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Bryn Mawr Film Institute
Category: Arts & Entertainment Cinema Cinema [Edit]
824 W Lancaster AveBryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 527-9898
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
25 reviews for Bryn Mawr Film Institute
25 reviews in English
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Review from Chris S.
Brookhaven, PA
12/29/2011 7 Check-ins Here
I have never been to a movie theatre that cares so much about their patrons. It's amazing. They offer amazing classes (I haven't taken one... Yet...) And their one time screenings are stunning (Chaplin, Scorsese, Antonioni, Hitchcock, etc.).
I try to get to this theatre at least once a month. They're culturally responsible with their film choices, but without the pompous "film student" air you find at other indie houses. The Bryn Mawr Film Institute is not only the best indie house in Eastern PA, but, in my opinion, the East Coast. -
Review from Michelle C.
Philadelphia, PA
5/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
The availability of solid coffee options from the adjoined Milkboy and a really nice selection of snacks are just the icing on the cake at Bryn Mawr Film Institute. What really sets the place apart from other theaters is the small, hometown vibe and interesting selections.
Last night, I attended a preview screening of Race to the Bottom of the Earth, which starred Todd Carmichael of La Colombe. The screening was presented by First Person Arts, and after the movie, there was a Q&A with Todd which brought a very personal touch to an intense documentary.
Regarding the aesthetics of the theater itself, everything appeared clean and well-maintained, but seats were ancient and a bit uncomfortable. A minor detail but one that will sneak up after two plus hours of sitting.
It isn't often that I get out to the burbs of PA, but I would definitely go out of my way to see a film at Bryn Mawr Film Institute again.Listed in: Movie Theaters
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Review from Nicole L.
9/6/2011
BMFI is the best place in the area to catch an indie movie -- they have cushy seats where the view is excellent no matter where you're seated in the theatre, decent snacky foods, and a constantly rotating selection of current films that aren't normally played in your regular big-box theatre. In between the current screenings, they also do theme nights and old retro classics like Casablanca and Gone With the Wind.
The crowd can be quite diverse -- watch out for the young arthouse critic airily commenting his views to anyone throughout the movie, or the elderly folks giving off the Main Line snobby attitude when they can't tell that you were ahead in the ticket line. Most of the time, however, the crowd is pleasantly down-to-earth and the staff equally polite and engaging.
Since BMFI is in a central location to plenty of colleges around the area, students should utterly take advantage of the discounted ticket pricing. Thankfully for us coffee-lovers, Milkboy Coffee is next door for easy cuppas to quietly sip throughout the movie.
Expect some applause at the end of a fantastic movie -- and be sure to join in if you feel the same! -
Review from Caitlyn D.
ASTORIA, NY
6/30/2011
I cannot say enough about this place. I seriously am obsessed and I wish I wasn't moving away three weeks after I discovered it. Their program selection is amazing and educational, you can see rare stuff for a low price, and the concessions are cheap and diverse.
My only quibble is the crowd. I don't know if this is the usual crowd, but my film was filled with old folks, half of whom were lovely, the other half of whom were just generally acting super-entitled. One sat dead in the middle of the aisle when she couldn't find a seat, another asked me to put her gigantic folding shopping cart in the aisle for her (as a former theatre operations person, this makes me insane. SAFETY HAZARD!), another started clapping rhythmically with a completely straight face when he felt that it was time for the film to start. Seriously? Seriously?
At any rate, I realize that the crowd is one thing BMFI can't always control, so...five stars indeed. -
Review from Marcus S.
Bala Cynwyd, PA
1/7/2012
This is a nice place to check out a movie, however compared to the more recently built state of the art options, it can't really stack up. It's in a great location, and the lines are rarely bad, but you still get movie theater pricing for drinks and snacks, and their movie selection is average. For me, the newer the theater the better, in terms of feeling that the chair you're sitting in isn't filled with dirt and whatever else lives in them. Service has been fair.
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Review from Nicole W.
5/14/2011
I still don't know how I attended Haverford College (on the mainline) for four years and have only been here once during my undergrad years, and now again after I entered the "real world". This place is fantastic.
I admit that I am generally not a movie goer. Anyone else notice how stale Hollywood has gotten with its productions? It's either sequels (and some of those sequels just need not to have happened), the same sappy romantic comedies repackaged with a different title, or Pixar.
Honestly the last hollywood movie I watched in theaters was Twilight... (don't judge me.)
All that being said, i will definitely make it a point to try to come here and catch some fantastic films. Both times I've been here I've been impressed by the quality of movies/documentaries that they show.
The theaters are always clean and I find the seats to be comfy. The concession stand won't empty your wallet, though it would have been nice if the popcorn had been warm.
