The Paramount Theatre has been part of the Kamloops entertainment scene since 1955, and the Kamloops Film Society (KFS) and the Kamloops Museum and Archives are both celebrating the theatre’s 70th anniversary during a special weekend from April 11 to 13.
On Friday, April 11 the theatre will host a panel discussion, “Celebrating 70 Years at the Paramount,” starting at 7:30 p.m. The free event will feature a discussion looking at the theatre’s history and cultural impact on Kamloops. It will be followed at 8:15 p.m. by a free screening of Your Cinema Needs You, a documentary on the importance of community cinemas.
On Saturday, April 12 there will be a screening of the classic 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause, while on Sunday, April 13 the Paramount will host a free open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Celebrate with cake and refreshments, explore the rich history of Kamloops’ movie theatres, get your picture taken with KFS mascot Gaffer, view a display detailing the history of the Paramount, and take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the theatre.
Also on April 13, you can enjoy a big screen showing of the classic 1955 Disney animated feature Lady and the Tramp (3 p.m.). A second screening of Your Cinema Needs You will take place at 3:15 p.m.
On April 11 the Kamloops Museum and Archives, in collaboration with the KFS, will debut “Wide Angle,” a brand-new exhibition highlighting Kamloops’ place in film history. The exhibition explores the city’s role on the big screen and the many ways it has been captured on film, and celebrates the stories, landscapes, and cinematic moments that have shaped Kamloops’ film legacy.
“Wide Angle” kicks off with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 11 at the Kamloops Museum and Archives (207 Seymour Street) which is open to all. The exhibition runs through Sept. 27, 2025.
“Cinema has long been a vital part of our community’s cultural fabric, shaping our stories, bringing us together, and inspiring new generations,” says KFS executive director Colette Abbott. “This exhibit is a wonderful way to celebrate the wider history of film in our region while also recognizing the role that spaces like the Paramount play in shaping our cultural identity.”
“The Kamloops Museum and Archives is delighted to collaborate with the Kamloops Film Society in marking this special occasion of the Paramount Theatre’s 70th anniversary,” says museum supervisor Julia Cyr. "We seek to highlight the historical and present-day significance of local film and filmmakers in Kamloops, and the power of film in our everyday lives.”
The Paramount Theatre is operated by the Kamloops Film Society, a charitable organization which has been operating for 50 years but which officially incorporated as a society in 1994. In 2019 Landmark Cinemas closed the Paramount and sold the land, building, and theatre equipment to the Kelson Group, putting the future of the film society’s longtime home in doubt. However, the Kelson Group now leases the venue to the KFS, allowing them to continue their operations.
