About the RPL Film Theatre

Our Story

The RPL Film Theatre screens the best of world cinema – up to 15 films a month. The Film Theatre has something for everyone and is the only cinema in the city to consistently present critically-acclaimed new releases and repertory cinema, including:

• Canadian and world cinema
• Experimental and arthouse films
• Documentaries
• Cult favourites
• Cinema classics, including restorations

RPL Film Theatre also presents monthly events like Talkies (where comedian Jayden Pfeifer and friends provide hilarious live commentary on less-than-excellent films) and Independent Visions (which features the very best in experimental cinema), and hosts exciting film festivals, special events like Foodie Film Night, and the wildly popular Cannes Advertising Awards.

For more than 50 years, Regina Public Library (RPL) has played a pivotal role in the cultural life of the city of Regina and surrounding areas. In the mid-60s, interest in a permanent venue for film enthusiasts grew into a program at the Library – a co-operative effort between the local Film Council and the National Film Board of Canada. A landmark year for the cultural, multi-cultural and surrounding business communities was 1975, the year the RPL Film Theatre was officially launched.

Of course, another compelling reason for the RPL Film Theatre’s appeal over the decades is its location in the heart of Regina’s vibrant downtown. As one of the many attractions in the city, RPL Film Theatre draws an audience that is often comprised of out-of-town visitors. Economic spin-off benefits from the Film Theatre’s broad audience are highly visible: shared patronage with business and cultural groups stimulates the economy as it adds vitality to the city.

Follow the RPL Film Theatre on Facebook at RPL Film Theatre for all the greatest updates on movies.

What's new at RPL Film Theatre

We made some changes at the RPL Film Theatre this past spring. 

The number of customers attending RPL Film Theatre screenings had decreased since 2012, and in 2017 our attendance was almost half what it used to be.

This decline was a concern – we believe in the mandate of the film theatre, and of its place in Regina’s cultural scene.

We wanted to inspire a love of world and independent cinema in our community, and encourage more people to attend screenings and events at the theatre.

So we did our research and came up with a plan to revive the film theatre, while remaining our mandate to provide the best in world and independent cinema.

Information about our films and events are available through our Film Theatre Schedule, from our staff, on this website and through our social media channels.

If you have questions about the changes, or new ideas about the film theatre, we would love to hear from you. Simply email mac@reginalibrary.ca, or phone 306.777.6037.

See you at the theatre!

Film Times

• New Release screenings are shown Friday through Sunday evenings at 6:30 and 8:30pm
• Matinees are shown on Saturday and Sunday starting at 3:30pm

Programming

• We've broadened the genres of films we show within the context of our mandate.
• Thursday evening films are free screenings titles from the RPL collection, typically ‘cult’ favourites.
• Saturday matinees are free family films.
• Sunday matinees are also free and focus on classic cinema.

Popcorn

• We're now offering popcorn for purchase at all new release screenings.

Film Theatre Schedule

• Our two-month print Film Theatre Guide has been changed to a monthly, one-page schedule.

What’s stayed the same

• We continue to screen new films within the mandate of the film theatre, which is to provide the best in world and independent cinema.
• We continue to provide opportunities for local filmmakers to showcase their works.
• We continue to provide free movies, and popular programs such as Talkies.
• We continue to be open to and actively encourage partnerships with community groups and organizations to offer film festivals and other events.
• Library staff continue to select films based on the feedback and preferences of our local community.
• We continue to use local customer feedback and user data to ensure we provide our community with what you’d like to see.