And it definitely doesn't hurt that there's a Milkboy located adjoined to the theater. It's nice to catch some entertainment before or after a great movie. There's parking located in a back-lot a street away, and its free after 6. And if you want to catch a meal and a movie, there's plenty of really good establishments to choose from, all a walking distance away. -
Review from Bill M.
7/31/2007 2 Check-ins Here
Wow. where do I start? This is hands down the best movie theater in Pennsylvania that doesn't have the name Ritz attached. Its showcases a lot of the same independent films as the Ritz. But it also has it's share repertory film nights that rival Movie Monday at the Trocadero, and happen a lot more frequently. It also has an affordable selection of snacks that range from popcorn to cliff bars, and a better student discount rate.
want more? then you shall have it. You can become a member and not only get movie tickets for even cheaper, you can also get invites to first run sneak peeks. And in case you haven't noticed that it's an institue, you can sign up for an eclectic mix of classes that range from screenplay writing, to the works of Stanley Kubrick. Talk about a place that really knows it's cinema and how to pay it forward.
The second Milk Boy Coffee just opened right in the same complex recently. So now not only do you get cinema in this building, you also get coffee and live music!
Update 8/03/07 - I just found out that you can register to have your own film screened here every Monday. so all you film makers take note.Listed in: The Highlight Reel, Suburbia, Culture Vultures, Cinema
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Review from jenn h. h.
Ardmore, PA
3/3/2008
There are a few indie-type theater choices in the burbs (think Bala and Phoenixville) but Bryn Mawr is the best. It's small and in the heart of Bryn Mawr, but consistently plays the best selection of non-blockbuster mainstream flicks. The two theaters are long and narrow, not-luxurious, and are not super high tech, but they suit my low maintenance style just fine.
It's an old-time theater that's being revitalized, by real film fans who want to infuse the main line with a love for films, not just movies. There are tons of classes, workshops, etc for those film lovers in you. And if you look young like me, you can get in with student prices. They're not all that stringent on requiring IDs, so it's not that hard to save a buck or two here.
One of the other best things is that since last year, Bryn Mawr is one of the venues for the yearly Philly Film Festival. So for those who don't want to schlep it all the way down to the city, there's still a place to catch film festival flicks in the burbs. -
Review from Emma D.
Chicago, IL
4/26/2008
Definitely the place to go to satisfy your need for indie film goodness. They even have a selection of classes, workshops, and I saw a flyer saying that Sir Ben Kingsley is going to be there for a screening and discussion sometime this spring. Incredible.
We just saw 'The Band's visit' which is an Israeli/Egyptian film, actually entertaining AND arty! Plus the old theater lobby is gorgeous. Student tickets are only $6.50 anytime, and a medium popcorn was only $3.50. Great date if you want to impress ;) -
Review from Joanne K.
Princeton, NJ
4/26/2009
Last night was our first trip to Bryn Mawr and to this theater.
What an adorable place! We didn't get there early enough to hit the coffee shop next door (Milkboy, I think) but next time we will budget our time better so we can check that place out. Looked nice.
The theater was awesome. Student rates for films (nice!), very comfortable seats, cheap snacks, good sound quality with the film, and no previews! Just adorable announcements about goings-on about town.
I glanced through the schedule of events they have here and was quite impressed by everything they have going on. I really wish we lived just a little closer so we could come more often (and become members - that seemed like a cool deal.) -
Review from Jessica S.
Philadelphia, PA
5/21/2007 1 photo
What's that you say? You just accidentally spent 2 hours watching movie trailers on http://Apple.com, and now you REALLY want to see that Sony Independent Pictures flick that's coming out next month? Oh, and you live in the suburbs of a mid-sized city that is not New York or LA?
By now, I'm sure you're feeling down on yourself, and like nothing ever goes right for you in the world, but cheer up, chap. You're in luck. All you need to do is check out the Bryn Mawr Film Institute.
Located on the Main Line, right on the main drag of Lancaster Ave, the Bryn Mawr Film Institute is the best option I've found to catch a film that's not going to be playing at a mega huge, over-priced cineplex. It's not in Center City, which provides a nice escape if you need it. Plus, there is a free parking lot and street parking readily available; it's way nicer than paying for garage parking at the Ritz. The admission costs are also less, especially if you're a student or seeing a matinee.
The theater has two screens, each playing a different movie. Each film stays in the theater a few weeks, and they play about 20 times a week. In addition to current films, they have days when they play classics, host film festivals, and even conduct seminars on film and the arts.
They are in the midst of renovating the theater to make it even more beautiful and functional. If you check out the theater and enjoy the experience, consider making a donation to help the progress along. When the changes are made it's going to be a truly remarkable place to see a film. -
Review from Jackie D.
Ardmore, PA
5/4/2010
OOOOHHH!! I really liked this theater!
