No Winter Film Series, But Greenport Theatre Will Open Next Year

GREENPORT, NY — With the fate of so many movie theaters on the East End mired in uncertainty, there's good news in Greenport: The Greenport movie theater will open again next season.

However, due to the pandemic and social distancing restrictions, a popular winter film series presented by Tony Spiridakis and Lisa Gillooly of the Manhattan Film Institute, won't be back this year.

Recently, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that movie theaters could reopen on Long Island at 25 percent capacity, with social distancing and other guidelines.

According to Spiridakis, proceeding with caution is paramount during the pandemic.

"We're heading into a winter where we don't want to be part of the problem," he said. It wasn't an easy decision to make, Spiridakis added. "We're so sad about it."

But those who love the theater can take heart; the space will open again next season. Josh Sapan, owner of the theater and CEO of AMC Networks, shed light and hope on the future for those who savor the experience of the cinema.

"There is magic at the movies," Sapan said. "Home screens are wonderful but nothing can replace the 'Cinema Paradiso' of sitting in a dark theater with people of one's community. The theater plans to open next season."

He added that he was "sorry to say that the extraordinary Tony Spiridakis and team are not planning free movies this winter due to the pandemic."

But, Sapan added: "We will light up the marquee to try to help keep spirits up."

Spiridakis, too, said the focus is on the future. Next year, plans are already in motion for the return of the Manhattan Film Institute's two-week summer Gold Program and its International Short Film Festival, along with the free winter movie series at the Greenport theater

The Greenport theater, Spiridakis said, is a symbol of home even during the darkest of days of coronavirus. He thanked Sapan, who purchased the theater in 2014 as a personal project close to his heart.

"Josh has been our champion," Spiridakis said. "He sees what we see, which is that the movie theater is the center of a village. It really does bring us together in a way that we really need right now."

While all are disheartened that the doors will remain closed over the winter, Spiridakis said it's important to focus on hope.

"The thing we have to hold onto is that we are going to come back, and we are going to be better than ever," he said.

Already, MFI's 2021 start dates are being finalized, Spiridakis said. Going into MFI's tenth year, Spiridakis thanked Terry Keefe and his mother Jean Burden for "giving us a home at the Silver Sands Motel, along with Brecknock Hall and Peconic Landing."

And, again, he thanked Sapan for his vision: "Josh Sapan was kind enough to allow MFI to bring the free Winter Film Series to the historic Greenport theater. We are extremely hopeful that next year we can continue providing film and education to the Greenport community."

Meanwhile, the marquee of the Greenport theater has a message that resonates as all wait for next season, and better days ahead: "Greenport: Six feet apart. Standing together."