In this edition of the “Sacred Houses Series,” we pay homage to The Loft Cinema in Tuscon, Arizona, as we continue to honor notable movie theaters worldwide.
The Loft Cinema is located at 3233 E. Speedway Blvd in Tucson, Arizona. It first opened its doors in 1972 as an X-rated adult theater and was part of the “Adult Circuit,” which was quite popular across the U.S. during the 1970s due to the rise of hard-core films like ‘Deep Throat,’ which became mainstream hits. Since 2002, when it adopted its current format, The Loft Cinema has transformed into a nonprofit, independent theater recognized for showcasing art house, foreign, classic, and cult films. It is also known for hosting community events and film festivals.
The transition to art house began in the early 1980s as Adult films shifted away from theatrical release to a home video market. The theater started to program independent cinema, foreign and avant-garde cinema, quickly gaining the reputation for becoming Tuscon place to go for hard-to-find films, which created its own community and following. It was in 2002 when the theater became a Nonprofit, marking a new era that focussed on film education, showcasing independent voices. During this period, it embarked on a remodel, adding additional screens, taking it from a single screen to 3-screens.
Now, the cinema is one of the most beloved institutions in Tucson where it is Arizona’s only member of the Art House Convergence (a National organization of Independent Cinemas) it also plays a significant role in Film Literacy and education offering student programs and it has it’s own film festival ‘The Loft Film Fest’, it hosts essential Cinema screenings along with Mondo Mondays and free outdoor screenings for the local community
If you’re ever in Tuscon, visit them, or alternatively, you can visit them HERE.
If you know of a theater that deserves recognition in our “Sacred Houses” series, please contact us and provide details about its location, name, and significance to you or your community. We are passionate about supporting local theaters and believe they should be celebrated alongside the more well-known historic venues.
The Other Cinema 
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