I went to go see Ghost Writer last week. I loved the set up of the theater! You walk in and Milkboy is on the left, and the entrance is very user friendly and fancy. If I had an extra $50+ (I'm in nursing school... give me some time) I would TOTALLY become a member.
The theater was very clean. I didn't even see one person leave any trash behind... so it shows that the theater demands the respect it deserves! The institute really showed their pride in their set up by having pictures up and information on raising money for the upkeep.
AND- next time you go, make sure you check out the glass skylight over the atrium. Pretty rad. -
Review from Anne Ligon H.
Bryn Mawr, PA
9/5/2010
The BMFI is an indie theater totally lacking in pretension - they may be showing the latest Polish avant-garde musical adaptation of Finnegan's Wake, but it's likely that they are simultaneously rolling out a well-curated, accessible film series that will appeal to a broad movie-going audience (like this past summer's Teens on Screen, which featured 35mm prints of American Graffiti, Sixteen Candles, and Dazed and Confused).
Student ticket prices are fantastic ($6.50, last time I visited), and yearly memberships are a definite value if you think you'll stop in often. Concessions are in line with what you'd find at any of the Ritz theaters in Philly, and shockingly cheap to someone raised on the greasy $6.50 popcorn you'd get at a Regal or AMC theater.
The staff members are friendly and seem to be genuinely enthused about film; it doesn't seem to be just a day job to most of them. They also really, really care about the Film Institute itself, and are constantly soliciting donations so that they can complete the years-in-progress renovation of the old Savoy Theater. In my grumpier moments I find this annoying, but it's simply a necessity for a theater largely dependent on its donors.
Long story short: I love the BMFI! -
Review from Lauren H.
Houston, TX
4/26/2007
Thank you, Bryn Mawr Film Institute, for keeping me cultured for cheap during my college years.
The Film Institute is not just your typical movie theater. In addition to play the latest independent and international films, they also conduct film classes and seminars, discussions, and panels. They also host a Midnight Movie series, and are still in the process of renovating the building to its former glory.
The best part of all? STUDENT ADMISSION. $6 for evening shows! If you're truly a film buff, students can become members of the Institute for $35 a year, and will only have to pay $4.50 for shows, in addition to receiving free passes for sneak previews.
The food and drinks are extremely affordable, and the snacks aren't just you're run of the mill candies - there's Clif Bars and fancy dark chocolate and energy drinks. Attached to the theater is a Milkboy, which in addition to serving tasty coffee and post-show snacks, is a great place to study on a Saturday afternoon.Listed in: Alma Mater
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Review from Danan R.
5/13/2011
This is the best theater to see an independent film in the area. It's right next to Milkboy, so you can grab a frappe right before (or after). It is very clean and they often have pre-release screenings. We saw Race to the Bottom of the Earth on Thursday and got to meet Todd Carmichael during the discussion. They also have operas and ballets, which makes me very happy.
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Review from Phillip Y.
Des Moines, IA
Updated - 2/27/2011
I have to update my review because I finally found the best film discussion group. Talk Cinema has the best selection of film that I have seen in a long time. You get to preview some of the best independent and foreign films before it reaches theaters. I just caught Tom McCarthy's "Win, Win" which showcased in this year's Sundance Film Festival. I have tried their monthly free Sunday Inside the Character film discussion group which was a hit or miss with the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia. Too much psycho babble if you ask me. We just want to discuss about the film!!! I just love it when nobody knows much about the film and we get to experience it all new in the Talk Cinema series.
Listed in: Philly's Culture Vultures
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/24/2009
I watched a couple of films here and realized that there were film discussions and classes as well.… Read more »
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Review from Lynne G.
Washington, DC
1/6/2011
When's the last time the stranger next to you struck up a conversation pre-screening? That pretty much describes BMFI: it's a beloved destination for people who enjoy film...it's also such an outdated facility that you're literally joined at the hip with your neighbor.
I grew up as a regular here when it was one of the better commercial movie houses in the area, showing more intelligent films. I moved West before its transformation into a non-profit film center. I returned recently after 20 years to see The King's Speech, since it was most convenient theatre showing that title.
The pros: If you live in the area and love movies, write your membership check now. BMFI has built a film community and it embraces them with smart offerings that run the gamut from obscure current titles to decades-old commercial hits celebrating recently deceased artists. Yes, there is something for everyone on its monthly schedule but you should venture beyond your comfort zone and attend an offering that might not, on its surface, be particularly interesting. You need to trust the knowledge and taste of the people curating the schedule.
