This is a reminder for folks to save the date and join us in celebrating this new chapter! The Pickford On Grand opens Friday, August 1st, 2025.
After raising funds through the passionate support of our community, Pickford Film Center is thrilled to announce the opening of our new three-screen expansion, the Grand, on Friday, August 1st, 2025. This milestone will bring the greater Bellingham community a total of five vibrant independent screens and marks a new chapter in our commitment to providing the best possible movie-going experience.
The grand opening event will take place on the evening of Friday, August 1st with an Open House Celebration. Festivities will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a lively mix of entertainment and other festive surprises. All of the new theater's screens will be running short films and guests are encouraged to come in, explore the new space, and enjoy free popcorn—other concessions will be available for purchase, including beer and wine.
This day belongs to everyone who made this dream possible. We extend our deepest thanks to the generous community members and donors who helped bring this vision to life. In particular, we’d like to recognize:
The naming donors:
The Saturna Capital Theater, funded by Saturna Capital Investments;
Joy Cinema, funded by Thuy and Mark Barnett;
The Loober Jewelbox, funded by Deborah Loober and Jane Burns;
The lobby is dedicated to Flo Francis by her daughter Barbara Francis.
Other Major Donors Include:
Michael Feerer;
The taxpayers of the State of Washington;
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust;
The Mary H. Storer Foundation;
And thousands of individual donors.
Finally, a huge thank you to James Willson, longtime Pickford board member and construction project manager extraordinaire.
Pickford Film Center, a nonprofit organization, provides a forum and resource for independent cinema, strengthening community through education, dialogue and the celebration of film. Since its founding in 1998, it has been the only independent cinema, operating 365 days a year, between Seattle and Vancouver B.C.
Join us in opening the doors, popping the corn, and firing up the projectors for a new era of film in Bellingham.
Event Details:
What: Opening of The Pickford on Grand
When: Friday, August 1st, 5:30 PM
Where: 105 Grand Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225
Parking is available on the street, in the Commercial St. parking garage, or at the courthouse lot across Grand Ave. from Whatcom Museum - The Lightcatcher at no cost after 5:00 pm.
For press inquiries or interview requests please contact Gray Gordon at gray@pickfordfilmcenter.org.
