With the purchase of the beloved historic Isis Theatre in downtown Aspen complete, the Roaring Fork Valley’s only year-round film society finally has found a permanent home. And like most new homeowners, Aspen Film has big plans for its fixer upper, and has hired a notable local design firm (Willis Pember Architects) to oversee the renovation.

                                                                          
In the fall of 2024, work will begin on transforming the 1915 landmark, dubbed Aspen Film Isis Theatre, into a film-centric community arts center—renovating the lower lobby to include a functional bar and flexible event space, a proper green room for guests, and additional studios for editing and film projects. “Our goal is to elevate the Isis Theatre to a state-of-the-art space that more than meets industry standards,” says Executive and Artistic Director Susan Wrubel.

Founded by the late Ellen Kohner Hunt in 1979 as a grassroots effort to celebrate the work of local movie makers, Aspen Film has evolved into a globally-known entity offering three major festivals throughout the year, a monthly Indie showcase, a robust Summer of Cinema program, valley-wide bilingual educational outreach and other family-oriented events. “We are full on all the time,” says Wrubel. 

And, in the competitive world of film festivals, what truly sets it apart from the others is the quality and pedigree of selections, and its pedigreed headquarters on East Hopkins Avenue. 

“With four theaters available to us in the Isis, our experience is intimate,” explains Wrubel. “There’s no double programming so our audience, be they a serious cinephile or a casual movie lover, has the opportunity to see everything.”