Globe Cinema sale could signal a cultural shift in Calgary’s developing film industry
Many in Calgary’s film industry are worried about the potential sale of another iconic downtown theatre, and what it could mean for the local arts scene.
Owners of the Globe Cinema are currently trying to find a buyer.
The venue, which has for decades hosted more independent and small-scale films, is seen as a cultural hub and the last of its kind in Calgary.
“We’ve basically made the Globe our home,” said Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF) head Brenda Lieberman. “We just can’t visualize where and how the festival would look if it wasn’t here.”
That could eventually be a conversation that’s had.
Lieberman believes a sale isn’t imminent, but eventually, the Globe will be flipped. And if it is, it wouldn’t be the first loss of an independent cinema space in Calgary.
Some old theatres — like the one in Eau Claire — are being torn down for housing and transit. Others — like the Grand or Palace Theatre — were turned from exclusively-cinema spots into multi-use event spaces.
Some old theatres — like the one in Eau Claire — are being torn down for housing and transit. Others — like the Grand or Palace Theatre — were turned from exclusively-cinema spots into multi-use event spaces.
That’s left the film industry somewhat behind.
“These spaces leave and they don’t come back,” Calgary International Film Festival acting executive director Katherine Penhale said. “Without these spaces, we’re going to have a tough time promoting content in Alberta and Alberta content.”
CIFF has also utilized the Globe chairs for a long time.
Next year, it’ll be moving venues to a to-be-announced location. Penhale says the fest will miss the atmosphere of the Globe.
“Overall, downtown screening capacity in Calgary is facing a pretty existential risk,” she told CTV News. “Whoever buys it — be it an angel investor or a private corporation — unless they have a mandate of creating accessibility for local creators and local festivals, we’re going to be a bit hamstrung. Right now, all our cinematic-ready spaces are exclusively privately owned, so that means we’re at the whims of business.”
The good news? Both CUFF and CIFF representatives believe the current building owner isn’t in a rush to sell the still-profitable building.
CTV News reached out to Riley’s Enterprise Solutions for more information about the sale.
As of publishing, we haven’t heard back.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
BREAKING Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.
A look back on Alberta's record-breaking wildfire season: Preparing for potential challenges in 2024
By the end of the 2023 wildfire season in Alberta, 1,088 wildfires had burned more than 2.2 million hectares of land, and this year, the wildfire season is already in full swing.
Person charged in random assault on actor Steve Buscemi in New York
A person wanted in connection with the random assault on actor Steve Buscemi on a New York City street earlier this month was taken into custody Friday, police said.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
Video appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs beating singer Cassie in hotel hallway in 2016
Security video aired by CNN appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.
Anglers reel in 3.5-metre-long tiger shark off coast of Florida: 'She found my bait'
A group of fishers said it took roughly 20 minutes to reel in this 3.5-metre-long tiger shark off the coast of Florida.