Frameline — Oldest Queer Film Festival on Earth — Calls APE Revised Seating Plan “Exciting” and “Sightlines Ideal for Film”
30 January 2023 – San Francisco, CA: Following a year of public input and intense planning to ensure not only sightlines ideal for film, but seating and improvements to increase ADA and other accessibilities, the plans for the renovation, restoration and revitalization of the historic and LGBTQ iconic Castro Theatre by Bay Area company Another Planet Entertainment (www.apeconcerts.com) have been endorsed by the Frameline International Film Festival (www.frameline.org): one of the largest and most prestigious LGBTQ cultural institutions on earth, the world’s oldest queer film festival, and prime user of the historic venue.
“Frameline looks forward to screening at the Castro Theatre every June – it will always be our home,” said James Woolley Executive Director of Frameline. “The improvements to accessibility for all audiences, especially our many customers with disabilities, are very exciting. In addition we appreciate a new HVAC system. The seats retain sightlines ideal for film and the prototype seats we sampled are comfortable and secure. The importance of regularly premiering new queer cinema at the Castro Theatre for both the queer community, and our rising queer filmmakers remains at the core of our ability to fulfill our mission. We feel that these latest proposed revisions to the seating will help ensure Frameline’s home remains at the Castro for years to come.”
In recent days, Another Planet released revised plans after listening to input from the film community. The updated plans include an innovative mechanized floor that will allow the Castro to retain a raked floor for film events, then also convert to a flat and tiered profile for concerts and other special events.
(see the video presentation at the link below).
https://castrotheatre.com/castro-theatre-preservation/
“There would be no Castro Theatre without the Frameline LGBTQ International Film Festival,” said Mary Conde, senior Vice President for Another Planet. “For the last many months, we have been grateful for their wisdom, input and support. We can’t wait to welcome Frameline into a renovated Castro Theatre.“
Another Planet assumed management and programming of the historic landmark Castro Theatre in January 2022, with a commitment to fully restore the venue to its original Timothy Pflueger magnificence. The theatre was opened in 1922, built by the local Nasser family who still owns the complex.
