Bryn Mawr Film Institute

Bryn Mawr Film Institute (BMFI) is a nonprofit, community-supported movie theater and film-education organization based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, on Philadelphia's Main Line. It operates from the historic Seville Theater, a building designed by Philadelphia theater architect William Harold Lee and opened in 1926. The venue began as a single-screen theater and was divided into two screens during the 1980s. Its later development was shaped by the collapse of the national theater chain that owned the property. After that company entered bankruptcy in 2002, local academic, business, and civic leaders formed the Bryn Mawr Film Institute to preserve the theater as an independent cultural institution. Juliet Goodfriend led the rescue effort and became the organization's founding president and executive director. Following fundraising campaigns, zoning appeals, and community organizing, BMFI acquired the theater in 2004 and reopened it in March 2005. The reopening was attended by actor Ben Kingsley. BMFI's programming combines mainstream and specialized cinema, with an emphasis on foreign-language, independent, art-house, repertory, and otherwise distinctive films. The institute presents films for a local membership-supported audience rather than operating solely as a commercial multiplex. Film education is a central part of its mission. Its activities include programs with area schools, adult film-studies courses, film discussions, and a summer filmmaking workshop for high-school students. Open Screen Mondays provide a venue for filmmakers from the surrounding area to present their work. The organization also develops community partnerships that offer participating organizations benefits and help connect the cinema with local civic life. The theater underwent a multistage restoration and expansion after BMFI purchased it. Early work refurbished the lobby, upgraded production and sound systems, modernized electrical and heating infrastructure, and added a café. The first phase concluded with the installation of a new marquee in March 2006. A second phase restored the skylit atrium and added classroom facilities and an elevator. Later work introduced two additional theaters and renovated the two existing auditoriums. The completed renovation was formally celebrated on April 27, 2014. The transformation was supported by substantial community fundraising, including approximately $9 million raised for the overall restoration effort and a reported $2 million cost for the atrium restoration phase. BMFI is sustained by memberships, admissions, educational activity, donations, partnerships, and community support. The institute reported more than 9,100 supporting members in the reference material associated with its Wikipedia entry. Juliet Goodfriend remained the organization's president until April 2017, when she became chair of the board. Samuel R. Scott, previously board chair, became executive director and chief executive. BMFI's identity rests on preserving a historic local theater while using it as a venue for diverse film exhibition, education, and community participation.

The building now occupied by Bryn Mawr Film Institute began as the Seville Theater, constructed in 1926 during a period of theater development along Philadelphia's Main Line. It was designed by William Harold Lee, a Philadelphia architect associated with the design of more than 200 theaters. The original Seville was a single-screen venue and was later divided into two auditoriums during the 1980s. The theater's survival as an independent cultural venue became uncertain in 2002, when the national chain that owned it declared bankruptcy. Juliet Goodfriend, together with academic, business, and civic leaders from the surrounding area, organized the Bryn Mawr Film Institute to preserve the property and continue its use as a cinema. The effort required fundraising, community events, and zoning appeals. BMFI completed its purchase of the theater in 2004. After the acquisition, the institute pursued a three-phase restoration. Early improvements included refurbishment of the lobby, new production and sound equipment, modernization of electrical and heating systems, and construction of a café. The first phase was completed in March 2006, marked by the installation of a new marquee. The second phase restored the skylit atrium to a condition closer to its original design and added classroom space and an elevator. That phase was completed in March 2009. A later phase added two modern theaters and renovated the two existing auditoriums. The full renovation project was celebrated on April 27, 2014. The institute reopened in March 2005, with actor Ben Kingsley attending the reopening. Since then, BMFI has operated as a nonprofit, community-supported cinema with programming that spans foreign, independent, art-house, mainstream, and special-event films. Its mission extends beyond exhibition. The organization works with area schools, offers adult film-studies courses, hosts film discussions, and runs a summer filmmaking workshop for high-school students. Open Screen Mondays provide an outlet for local filmmakers, while community partnerships connect the theater with local organizations. Governance has changed as the organization matured. Goodfriend served as founding president and executive director until April 2017, when she became chair of the board. Samuel R. Scott, formerly board chair, assumed the executive director and CEO roles. The board has included film specialists, civic leaders, philanthropists, elected officials, and other community representatives. BMFI's institutional model combines historic preservation, nonprofit cultural programming, membership support, education, and local participation. The result is a cinema that functions both as a theater and as a community arts organization serving Bryn Mawr and the wider Philadelphia Main Line.

• 2017

  Executive leadership transition

  [1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Juliet Goodfriend becomes chair of the board, and Samuel R. Scott becomes executive director and CEO.

• 2014

  Major renovation project completed

  [1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  BMFI celebrates the completion of a project that adds two theaters and renovates the existing screens.

• 2009

  Atrium restoration completed

  [1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  The skylit atrium is restored and classroom and accessibility improvements are added.

• 2006

  First restoration phase completed

  [1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Lobby, technical, infrastructure, café, and marquee improvements are completed.

• 2005

  The theater reopens

  [1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  BMFI reopens the venue in March, with Ben Kingsley attending the event.

