Since The Independent Picture House (IPH) opened its doors at 4237 Raleigh Street two years ago, it has quickly established itself as Charlotte’s premier place to see independent, arthouse, and foreign films. I remember when the IPH made its debut, there were those who feared that Charlotte would never support an arthouse cinema, but those cynics have been proven wrong. The IPH has not only succeeded in attracting film lovers to its three auditoriums, but it has demonstrated that there is sufficient demand to open an additional auditorium. In response to this demand, the IPH has just announced plans to expand its facility. When I heard this great news, I contacted Claire Lechtenberg, IPH’s Director of Development and Marketing, and asked her for more information. Here is what she sent to me:
The Independent Picture House was established in June 2022 and has been thriving since! The community has been coming out to support our regular programming, as well as our community events. IPH is the only nonprofit arthouse cinema with a mission to educate, engage, and enable the community through the power of film.
With less than two years of operations, our cinema has already begun bursting at the seams. With free events like our quarterly Community Impact Film Series, which touch on topics such as mental health, immigration, women’s health, and homelessness and special film series and screenings, along with private auditorium rentals for filmmakers, creatives, organizations, and other community members, IPH was already looking to eventually expand.
When it was shared that the space adjacent to the cinema was to be vacated, the cinema’s team seized the opportunity to expand with a fourth auditorium and a multipurpose event space. This addition allows IPH to expand within the mission to educate, engage, and enable the community through film, as well as the programs offered. IPH aims to add a Director of Education and Outreach to our team to help lead and coordinate courses that can be offered in the new space, like screenwriting courses.
The new auditorium will also be able to work as a flexible space for private renters that would like to perform works like poetry, comedy, plays, etc. By working with the artists in Charlotte, and lifting up the medium of film, we know the nonprofit cinema will continue to thrive.
We’re looking forward to having 4 screens at IPH along with a space for all movie buffs to connect with each other and discuss their favorite films.
I am very excited about this second chapter in the IPH’s continuing success story. I wish the IPH and its supporting organization, the Charlotte Film Society, all the best on their expansion plans. Storied Charlotte is fortunate the to be the home of the Independent Picture House.
