By Isabella Echevarría
On this GivingTuesday we want to highlight all the ways people can support local and independent businesses! With the holiday season upon us, there is no sweeter gift than sharing the joy of independent cinema with those you love. Here are a few ways you can support the theater:
- Make a donation: On Thanksgiving, the IPH’s newest and largest auditorium opened its doors to the public! You can support the expansion and help IPH raise the remaining $71,000 it needs to cover the facility’s expansion by becoming a Take-A-Seat: Encore donor, make a tax-deductible gift to the general expansion campaign, or contribute to IPH’s annual operations and programming needs. All gifts support Charlotte’s only nonprofit community cinema.
- Come watch a movie and treat yourself to some delicious concessions: If you’re looking for the perfect date night, group outing, or a relaxing day by yourself, catching a movie at IPH is the best way to do so! The theater’s delicious popcorn comes in a variety of sizes, and you can indulge in a glass of wine of craft beer. Other snacks and soft drinks are also available, so there’s something for everyone.
- Shop for some merch: What better way to spread the word about a local business than by wearing some of their awesome merch? The IPH has a variety of items for sale including shirts, hats, pins, and buttons! Most recently to celebrate their second anniversary the IPH released an exclusive shirt celebrating all the movies they played during their second year.
- Become a member: Annual memberships are one of the best ways to support the IPH and contribute to its success. There are different tiers at different price levels from “Supporting Cast” to “Cinema Circle” (silver, gold, and platinum). The cinema also offers Senior Memberships for visitors who are 65+ and students (with a valid student ID) can become Supporting Cast members at no charge. Students just need to activate their free membership at IPH during their next visit.
- Buy a gift card or gift a membership: If you’re looking for a way to directly support the cinema, buying a gift card or giving a membership to a friend or family member is a great way to share and pass along the love of film with those around you!
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Lillian Parker, who has chosen to give an IPH membership this Holiday Season!
How did you learn about The Independent Picture House? What was your first experience inside the cinema like?
“I learned about The Independent Picture House back in 2022 before the facility formally opened. I live in NoDa close to Sugar Creek and could see construction underway when I drove over the Sugar Creek bridge. I’ve always enjoyed indie movie theaters and supporting local arts, so I was pumped about IPH coming into being! My first visit to the theater, I was struck by how colorful and energetic the front lobby space is. The first film I saw was screened in the microcinema, which is an intimate and cozy space for big-screen viewing – almost like watching at home if you had all the A/V perks of the movie theater! I’d never been in a theater like it before.”
Who are you gifting a membership to this Holiday season?
“I’m giving one of my best friends an IPH membership.”
There are a number of ways to support the IPH such as donations, gift cards, and merch. What made you want to give an IPH membership?
“My friend and I have visited IPH together numerous times and always leave excitedly discussing what we want to see next. I thought an IPH membership would make the perfect experiential gift that he can enjoy all year long. Now, he has every reason to go to the movies with me and to take other friends and loved ones with him, too!”
Are you a frequent visitor at IPH? What do you think the recipient of the membership will enjoy the most?
“I don’t frequent IPH as often as I’d like. I’m hopeful that by becoming a member and gifting one of my friends a membership, I’ll be better encouraged to go to the movies more and to stay plugged in with showings, programs and events that IPH hosts. It’s always worth the visit. I think my friend will most enjoy viewing new movies in a local space that’s full of character, as opposed to going to a big-box theater. It feels good to support local.”