History

The Loft was originally located near the University of Arizona on Sixth Street and Fremont Ave. When it was first built in 1938, the building served as a meeting place for Mormon students. During the late 50s, Playbook Community Theater took ownership of the building and started showing pornographic films. Under new management in 1972, The Loft Cinema became an art house again, becoming a home for independent and foreign films. Two years later, its owner Joseph Esposito moved the theater to its current location on 3233 E Speedway, and rebranded to The Loft Cinema. Esposito sold the theater in 2002 to the Tucson Cinema Foundation, turning the Loft Cinema into a nonprofit organization. A year later, Tucson Weekly gave The Loft its first "Best of Tucson" award, which it has kept ever since. With the help of more than 3,000 members, The Loft has grown into an appreciated center for independent and international films, special screenings, film festivals, sing-alongs, and guest speakers, solidifying its status as a Tucson cultural institution.

Overview

The Loft Cinema is a nonprofit, community-driven movie theater dedicated to showcasing the art and diversity of film. Unlike traditional theaters such as AMC or Cinemark, The Loft offers a carefully curated selection of independent, foreign, documentary, and classic films. Since its founding, it has been committed to bringing unique and thought-provoking cinema to Tucson audiences, earning the title of Best of Tucson every year since 2003, as voted by Tucson Weekly readers. The Loft does not just screen movies, it fosters an inclusive space for film lovers to experience stories that might not otherwise reach major theaters. Their lineup includes everything from contemporary indie films to cult classics, along with community-driven screenings that highlight student and locally made films.

In addition to its cinema programming, The Loft is recognized for its immersive and participatory events. It frequently conducts movie nights with a theme, sing-alongs, and screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which make watching movies a social activity. Additionally, the theater regularly hosts Q&A sessions with directors and filmmakers, giving viewers an opportunity to interact directly with the people who made the movies. The Loft frequently hosts film screenings and audience discussions that welcome recognized film makers, as well as smaller ones that otherwise would not have a voice. These discussions connect Tucson's film community with international filmmakers and offer deeper insights into the filmmaking process.

With movie experiences that surpass those found in traditional theaters, The Loft Cinema has grown to become a vital part of Tucson's cultural scene. It has become a cherished institution for local moviegoers thanks to its goal statement, "Building a community by celebrating the art and diversity of film." The theater's loyal audiences, who see its worth as more than just a movie theater, but also as an important platform for filmmakers, artists, and storytellers, are the reason it is still thriving today.

Film Events/Festivals

The Loft Cinema has always included many events and festivals continually that aim towards a different agenda that attracts a wide audience. On their website, they include a list of events that they hold under their signature series. This includes Cult Classics, Essential Cinema, First Friday Shorts that are presented by Mother Road Brewing Company, Loft Jr, Loft Kids Festival, Loft Solar Cinema, Loft Staff Selects, Loft Film Festival, Loft Member Screenings, Mondo Mondays, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Science on Screen. They also recently included three new events due to the Covid-19 pandemic which are Open Air Cinema, Streaming Releases and virtual showing of the Loft Short Film Festival. These events cater to people's liking while also benefiting the Tucson community. The Loft is also well known for their contributions to the community. With the help of community partners The Loft Cinema is able to host fundraisers, charity events and educational programs at their venue

The Loft contributes to the community and raises awareness about different issues by the performance of the Loft Solar Cinema. Partnered with Technicians for Sustainability, The Loft has outfitted a van with solar panels that power the car as well as the projector that the car holds. The van is used to essentially have a drive-in theater on the go. Any 20 foot wall can be used as a screen and the projector, powered by the solar panels, can screen multiple films back to back. This effort was done to encourage individuals to learn more about solar panels. Solar power, especially in the state of Arizona, is sadly underutilized as a source of renewable energy. This van concept was made with the intention to help educate those who are not aware of how solar panels work. To explain that solar panels can store energy and do not require the sun to be actively on them to work, many of these screenings are done at night time. Just another way that The Loft is attempting to educate and improve the community while entertaining its audience too.

