In 1999, a handful of local movie-lovers had a challenging idea: to bring quality film to Old Town Winchester. They established themselves as a non-profit group – Springboard Cultural Arts – and the Magic Lantern Theater project was born. Springboard Cultural Arts is a wholly volunteer, federal tax-exempt organization under Section (501)(c)(3).

Magic Lantern screened its first film in 2001. As Robert Frost might say, the theater has been like ice on a hot stove, skating on its own steam ever since. It has become a fixture of downtown cultural life with over 250 dues-paying members, individual and business. Currently, we show one or two feature-length films a month. Our aim is to provide a variety of film experiences to the community of the Winchester area while enhancing the life of the city’s historic downtown. This can mean giving contemporary Oscar winners their Winchester big screen premieres; bringing neighbors together for outdoor family shows; partnering with other local community groups, and; supporting regional filmmakers and videographers.

We believe that, even in this day of Netflix and Blockbusters, there is still a market for fine cinema seen on a large screen with an audience of fellow film enthusiasts.  In the long-term, Magic Lantern seeks the establishment of a permanent facility in Old Town Winchester. While working in that direction, the theater will continue to offer an expanding schedule of great cinema in borrowed spaces. To carry out this mission as a community-based, wholly volunteer organization, we rely on our membership and cooperating businesses for financial and volunteer support. Click on becoming a member or business support to learn more about opportunities in these areas.