Prince Theater Gets Name Change

Everything old is new again along the 1400 block of Chestnut Street in downtown
Philadelphia. The Prince Music Theater is being transformed into the Philadelphia Film Center.

The Philadelphia Film Society, which purchased the Prince in 2015, has announced it will transition the venue from a multi-use performing arts facility into the premiere hub for film in the city. The center will officially get its name change later this month during the Philadelphia Film Festival with the site transitioning exclusively to film programming at the start of 2019.

The theater has been a staple of business in downtown Philadelphia since it first debuted in 1921 as the Karlton Theater. Its name changed many years later to the Midtown Theater before switching its identity in 1999 to honor University of Pennsylvania graduate and prolific Broadway producer and director Harold Prince.

As the Prince, the theater has played host to numerous local movie premieres including many films shot on location in Philadelphia.

Beyond the marque change and shift in programming, the Film Society has big budget plans for its showplace including building and equipment improvements. In the future, the center will undergo a multimillion
dollar renovation featuring four screens including the largest traditional movie screen in Center City.

Down the road, PFS plans to install 4K projection, 70mm alongside 35mm and Dolby Atmos surround sound. The Black Box performance space will be converted to an Education and Community Screening Room complete with retractable telescopic stadium-seating, laser projection and 7.1 Dolby surround
sound. Blueprints also call for the construction of two VIP Micro-Theaters with premium seating and top-of-the-line digital projection and sound.

The Philadelphia Film Center says it will offer year-round highly anticipated new films alongside extensive curated screening programs. The center will feature an expanded lobby concession and cafe space as well as
extended hours to serve as a community destination for Philadelphia area filmmakers and cinema fans.

The film society says it is seeking new and expanded programs to support the region's filmmakers as well as education curriculum for area film students.

The Prince's re branding coincides with the 27th Philadelphia Film Festival which begins on October 18th.