The cons: On the other hand, if you want to see a current title that's screening in wider release, your viewing experience is better-served at a commercial house. The "charm" of the "beautifully restored" facility, mentioned by several Yelpers, was lost on us. The rows and seats were terribly cramped, the sole narrow center aisle was a safety risk particularly with so many elderly attendees, the screen wasn't great, the audio was too low and the noise from the adjacent theatre bled so loudly into our space that several times, I thought my film had a soundtrack.
This is a terrific theatre in which to see off-the-beaten-track films, hear lectures and join in discussions. It's not the place to go see current box-office hits such as The Black Swan and The King's Speech, both playing there while I was in town (although I'm sure these 2, drawing sellout crowds, are bringing BMFI lots of revenue). If I moved back home, I'd definitely become a supporter. And I'd probably volunteer to help mount a capital campaign to fund additional facility fixes to bring it up to a higher physical standard. -
Review from Jim H.
7/4/2008
What everyone else says is true how good it is. Theyve had big stars give seminars there (Danny Devito, Ben Kingsley) I hear they plan to expand it too. Not many people mention the refreshments. Popcorn and a can of soda (MMM black cherry!) for about $2. That wont buy you tic tacs at AMC. Great place...plus I saw Revenge of the Nerds there when I was about 13.... very niiice!!!
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Review from Catherine F.
Philadelphia, PA
6/18/2008
Great independent movies. It's a non profit theater and the director is a Bryn Mawr alum (hells yeah!). The seats are comfy and cozy, there's a weird vintage 80s clip that plays before the movies about no talking, and Milkboy is right next door. Also, student tickets are like 6 bucks which is hard to beat elsewhere.
Listed in: Main Line Haunts
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Review from Lauren R.
Somerville, NJ
7/5/2008
I'm lucky to have such a fantastic theater just blocks away from school. My membership will be expiring in September and I definitely plan on renewing it. You save a ton on tickets and are able to attend special screenings.
The film series here are excellent. I especially loved being able to watch some of my favorite old movies on the big screen, something I never imagined doing. The Institute brings in people, professors or people in the business, to introduce the films and hold discussions which creates a fully unique film-going experience. Even better, these series are free for students who bring ID.
I love this place. I only wish that it were able to carry more new release films at one time. I feel like I missed a whole bunch of foreign films that I had wanted to see because you simply can't fit them all into a 2 screen theater. I, nonetheless, adore BMFI. -
Review from Lisa Q.
West Chester, PA
9/14/2009
(Before the review, I should note that on occasion I volunteer for the Institute. Never have I been a paid employee, but I am affiliated with them in a volunteer capacity. However, everything below is my objective opinion. I volunteer for BMFI because I love it, as you should to! ;-) )
BMFI has been my cinematic sanctuary for years, now. As art-house cinemas tragically continue to fade into the shadows of the past, it stays on, thank god. With only two screens sometimes I don't always agree with what plays on them and for how long, in terms of current art-house releases, but hey, I'm not a programmer. (I do hear that BMFI is in the beginning stages of adding another theatre room, though!)
The repertory events and series that they hold are stellar, and the programmer is to be HIGHLY commended for that. I've never had the pleasure (read=funds) of attending one of their class session series, but reading the titles of them every season gives me much food for thought.
BMFI has a membership program that is worth looking into, such is the discount on ticket prices. Members also get invitations to special events/early screenings and such...the student membership fee is worth it, as far as I'm concerned.
An excellent venue and a real treasure.Listed in: Coming to a Theater Near You?
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Review from Vincent P.
Philadelphia, PA
6/28/2009
We went here last night to see Food Inc. Nice theater with a coffee shop along with a traditional and healthy selection of concessions. Nice seats nice sound and just a great place to catch a movie. They have a series of Hitchcock movies showing in the coming week. A very cool place.
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Review from Claude N.
Montgomery, PA
6/10/2011
BMFI keeps getting better. Not only do they show what we in the Philly area refer to as "Ritz-type" movies, but they also offer terrific repertory series throughout the year. The staff is doing a great job turning BMFI into an important cultural center, offering special presentations of ballets, operas, and even Broadway shows. The big problem, though, are the screening rooms, which are long and narrow with screens that are too small. However, plans are in place to reconfigure the space to create four screening rooms. (I hope they all have stadium seating!) Also, I would prefer it if they sold fountain sodas instead of cans (or at least the 20 oz bottles). Nonetheless, BMFI is a great place that is much-needed on the Main Line.
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Review from Donna D.
Haverford, PA
9/26/2009
This is a wonderful movie theatre. It's cosy and comfortable, usually not too crowded. They select the movies they are going to have on display and the selections are always excellent. Some old, some new, all a should-see. It's in a part of town where there are some good restaurants within walking distance and a Starbucks to boot.
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Review from ace b.
Washington, DC
4/10/2008
I wish they had kept it as one big screen. Too narrow feeling. Still I guess Im glad its still around at all.
