Celebrating 70 Years of Cinema, Community, and Culture at the Paramount Theatre – The Kamloops Film Society

April 2, 2025

Kamloops Film Society and Kamloops Museum and Archives Collaborate to Honour Local Film History

The Kamloops Film Society is thrilled to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Paramount Theatre, a beloved community cinema that has been a cornerstone of Kamloops’ cultural landscape since 1955. As part of the festivities, the Society is hosting a special anniversary weekend April 11th to 13th, 2025 filled with classic films, behind-the-scenes tours, and a display of the history of the Paramount Theatre.

To mark this milestone, the Kamloops Museum and Archives, in collaboration with the Kamloops Film Society presents Wide Angle, a brand-new exhibition highlighting Kamloops’ place in film history. Wide Angle explores the city’s role on the big screen and celebrates the stories, landscapes, and cinematic moments that have shaped Kamloops’ film legacy. The exhibition opens with a public reception on April 11th at the Kamloops Museum and Archives.

“Cinema has long been a vital part of our community’s cultural fabric, shaping our stories, bringing us together, and inspiring new generations. 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,” says Colette Abbott, Kamloops Film Society Executive Director.

“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 Julia Cyr, Museum Supervisor at the Kamloops Museum and Archives. “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.”

Paramount 70th Anniversary Events

Friday, April 11

• 7:30 pm – Panel: Celebrating 70 Years at the Paramount – A lively discussion on the theatre’s history and cultural impact. Free event.
• 8:15 pm – Your Cinema Needs You – A documentary on the importance of community cinemas. Free screening.

Saturday, April 12

• 6:45 pm – Rebel Without a Cause
  – A special screening of the 1955 James Dean classic.

Sunday, April 13

• 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Paramount Open House
  – Celebrate with cake and refreshments while exploring the rich history of movie theatres in Kamloops. Capture a fun moment with the Kamloops Film Society’s mascot, Gaffer, and take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Paramount Theatre for a rare glimpse into its storied past. Free event.
• 3:00 pm – Lady and the Tramp – A family-friendly Disney classic also from 1955!
• 3:15 pm – Your Cinema Needs You – A second screening of the documentary.

Concurrent Exhibition

Friday, April 11th, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm – Reception ‘Wide Angle’ – Kamloops Museum and Archives Exhibition

• Kamloops Museum and Archives, 207 Seymour St, Kamloops, BC
• Exhibition runs from April 11th to September 27, 2025

The Kamloops Film Society expresses its sincere gratitude to Dr. M. Colleen Stainton for her time and dedication in researching and documenting the history of both the Paramount Theatre and Kamloops’ movie theatres. The Society also extends its appreciation to the Kamloops Museum and Archives for hosting this exhibition and for their invaluable support in highlighting the rich history of film and filmmaking in Kamloops—an essential part of the city’s cultural identity and storytellng tradition.

For more information about the films and tickets for visit https://thekfs.ca/movies/