granted the Egyptian is a bad example, as it had a water leak that caused a mountain of damage, but, still….
Condos
The problem is rich people usually aren’t weird in good ways, like funding cool movie theaters. They just want to do things like live forever or propagate Mars with their seed. Paul Allen was the exception with the Cinerama, but then he died.
Yeah that darn Gates trying to cure diseases…why can’t he do cool stuff like movie theaters?!?
I’m personally crossing my fingers for McMenamins! Not sure they’d bother with a property they can’t own outright, though…
The Grand Illusion has been nomadic and searching for a venue since they lost their lease in January. Is there any way that we can support the Grand Illusion in taking over the space? It would be a major upgrade from their former location!
would definitely support this but i think we are talking about millions here. from what i heard the damage is serious. i hate the idea of resorting to the moneyed elite but it’s hard to imagine how this particular situation goes any other way for a decent outcome.
It would probably be way too big a jump for them. Going from that teeny tiny volunteer run theater to one that holds hundreds of people and has more complicated operational and infrastructural needs would be dicey.
SIFF member w broken heart over this announcement
Fellow member and feeling the same. Sending hugs!
The Egyptian has long been overdue for a major structural overhaul. SIFF had to make a business decision and focus on the venues it has to keep them viable and sustainable for the long-term. The onus for the future of The Egyptian rests with Seattle Central and it will be interesting to see what that is.
All that said, this SIFF member and long, long lover of The Egyptian is deeply saddened by this turn of events.
Sad to hear this. I have so many memories of seeing great films there over the years.
The old movie houses in Seattle are disappearing one by one (see Harvard Exit, Seven Gables, etc.) Soon there will be none left.
Keepmfacade and build housing. Wait – we already did that everywhere else in cap hill…
Such a shame that SIFF is leaving The Egyptian behind. I hope SIFF finds a new home and that The Egyptian can remain a vibrant part of the neighborhood.
Honestly my red flags came up when they decided to buy and renovate the Cinerama. That’s huge and expensive undertaking. I kind of wish they hadn’t bought that but bought the now empty AMC 9 building in the U District and moved the film festival there.
The AMC is a pretty penny. Also? They really do not need that large of a facility. Also? The mission is to save the old buildings.