At a worksession on August 12, Greenbelt City Council discussed the funding of Greenbelt Cinema. Caitlin McGrath was present in her role as its executive director.
McGrath stated that while the Cinema has made a healthy financial recovery from the pandemic, it still faces serious uncertainty as it deals with both inflation and the vicissitudes of the movie theater model in this age of streaming.
Financial Outlook
At a May worksession, ahead of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget adoption, McGrath had requested from the city $15,632 to cover utilities and related operating costs, $60,000 for a business stabilization and development plan and a $25,000 increase in the city’s subsidy, from $75,000 to $100,000 (see the May 27 issue). Ultimately, the city did not grant the requested $25,000 in the FY 2027 budget, however, they included an additional $16,000 utility reimbursement.
At the worksession McGrath presented several financial details of the Cinema. In 2018, box office sales were at $237,173, while in 2025 they were just $175,857. City support is currently 12.5 percent of the Cinema’s budget, with the rest being: donations 26 percent; box office 23 percent; grants 18 percent; concessions 14 percent; memberships 11 percent; rentals 7 percent; advertising 1 percent; and merchandise 0.3 percent.
McGrath also shared information about the Cinema’s special programming, a unique facet of what makes the Cinema such a dynamic local entity, as attested by all present. These include specialty one-offs, educational programs and free screenings such as the School’s Out series and holiday classics. McGrath reported that the Cinema showed 265 films in 2025, compared to 26 in 2014, when it was a for-profit organization. McGrath said the Cinema is now at its programming limit, with the goals now to do things better and at greater financial efficiency. She said that a strategic plan is in the works (probably for October) which will analyze the existing situation and how best to proceed.
The Request
The Cinema is now requesting, as it did in May, an additional $25,000 from the city in order to sustain its current number of special programs. McGrath stated that even with this influx of funds, the Cinema will still be at a sizable deficit due mainly to inflation.
The Cinema has made, on its own, many improvements to the site’s infrastructure, like seating and the screen, said McGrath. The more recently acquired adjoining property has also undergone significant renovations through a private contractor.
McGrath said that existing staff numbers 6.5, though eight is the minimum they can operate with. Her goal is to have staff focusing on a single area and not having to wear many hats.
Resident Support
Residents Michael Hartman, Diana McFadden, Randy Ontiveros and Bill Orleans all extolled the Cinema as an essential asset to the city and well worth any sort of investment. All noted its transformation since 2015 as amazing. Residents from Bladensburg and Bowie spoke as well, iterating these same sentiments, demonstrating the Cinema’s impact on the surrounding area.
Council Response
Mayor Emmett Jordan cited McGrath’s stewardship, remarking on the Cinema’s rare ability to bring people together in a time when many feel isolated, a feeling shared by all present.
McGrath said that the Cinema is at a crossroads and warned that its closure is a possible outcome, a fate many movie theaters across the county have faced. Councilmember Jenni Pompi noted there are only 250 nonprofit movie theaters in the nation, with community support being the lynchpin in their success. Greenbelt Cinema is the only nonprofit theater in Prince George’s County.
Councilmember Amy Knesel ended the meeting by reminding the city’s residents of their ultimate responsibility in keeping the Cinema alive.
There is not yet a planned vote on additional funding for the Cinema. Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for September 14 and the agenda was not finalized by press time. Councilmember Kristin Weaver told the News Review that Cinema funding could be added to the agenda and noted any councilmember can request an item to be added.