Film Society exit... stage left

Whanganui Film Society and the Embassy 3 Cinema in Victoria Ave have parted company. PHOTO/FILE

Whanganui Film Society is on the move after being told it was no longer wanted at Embassy 3 Cinemas.

The society, which started in March and has more than 200 members - making it the third-largest film society in New Zealand - will spend the remainder of its 2013 season at the Davis Lecture Theatre, starting on September 9.

Society president Helen-Marie O'Connell said Embassy manager Gary Vinnell had told her they could no longer hold screenings there because the theatre would be closed on Mondays.

But Mr Vinnell told the Wanganui Chronicle that was not the case.

"I did consider closing the theatre on Mondays but, after talking with staff and patrons, I think it's unlikely."

He had thought the film society screenings would be "mutually beneficial" to the society and the Embassy, but he had been disappointed.

"The film society is costing us money. It was hard to schedule movies around them, so there's an audience we have to recapture."

Miss O'Connell said she was looking forward to the change in venue.

"With over 200 members now, we have outgrown the 130-seat cinema that we were allocated at the Embassy. The extra capacity at the Davis Lecture Theatre will accommodate us well."

She said the Whanganui Region Museum had made improvements to the theatre, with new seating and a BluRay player.

"Many of our remaining films can now be projected on BluRay, so the quality of the image will be excellent."

Miss O'Connell said three of the remaining movies for the year would have to be shown on Tuesdays instead of Mondays because of existing bookings at the lecture theatre.

For more information see www.whanganuifilmsociety.org.nz.