SIFF Cinema Downtown

SIFF Cinema Downtown is a landmark movie theater in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, Washington. The venue opened in 1963 as Seattle's Martin Cinerama, a purpose-built showcase for the three-panel Cinerama process. It was later adapted to present 70 mm films and became associated with large-scale spectacle films, including productions such as The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Although Cinerama and 70 mm presentations eventually declined as suburban multiplexes expanded, the theater survived in a diminished form, showing second-run films under a reduced-rent arrangement with Cineplex Odeon. The venue's most important revival began in the late 1990s. Plans to convert the deteriorating theater into another type of commercial or recreational space prompted a local preservation campaign. Microsoft co-founder and Seattle philanthropist Paul Allen, who had been a patron of the theater in its earlier years, acquired the property and funded a substantial restoration. The theater reopened in 1999 with a restored mid-century cinema aesthetic, modern projection and sound equipment, improved accessibility, and a large curved screen capable of displaying rare three-strip Cinerama films and 70 mm repertory titles. The restored auditorium had hundreds of seats and retained the architectural character of a grand single-screen movie palace while supporting both classic and contemporary programming. Additional upgrades followed. A 2010 renovation added digital projection, digital sound, three-dimensional presentation capability, a new screen, updated concessions, refreshed interiors, and new exterior signage. A further renovation in 2014 reduced seating to improve legroom and comfort, expanded the speaker system, introduced Dolby Atmos, and installed a Christie 6P dual-laser projector. The venue continued to distinguish itself through technically ambitious screenings, including 70 mm roadshows, restored classics, selected first-run films, and presentations using its three-panel Cinerama equipment. It was one of very few venues worldwide still capable of showing original three-strip Cinerama films. The theater closed for another renovation in February 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic then caused the closure to continue indefinitely, and the venue did not resume operations under the Seattle Cinerama name. A public campaign to preserve and reopen the theater collected more than 12,000 signatures. In May 2023, the estate associated with Paul Allen sold the theater to the Seattle International Film Festival, commonly known as SIFF. SIFF financed the acquisition through a loan from Far Star Ventures, with public support later provided by Seattle and King County grants for reopening work. Because of licensing and trademark issues surrounding the Cinerama name, the restored venue reopened as SIFF Cinema Downtown. A private premiere of The Boys in the Boat took place on December 7, 2023, followed by the public reopening on December 14 with Wonka. Under SIFF ownership, the venue serves both as a commercial cinema and as a cultural institution connected to the festival's year-round repertory, festival, specialty, and event programming. Its identity combines historic large-format exhibition with contemporary film releases, regional cultural programming, and preservation of an important part of Seattle's cinema heritage.

SIFF Cinema Downtown began in 1963 as Seattle's Martin Cinerama, created to exhibit the Cinerama three-projector process. The theater was soon modified to support 70 mm films, allowing it to present both three-panel spectacles and major widescreen productions. Early programming emphasized visual extravaganzas, but the commercial importance of these formats declined as audience habits changed and suburban multiplexes spread. During the following decades, the venue deteriorated and eventually operated primarily as a second-run theater under Cineplex Odeon on a month-to-month arrangement. The theater faced possible conversion in the late 1990s, when proposals included transforming it into a dinner theater or a rock-climbing facility. Local film enthusiasts organized petitions and public appeals to preserve the cinema. Paul Allen responded by acquiring the theater and financing a multimillion-dollar restoration. The 1999 reopening restored the building's mid-century movie-palace character and added updated projection, sound, and accessibility features. The venue retained a large curved screen for rare Cinerama and 70 mm presentations while using a smaller screen for ordinary modern screenings. Renovation work continued in 2010, adding digital projection and sound, three-dimensional presentation capability, a new screen, improved concessions, refreshed finishes, and upgraded exterior signage. The 2014 renovation focused on audience comfort and technical performance. Seating was reduced to provide more generous spacing, the sound system was expanded, Dolby Atmos was installed, and a Christie 6P dual-laser projector was added. These improvements reinforced the theater's role as a premium venue for both current releases and technically distinctive repertory screenings. The theater hosted Seattle International Film Festival events and other specialized programs over several decades. Its calendar included science-fiction and fantasy short-film programs, comic-con-related screenings and guest discussions, martial-arts film events, and recurring 70 mm festivals. It also became known for important presentations of films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Hateful Eight, Interstellar, Lawrence of Arabia, and restored or archival Cinerama titles. Its technical capabilities made it one of only a small number of venues worldwide able to present original three-strip Cinerama films. After Paul Allen's death in 2018, the theater closed in February 2020 for another renovation. Planned work included interior and kitchen improvements, but the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the expected reopening. In May 2020, the venue announced an indefinite closure. Community advocacy continued, including a 2021 petition that collected more than 12,000 signatures. The Allen estate sold the theater to the Seattle International Film Festival in May 2023. SIFF used financing from Far Star Ventures and received public grants from Seattle and King County to support the reopening. The building returned to operation in December 2023, but trademark and licensing considerations prevented continued use of the Cinerama name. The first private screening was The Boys in the Boat on December 7, followed by a public opening on December 14 featuring Wonka. The venue now operates as SIFF Cinema Downtown, combining mainstream theatrical exhibition with SIFF's festival, repertory, specialty, and cultural programming.

