Bryn Mawr Film Institute

Bryn Mawr Film Institute (BMFI) is a nonprofit, community-supported movie theater and film education center located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, a suburb west of Philadelphia. Founded in 2002, BMFI was established through a community-driven effort to preserve and revitalize the historic Bryn Mawr Theater originally opened in 1926. The institute serves as a premier cultural institution dedicated to enriching, educating, and entertaining audiences through a diverse range of films and educational programs.

History

The origins of BMFI trace back to the desire of local community members, including successful business owner and Bryn Mawr College alumna Juliet Goodfriend, to save local historic cinemas and foster appreciation for film as an art form. Goodfriend, along with collaborators such as Patricia Wesley, a design expert who helped develop the institute’s communications and development strategies, spearheaded efforts to create a robust film institution. BMFI opened in the historic Seville Theatre, a 1926 Beaux Arts style building on Lancaster Avenue.

With guidance from cinema restoration experts like John Toner of Renew Theaters, BMFI became a fully self-sustaining nonprofit cinema within five years of its founding. The facility now draws nearly 200,000 patrons annually and boasts over 9,000 members.

Mission and Programming

BMFI’s mission centers on promoting shared experiences that entertain, engage, and educate. Its film programming is notable for its diversity, including independent, international, documentary, alternative, classic, and new release films. The institute regularly screens films in multiple formats, including digital, 35mm, and 70mm, offering a boutique movie-going experience that blends classic art house style with modern projection and sound technology.

Beyond screenings, BMFI hosts special events, such as filmmaker discussions, scholarly talks, and community film forums. It frequently features “Open Screen Mondays,” highlighting films from regional filmmakers and fosters connections through community partnerships.

Education

A cornerstone of BMFI is its robust educational programming. From its inception, the institute invested in original film studies curricula to deepen film literacy and appreciation. Its educational offerings include a full curriculum of film courses for all age groups, ranging from introductory classes like "The Language of Film" to advanced seminars on cinema classics. Instruction is provided by knowledgeable educators, aiming to cultivate a vibrant film culture and encourage critical engagement with cinema as both art and communication.

Facilities

BMFI occupies the historic Seville Theatre, a venue listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The theater features four screens equipped with state-of-the-art digital and analog projection systems and comfortable seating, providing an optimal environment for film viewing year-round.

By preserving a historic cinematic landmark and cultivating a dynamic cultural hub, Bryn Mawr Film Institute stands as a key institution in the Philadelphia region for film exhibition, education, and community engagement.