For Allyson West, stepping into stewardship of the nearly 90‑year‑old Mariemont Theatre is both an act of preservation and a bold investment in the future of film culture. Under the care of Cindependent, the historic cinema is poised to evolve from a beloved neighborhood landmark into a year‑round cultural hub—one that honors legacy while creating space for community connection, independent filmmakers, and shared storytelling experiences to thrive.
Allyson, Cindependent is stepping into stewardship of the nearly 90-year-old Mariemont Theatre — can you share what this moment represents for you, the organization, and the Cincinnati film community?
This is a meaningful moment for all of us. The Mariemont Theatre holds decades of shared memories for the community, and stepping into stewardship is about protecting that legacy while ensuring it remains vibrant for future generations. For Cindependent, it represents a natural evolution of our work – creating spaces where audiences and storytellers can connect year-round. For Cincinnati’s film community, it signals long-term investment in film culture and shared creative experiences.
What drew Cindependent to take on the responsibility of preserving and programming a historic neighborhood cinema, and how does this expand your mission beyond the annual film festival?
Our mission has always been about strengthening storytelling and audience access. The festival is a major part of that, but sustainable film culture requires year-round gathering spaces. The Mariemont Theatre allows film to live daily – through screenings, community events, filmmaker engagement, and educational opportunities. It expands our work from a single annual event into a permanent home for film and shared storytelling experiences.
How do you plan to balance honoring the theatre’s legacy while introducing new, community-driven programming and opportunities for independent filmmakers?
We begin by respecting what the theatre already means to the community. Our goal is to preserve its identity as a trusted film destination while thoughtfully expanding programming. That includes filmmaker conversations, curated series, partnerships, and special events that invite broader community participation. Legacy and innovation can exist together, and we want longtime patrons and new audiences to feel equally welcomed.
You mentioned this reflects a broader trend of communities sustaining local theaters — what do you think independent film organizations uniquely bring to keeping theatrical moviegoing relevant today?
Independent film organizations exist because we believe storytelling deserves to be experienced together. We champion films, we look for audience connection, and we build spaces where stories spark conversation, community, and shared understanding. We program with purpose, pairing films with live events, filmmaker conversations, and community partnerships that turn moviegoing into a shared experience. At a time when gathering spaces are disappearing, this work is essential to protecting the relevance, magic, and power of seeing stories unfold together.
Looking ahead, what impact do you hope the Mariemont Theatre will have as a cultural hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and the surrounding neighborhood?
We believe the Mariemont Theatre can become one of Cincinnati’s most dynamic cultural gathering spaces – a place where storytelling connects generations, creative voices are amplified, and the community actively shapes the arts it wants to experience. By pairing preservation with innovation, we are building a cinema that honors its history while expanding what a neighborhood theatre can be. Our vision is for the Mariemont Theatre to stand as a national example of how communities can sustain and reinvent historic cinemas together.
