Struggling independent theatres in the Lower Mainland could save money and time after a policy change at Consumer Protection BC (CPBC).
The change makes it easier and cheaper for theatres to show "orphaned" films – often older or less popular films that have lost their distributor.
Previously, a theatre owner that wanted to show an orphaned film would have to obtain a distribution license and pay to have the film reclassified – even if it had previously been rated in B.C.
The policy change allows theatre owners to submit a single form prior to showing the film, at no cost to the business.
Vancouver-West End MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert has been lobbying for the change. He told Business in Vancouver that it will save money and headaches for the small theatres that show, for example, retrospectives of an artist's work.
"It'll take away that headache of first trying to search the globe to see if there's any distributor connected to this [film] and then pleading with Consumer Protection B.C. that no, there's not, and then going through the frustrating process of getting it reclassified even though it was already classified," he said.
"Any time we can get rid of bureaucratic red tape that makes no sense, that's going to increase some confidence in businesses that their government is managing things wisely. So I hope that we can continue to do things like that."
Last month, Chandra Herbert told Business in Vancouver he was lobbying for a requirement that films be reclassified when they get re-released on a new digital format.
He said he's still pushing for change on that front.
Earlier this year, Business in Vancouver investigated the factors that are putting Vancouver's independent cinemas out of business.