Another example is the children's film festival. Much like their standard Loft Film Festival, the children's film festival is a collection of films that are featured throughout the course of a day. The children's festival is a great opportunity for younger audience members to try the festival experience. A really popular event the Loft includes is their variation of a Halloween bine-watching scary movie marathon. This usually lasts until 7pm to 7am the next day. People can dress in costumes or in their pajamas and they offer you Halloween themed snacks and beverages. They usually have this event in their main theater room therefore it gets pretty packed with people but is also a very fun event to experience.

</div>

Community

With a varied film selection, The Loft Cinema hopes to captivate every viewer and inspire them to take an active role in Tucson's film culture. They show a broad range of movies, including independent productions, classics, and debuts by up-and-coming filmmakers. Additionally, the theater updates its audience about upcoming film festivals, special events, and special student screenings. The Loft often interacts with the public by maintaining an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For paying members, they can receive first hard news through emails and physical mail sent to their address. Even if they update once or twice a day across all platforms, the content is consistent, guaranteeing that visitors are provided with clear, accurate, and updated information.

Beyond its film screenings, The Loft serves as a valuable platform for young and emerging filmmakers. On the first Friday of every month, the theater hosts a short film contest, offering participants a chance to submit their work for a public screening. Hosted by local radio personality Bridgitte Thum, this event provides an important opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their talent, receive feedback, and gain exposure in a way that is rare in today’s film industry. To maximize participation, The Loft actively promotes these contests across its website and social media platforms, ensuring that filmmakers have access to a broad audience.

In addition to these ongoing opportunities, The Loft further strengthens its relationship with the University of Arizona by hosting an end-of-semester showcase for graduating film students. This event allows students to present their senior films and projects on the theater’s main screen, giving them an invaluable opportunity to share their work with the public in a professional setting. By providing this platform for young artists, The Loft continues to play a crucial role in fostering Tucson’s creative community and ensuring that independent voices in film have a place to be seen and heard.

Coronavirus

The Loft Cinema faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but managed to maintain its operations by adjusting to social distancing measures. The cinema introduced the Open Air Cinema, where movies were screened outside the building with limited seating and mask enforcement. They also continued streaming new film releases through a digital theater, allowing customers to watch from home. Roadside concessions became available for safe pickup on weekends. The cinema began asking the community for donations while maintaining safety measures. Despite the pandemic, The Loft Cinema remained loyal to its members and their movie experiences, promoting independent films and focusing on maintaining safety through their continued efforts to keep the theater running. The Loft Cinema's commitment to providing safe and enjoyable experiences for its customers remains a top priority even during hard times.

Future Plans

The Loft Cinema has launched the Campaign for The Loft Cinema, a major renovation and expansion project designed to enhance accessibility, improve the movie-going experience, and establish its role as a cultural hub for Tucson. Set to be completed by summer 2025, the project focuses on modernizing the theater while preserving its community-driven spirit.

Key upgrades include a new lobby space that provides seamless access to all screens, concessions, and restrooms, as well as the addition of a fourth indoor screen with flexible seating arrangements. The outdoor screening area will become a permanent open-air theater, and a new rooftop bar will offer a gathering space. Screen 2 is also getting a full renovation with luxury seating to elevate the viewing experience.

A major focus of the campaign is accessibility. The Loft is installing an elevator to the second floor, automatic door openers, and new ramps for wheelchair users, ensuring that all visitors can comfortably navigate the theater. These improvements reflect The Loft Cinema's commitment to inclusivity and making cinema accessible to everyone in the community.

The theater is also revamping its concessions, introducing a locally sourced menu and new job opportunities. Despite the ongoing construction, The Loft remains open, continuing to bring diverse and independent films to Tucson audiences. These renovations not only modernize the facility but also strengthen its mission of building a welcoming space for film lovers, artists, and the greater Tucson community.

As a nonprofit art house, The Loft Cinema relies on community support to sustain its mission. Their website, and occasionally their social media accounts, list various ways for people to contribute, whether by becoming a member, donating, sponsoring events, or volunteering.