I opened the Channelside in 2000 and the IMAX screen shortly after (in early 2001). It did start off as pure art as competition with the (then) Muvico 20 in Ybor (a few blocks away) was seen as too strong to compete with.
That slowly changed as we cultivated a family-friendly following at Channelside. Eventually, we began playing all films (art and mainstream). As IMAX began bringing big Hollywood pictures to their screens, we worked to promote Channelside as a destination for bigger than life event films (including hosting giant convention-style lobby events around the release of big movies).
Shortly after I left the build in 2004, the management contract was changed and a progression of owners/managers tried all sorts of non-traditional ideas to make it work (including ice shop, pizza parlor, bar, club bookings, etc).
In 2014, the Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF) is working to open her back up for their March 2015 festival event. This group specializes in pop-up venues, so this will NOT be a re-opening, but simply a single event. Even so, it will be good to see the old girl up and running (even if only for a single weekend).
I opened the Channelside in 2000 and the IMAX screen shortly after (in early 2001). It did start off as pure art as competition with the (then) Muvico 20 in Ybor (a few blocks away) was seen as too strong to compete with.
That slowly changed as we cultivated a family-friendly following at Channelside. Eventually, we began playing all films (art and mainstream). As IMAX began bringing big Hollywood pictures to their screens, we worked to promote Channelside as a destination for bigger than life event films (including hosting giant convention-style lobby events around the release of big movies).
Shortly after I left the build in 2004, the management contract was changed and a progression of owners/managers tried all sorts of non-traditional ideas to make it work (including ice shop, pizza parlor, bar, club bookings, etc).
In 2014, the Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF) is working to open her back up for their March 2015 festival event. This group specializes in pop-up venues, so this will NOT be a re-opening, but simply a single event. Even so, it will be good to see the old girl up and running (even if only for a single weekend).