The Future Of West Newton Cinema In Flux

NEWTON, MA — The West Newton Cinema is changing ownership for the first time in over 40 years - and could become a non-profit visual arts and culture center.

According to an email sent to the community, co-owner David Bramante has entered into an agreement to sell the property at 1296 Washington Street to Mark Development.

Under the agreement, the Bramante family will continue to operate the cinema for the next 18 months to two years while they explore opportunities to transition leadership and operation to another entity. Mark Development has agreed that the theatre will remain in place if the family can find someone who can sustainably operate it.

Bramante said one idea under consideration is forming a nonprofit that would have the resources to invest in the physical facilities, support community arts and education initiatives, and maintain a focus on independent films.

"The West Newton Cinema has been more than a business for me, my brother and our families,” Bramante wrote. "It has been a privilege to be a part of this community and the lives of its residents. Our theater has been the setting for countless memories and special moments. We could not be more grateful for the support we received from the community and our longtime customers during the most challenging periods of the pandemic.”

"While it may be the right time for our family to stop operating the theater, our priority is finding ways to secure the long-term position of the West Newton Cinema as a community gathering place, beacon for the arts, and resource to our neighborhood,” he continued.

Built in 1937, West Newton Cinema has been owned by David & Jimmy Bramante since 1978, when it was just a two screen theatre. The brothers have since developed it into a six screen cinema and are known for the unique films they show.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to keep the theatre in operation and has since raised over $54,000.