Greenport Movie Theater Opens Doors In Winter With Holiday Films

GREENPORT, NY — It's a holiday gift for the entire North Fork community — the Greenport movie theater will be open in December with a selection of timeless classics.

Tony Spiridakis, one of the co-founders of the Manhattan Film Institute, and his partner Lisa Gillooly have teamed up to present the MFI Winter Film Series — a rare treat; the movie theater has long been shuttered in the winter months.

The excitement begins on Dec. 28 and runs through Dec. 30, with special holiday-themed films. Children and family movies will be shown each day at 3 p.m. with additional holiday films at 7 p.m.

“A lot of effort has gone into making this happen,” said Spiridakis, who first approached theater owner Josh Sapan about the possibility in September.

After the holiday launch, depending on how the public embraces the idea, MFI may possibly host three additional film programs during early 2019, with classics, independent films, and foreign selections.

The schedule for the Winter Film series is as follows.

Friday, Dec. 28

3 p.m.: "Elf"

7 p.m.: "Love Actually"

Saturday, Dec. 29

3 p.m.: Disney's "A Christmas Carol"

7 p.m.: "Trading Places"

Sunday, Dec. 30

3 p.m.: "A Christmas Story"

7 p.m.: "It's A Wonderful Life"

Reflecting on how the idea was born to bring Christmas magic to the Greenport movie theater, Spiridakis said, for so many years, seeing the lights off at the theater sparked his curiosity.

"When I asked the reason, I discovered it was that the heat didn't work," he said. "I have developed a wonderful working relationship with Josh Sapan, who has let MFI screen our short films on Sunday mornings for the past eight years."

After MFI's two-week program wraps up each year, all 25 original films are shown at the Greenport theater, Spiridakis said. "It's always packed."

In September, Spiridakis sent Sapan an email. "I said, 'Hey, this is crazy, but what if I take a shot at fixing the heat?'" he said. Spiridakis had just moved from Orient to Greenport Village and knew great individuals who'd worked on his house and could help, he said.

Heating issues were resolved a week and a half ago, Spiridakis said, but questions still remain. "This is a heating system that hasn't been used in the winter in 16 years," he said.

Spiridakis thanked two men who, he said, he could not have done the project without — Sean Cambell of C&H Air Corp. and Joe Whitecavage of Vanetten Plumbing & Heating.

Looking ahead, Spiridakis said he's thrilled to kick off the MFI Winter Film Series. "We want to get it up and running and see how much of an appetite there is for this — and how much of an audience we get."

If the concept is embraced, then Spiridakis will consider the three additional film programs running from January through May.

A perfect gift for the holidays — the films are free. But suggested donations are gratefully accepted, Spiridakis said.

A man who has devoted his life to film is eagerly awaiting the first showing, when he will breathe life back into the theater during the cold winter months. "It's just going to be the best," Spiridakis said. "It's going to be so exciting, to see the lights on over Christmas — with everyone coming home for the holidays. And these are all just really good holiday films."

Personally, he's enthusiastic about seeing "It's A Wonderful Life" on the big screen, something he's never experienced before.

Sapan spoke to Patch about the MFI Winter Film series: "The opening of the theatre is the work of the indefatigable Tony Spiridakis, coordinated by the extraordinary theatre manager John McCabe. Tony’s love of film, his generous spirit and his tirelessness made it happen," Sapan said. "Though we all carry more screens than ever, there’s nothing quite like the magic of watching great movies on the silver screen with an audience of friends and neighbors. I’m so glad the people of Greenport will get to do this. The icing on the cake is that it’s happening for the holidays."

If the project has the public lining up to see the shows, Spiridakis is already putting together lists of "films we're really excited about. This is just about people coming, and utilizing the space — that's all that's left to discover. The more people turn out, show their excitement and love of this, the more chance we'll keep it rolling. The only thing stopping us, is us," Spiridakis said.

Concessions will also be available, he said.

So far, North Fork residents are over the moon about the idea. "The North Fork is seeing a large number of people transitioning from seasonal to year-round," said George Giannaris, owner of Hellenic Restaurant. "I'm excited to see the impact the theater will have in the winter. I believe it will take off. If it does, it's an indication of a turnaround for the North Fork, transitioning from a seasonal destination to a year-round destination."

Keeping the theater's doors open year-round, at least on weekends, is an idea that's been discussed over the past years.

In 2017, Sapan told Patch that he would love to keep the theater open year round, but issues, including heat and management, needed to be addressed.

Sapan agreed with residents who have enthusiastically embraced the idea on social media, stating that they'd love to have a movie theater to enjoy year-round.

"I have always dreamed of the theater being open all year," Sapan said. "The theater is a passion of mine and I love providing the theater at no cost to The Maritime Museum for their film showings, to the MFI student film program at no charge for their film exhibition, and working with East End Arts," he said. "We have an artist exhibit of their work each summer. There have been superb photography exhibitions."

Sapan, CEO of AMC Networks, said he's long has a love for movie theaters.

Completely as a personal project of the heart, Sapan, on his own, purchased the Greenport Village Cinema in 2004.

Since then, he said, the theater has been renovated completely, with the Greenport sign on the front originally designed and fabricated, and the metal facing and ticket booth designed. All four theaters and seats, he said, were refurbished, with an attempt to keep the original architecture and design intact. In addition, the theatre was converted to digital, with digital projectors installed and purchased, Sapan said.

A love affair with cinema

From the first, the Village Cinema, with its walls echoing of days gone by, spoke to Sapan.

"Since I was a kid, I have loved movies and movie theatres," Sapan said. "The movie 'Cinema Paradiso' made an big impression on me, as it was an homage to movies and movie exhibition. Growing up, I paid $3 to watch four movies in a row in a beat up Times Square theatre. The movies were billed as 'Spend a Day with Clint Eastwood'. They were 'spaghetti westerns', three directed by Sergio Leone, with music by the great composer Ennio Morricone. It was a rare nine hours that crystallized my love of sitting in a dark theatre in front of a big screen."

That deeply ingrained love of film explained why he followed his heart and purchased the Village Cinema as a personal project, he said.

"I found the opportunity to continue that in a permanent home in Greenport irresistible, as the theater is historic and Greenport such a wonderful place," he said.

Film, and the movie houses that present them, touches the deepest part of Sapan's heart, he said.

"There is a song by Loudon Wainwright of Shelter Island called 'Movies Are A Mother to Me.' In it, he beautifully describes the healing qualities of going to the movies. I wanted to see the Greenport Theatre survive so Greenport had a theater. As so many historic theaters are disappearing, I thought the theater should not be torn down, but should be preserved and alive and vital," he said.

And, he said in 2017, the movie theater, dark in the winter, was just waiting for the chance to open its doors in winter. "Whenever the community is organized and ready, the theater is there," he said.

For additional information on MFI's Winter Film Series, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit MFI's website at: www.ManhattanFilmInstitute.com or call (646) 653-2634.

Films are subject to change; check the website for any changes.

Patch photo by Lisa Finn.