U of T’s cheapest and most convenient theatre is trying to jack up its price—to two cents a movie, that is.
The weekly Free Friday Films is hoping to offset rising costs, especially in rental and distribution prices, with a new 50 cent per student levy. Students will vote on the question—and many others—between March 25 and 27.
“It’s free and movies are so expensive right now,” said second year student Nancy Duncan, who regularly attends the FFF, held every Friday at Innis College.
“Considering I pay for tuition, it’s a really great event for students.”
Currently the night is supported by the Students’ Administrative Council and the Innis College Students’ Society, which can result in difficulty in renewing year-to-year funding.
“It’s not that they’re [SAC] unwilling, it’s just that we need a more stable relation,” said Cinema Studies Student Union (CINSSU) treasurer Sean Rogers.
“We want something more concrete that allows for rising costs and lets us be more adventurous.”
The levy, if passed, will be refundable, which Rogers says is important to note.
Because Erindale and Scarborough students may have a difficult time making use of the film night, he says they can vote for the levy and then opt out.
Voting procedures make it impossible to charge a levy just to one campus, so all must vote.
Depending on how many people request a refund, the levy might leave CINSSU with extra dough after costs are met. “We haven’t looked into what this entails,” Rogers said.
“We would be funneling the money back into FFF to improve the quality of the program.”
This program includes both popular and independent films. FFF is also the host and sponsor of the Images Festival of Independent Film and Video.