• 2023

  Acquisition by SIFF

  [1]SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org

  The Seattle International Film Festival acquired the theater from the Allen estate.

• 2023

  Reopening as SIFF Cinema Downtown

  [1]SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org

  The venue reopened publicly on December 14 under its current name after a private premiere earlier that month.

• 2020

  Closure during renovation and pandemic

  [1]SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org

  The venue closed for planned renovation work and then remained closed indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 2014

  Premium presentation upgrade

  [1]SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org

  A renovation reduced seating for comfort and introduced Dolby Atmos and a Christie 6P dual-laser projector.

• 2010

  Digital and facility renovation

  [1]SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org

  The theater added digital projection and sound, 3-D capability, a new screen, refreshed interiors, and updated concessions and signage.

• 1999

  Paul Allen restoration and reopening

  [1]SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org

  After acquiring the theater, Paul Allen funded a major restoration that returned it to operation with upgraded technology and accessibility.

• 1997

  Community preservation campaign

  [1]SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org

  Local film supporters organized to oppose proposed conversion of the deteriorating venue.

• 1976

  Begins hosting Seattle International Film Festival programming

  [1]SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org

  The theater became one of the venues associated with the annual Seattle International Film Festival.

• 1963

  Opening as Seattle's Martin Cinerama

  [1]SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org

  The Seattle theater opened as a venue dedicated to the three-panel Cinerama presentation format.

• 1963

  Conversion for 70 mm exhibition

  [1]SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org

  Within months of opening, the venue was adapted to show 70 mm films on its large curved screen.

A historic, premium movie theater and film-cultural venue combining contemporary theatrical releases with repertory cinema, 70 mm exhibition, festival programming, and specialized large-format presentation.

• Movie theater programming · 1963

  First-run theatrical exhibition

  The venue presents selected current commercial releases in a premium historic cinema setting. Its reopening program included Wonka, while earlier operation under the Cinerama identity included major studio releases and technically distinctive engagements.

• Large-format cinema · 1963

  70 mm film presentation

  70 mm exhibition has been part of the theater's identity since shortly after its opening. The venue has shown classic 70 mm films, contemporary roadshow presentations, restorations, and selected releases printed or enlarged for the format.

• Specialized film exhibition · 1963

  Three-panel Cinerama presentation

  The theater retains historical capability for original three-strip Cinerama presentations using a deep curved screen and multiple projection booths. Such screenings require specialized setup and are offered as archival or special-event presentations rather than routine programming.

• Cultural cinema programming · 1976

  Festival and repertory programming

  As a SIFF venue, the cinema supports festival screenings, repertory titles, genre showcases, premieres, filmmaker appearances, and other cultural events. This programming extends the venue beyond ordinary multiplex exhibition and connects it to Seattle's film community.

• 2023SIFF reopening initiative

  Seattle

  SIFF combined acquisition financing, private lending, and public grant support to restore the venue and return it to operation.

  Outcome. The theater reopened in December 2023 as SIFF Cinema Downtown.

  Source
• 2021Reopen the Cinerama petition

  Seattle

  Community supporters petitioned for the return of the closed theater after the pandemic-era shutdown.

  Outcome. The petition collected more than 12,000 signatures and contributed to continued public attention around reopening.

  Source
• 1997Save the Cinerama preservation campaign

  Seattle

  Local film enthusiasts circulated petitions and appealed publicly for preservation after proposals emerged to convert the theater to another use.

  Outcome. The campaign helped draw attention to the theater's cultural value before Paul Allen acquired and restored it.

  Source

• 2023

  SIFF acquires the theaterM&A

  Background

  The venue had remained closed since the pandemic and required a new operating and financing structure.

  Action taken

  The Seattle International Film Festival purchased the theater from the Allen estate for $4.5 million, using a loan from Far Star Ventures and planning to share future air-rights proceeds with the estate.

  Aftermath

  SIFF reopened the venue under a new name in December 2023 because of licensing issues involving the Cinerama trademark.

  Purchase price. $4.5 million (May 2023)

  Source

• 2023

  Adopt the SIFF Cinema Downtown nameStrategy

  Background

  SIFF planned to reopen the former Seattle Cinerama after acquiring it, but licensing and trademark considerations affected use of the former name.

  Action taken

  The venue reopened using the SIFF Cinema Downtown brand rather than continuing to operate as Seattle Cinerama.

  Aftermath

  The theater resumed operation as part of SIFF's year-round cinema network and cultural programming.

  Source

• 2014

  Upgrade to Dolby Atmos and dual-laser projectionGeneration change

  Background

  The theater undertook another renovation to improve comfort and technical performance.

  Action taken

  It reduced seating, expanded the speaker system, installed Dolby Atmos, and added a Christie 6P dual-laser projector.

  Aftermath

  The theater strengthened its position as a premium venue for technically demanding releases and special presentations.

  Source

• 1999

  Restore the theater as a premium historic cinemaStrategy

  Background

  The theater had declined after the loss of mainstream interest in Cinerama and 70 mm exhibition and faced possible conversion to another use.

  Action taken

  Paul Allen acquired the property and financed a comprehensive restoration combining historic design with modern projection, sound, and accessibility features.

  Aftermath

  The venue reopened in 1999 and developed a long-running identity centered on repertory, large-format, and selected first-run presentations.

  Source

1. 1SIFF Cinema Downtownen.wikipedia.org