• 2004

  BMFI purchases the theater

  [1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  The newly formed nonprofit acquires the Seville Theater after fundraising and zoning efforts.

• 2002

  Bryn Mawr Film Institute is formed

  [1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Local leaders establish BMFI after the national chain operating the Seville Theater enters bankruptcy.

• 1980

  Theater is divided into two screens

  [1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  The original one-screen venue is split into two auditoriums during the 1980s.

• 1926

  Seville Theater opens

  [1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  The building that later became BMFI's home opens as the single-screen Seville Theater, designed by architect William Harold Lee.

A nonprofit cultural cinema that combines diverse theatrical film programming with film education, historic-preservation work, and community engagement.

• Cinema programming · 2005

  Theatrical film exhibition

  BMFI presents a broad cinema program that includes foreign-language, independent, art-house, mainstream, repertory, and special-event films. Its selection reflects the institute's nonprofit cultural mission and gives local audiences access to films beyond the standard commercial multiplex offering.

• Education

  Film education

  Film education is a core BMFI activity. The institute works with area schools, offers film-studies courses for adults, and provides programming designed to develop film literacy and critical discussion in the local community.

• Youth education

  Summer filmmaking workshop

  This workshop gives high-school students an opportunity to learn filmmaking through a structured summer program. It extends BMFI's role from film exhibitor to hands-on arts educator.

• Local filmmaker exhibition

  Open Screen Mondays

  Open Screen Mondays provide area filmmakers with a public screening opportunity. The program supports local creative production and reinforces the institute's community-oriented identity.

• Community programs

  Community partnerships

  BMFI partners with community organizations and offers benefits to participating groups. These relationships broaden the theater's local reach and connect film programming with civic and organizational activity.

• 2004Community restoration fundraising

  Bryn Mawr · Philadelphia Main Line

  BMFI mobilized community donors and supporters to finance the conversion of the historic theater into a restored nonprofit cinema and education center.

  Outcome. Approximately $9 million was raised for the theater's transformation, according to the referenced account.

  Source
• 2002Save the Seville Theater campaign

  Bryn Mawr · Philadelphia Main Line

  Community leaders organized fundraising events, zoning appeals, and public support to prevent the Seville Theater from being lost after its national-chain owner entered bankruptcy.

  Outcome. The effort led to BMFI's formation and eventual purchase of the theater in 2004.

  Source

• 2017

  Change executive leadership structureOther

  Background

  After leading BMFI from its founding period, Juliet Goodfriend stepped down from day-to-day executive leadership.

  Action taken

  Goodfriend became board chair, while Samuel R. Scott became executive director and CEO.

  Aftermath

  The transition preserved Goodfriend's governance involvement while placing executive management with Scott.

  Source

• 2004

  Undertake a multistage historic renovationStrategy

  Background

  After acquiring the theater, BMFI needed to modernize the building while retaining its historic character and expanding its community uses.

  Action taken

  The institute implemented a three-phase restoration involving public areas, infrastructure, technical systems, educational facilities, accessibility improvements, and additional auditoriums.

  Aftermath

  The expanded and renovated facility was celebrated as complete on April 27, 2014.

  Overall restoration fundraising. Approximately $9 million raised (Restoration period through completion of the theater transformation)

  Source

• 2002

  Create a nonprofit community cinemaStrategy

  Background

  The Seville Theater faced uncertainty after the national chain that owned it declared bankruptcy.

  Action taken

  Local leaders formed BMFI to acquire, preserve, and operate the theater as an independent nonprofit institution.

  Aftermath

  BMFI purchased the venue in 2004 and reopened it in 2005.

  Source

• 2017

  Juliet Goodfriend moves from executive leadership to board chair[1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Goodfriend stepped down as president and executive director and assumed the role of board chair, while Samuel R. Scott became executive director and CEO.

• 2014

  Expanded theater renovation celebrated[1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  BMFI marked completion of its major renovation and expansion project, which added two auditoriums and renovated the two existing theaters.

• 2009

  Skylit atrium restoration and classroom improvements completed[1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The second restoration phase returned the skylit atrium toward its original appearance and added or improved educational and accessibility facilities.

• 2006

  Initial restoration phase reaches completion[1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The first phase of the theater's renovation concluded with lobby improvements, upgraded technical systems, infrastructure modernization, a café, and installation of a new marquee.

• 2005

  Bryn Mawr Film Institute reopens with Ben Kingsley in attendance[1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The restored organization reopened the theater in March 2005, with actor Ben Kingsley present for the event.

• 2004

  Bryn Mawr Film Institute acquires the Seville Theater[1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following fundraising and zoning efforts, BMFI purchased the historic theater and began its restoration as an independent nonprofit cinema.

• 2002

  Local leaders organize to save the Seville Theater after owner bankruptcy[1]Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy · Other

  The bankruptcy of the national chain operating the Seville Theater prompted local academic, business, and civic leaders to establish Bryn Mawr Film Institute and pursue preservation of the venue.

1. 1Bryn Mawr Film Instituteen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Bryn Mawr Film Institute official websitebrynmawrfilm.org