Lismore’s Cinema sits on the corner of Keen and Zadoc Streets, looking sad and unloved. 

The owners, Event Cinemas, have shown little interest in restoring so Lismore movie lovers can once again have a short commute to see a movie. There hasn't been much movement in or out of the theatre since the cleanup after the 2022 floods.

The cinema's official line at the beginning of this year has been that an update is coming in the next couple of months.  

In September, their response to questions was, “We are continuing to explore our options for Event Cinemas Lismore, and we hope to provide the local community with an update in the coming months.”

Those months go on and on.

Interest by the community in seeing it re-established has been expressed on socials, and State MP Janelle Saffin put it to them in a discussion recently, “I spoke with them and was again assured that they would inform us of their intentions. I asked that it be before Christmas. I also detailed how people miss it very much.”

With the summer season upon us, the loss of the big cinema is an opportunity to explore other entertainment options.

The Nimbin Bush Theatre is located in the old Norco Buttery, built-in 1929 on the banks of Nimbin Creek; it is set in a beautiful garden.  

David Hyett is the owner and runs it as a place for a variety of functions. “It's fairly sizable. It's licensed for 300 people for functions and dance parties and 135 seated to watch a screen or stage performance.

“People can use utilise both inside and out. We have a cafe that can cater for private functions, a kitchen for people to use if they prefer that. The cafe opens in conjunction with an event.

Recent viewings include documentary-style films, but David is excited to announce that they are putting together a Movie Club. “We're looking at forming a film or movie club. So that people can contribute to the ideas of what they want to see.”

David is still working out the details, but information will be on their website in the next week or so.

The art deco-styled Star Court Theatre was built over 100 years ago in 1921. They feature a range of films and on-stage shows you can see. Sarah-Jane Loxton, proprietor, shows current films from around the world. 

Sarah-Jane has been at the Star Court Theatre for over seven years and loves her role. “I get to travel all over the world through the screen. It's quite awesome, really.” 

The pick up since Event Cinema closed was not immediate, ”I think it's taken a little while for people to catch on that there is still an option here for movies, and because we don't do the great big mainstream films.

“I think people are starting to realise that there still is a good range of films to see, so it's definitely growing.”

Star Court is available for hire, and a group called Cult Classic Lismore show some older popular films that you can get tickets for. “We're having a great turnout for that because they're picking really good favourites”. In December, they have arranged Clockwork Orange, and in January, Goonies is showing.  

“With some of the films, like the cult classics, we might run with a bit of a theme - maybe a couple of decorations. With Dirty Dancing (last month), I put a bunch of baby dolls in the corners.”

The other difference to bear in mind is that there are three movie trailers before the movie starts - no ads. “For some people who are used to the other cinemas, they often would turn up late, thinking that they're not going to miss anything, but we start everything pretty close to on time.”

(The magic show is coming in January)

Over the summer period, there will be a range of shows, not just cinema. “We've got the Life of Brian with a small, 20-minute Monty Python style comedy performance before it on 6th December. The skit is being done by a Byron theatre group, Three Lords.

“We've got a small open mic comedy night, in the bar on the 19th of December for Christmas, high school kids from Theatre doing a show next weekend, and an illusionist coming in January.”

Kyogle Cinema is owned by Richard and Cheryl Harris. It runs most of the mainstream films offered by other large-name cinema brands and is the newest theatre, starting in 1999. Ironically, it has some of the oldest projectors in it… With good reason.

A film buff started the theatre and left the place with a huge collection of cinema paraphernalia that provides an incredible snapshot into the history of filmmaking.

“The original owner, Stuart Everett, was a collector, and he collected for many, many years.”

When he passed away, his children kept it all stored away, and when they sold it to the Harris’, the collection was sold with it.

Richard and Cheryl have done a lot of work to upgrade the cinemas and include Mr Everett's treasures, “We completely renovated cinema three, which was just a storage area, that now is a museum that houses the film collection.

“It is a nice little 40-seat cinema that is part of the museum, in which we run a documentary on old films - like how 35-millimeter projectors came about. People view that and can then see the actual projectors and hand-painted slides and things.”

Kyogle Cinema has started offering Devonshire tea as part of the Cinema 3 experience, with a documentary on the Queen's visit in the '50’s.  

“The Queen's visit is proving to be very popular, and quite often we get someone attend that was actually there.”

After the big renovation, the cinema ran into a hiccup. Or rather a cough?

“We opened on the 29th of February, and COVID hit about two weeks later.”

That was a tough business battle, but recently, things have improved.

“The fact that Lismore closed was beneficial to us. And likewise, when Murwillimbah closed recently, that's increased our turnover again. So we've gone from strength to strength.”

As well as the two theatres that show the mainstream films, you can book Cinema 3 and hold a private event or film showing.  

Keep an eye out on these options with the links below;

Kyogle Cinema has all their films and information on how to book Cinema 3 on their website

The Nimbin Bush Theatre keep people informed via their website

At the Star Court Theatre, show times and bookings are on their website.

If you are interested in knowing what the next Cult Classic Lismore flick is, check out their Facebook page.