Kamloops Film Society

What Kamloops Film Society does

The Kamloops Film Society (KFS) is a registered Canadian charity and non-profit organization founded in 1973 that operates the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Kamloops, British Columbia. The venue originated in 1955 with Theatre 1 (approximately 450 seats) and expanded in 1979 with Theatre 2 (260 seats), for a combined 710-seat two-screen footprint at 503 Victoria Street. KFS draws over 20,000 visitors annually through year-round curated cinema programming including recurring film series (Thursday Film Series, Cinema Passport international series, Queer Film Series, Sunday Classics, Sensory-Friendly Screenings, Free Family Flicks), live Met Opera: Live in HD transmissions, and six annual film festivals: the flagship Kamloops Film Festival (now in its 29th edition), Stseptékwles re Sk'elép (Coyote Stories) Indigenous Film Festival (co-presented with Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc since 2022), Kamloops Black Film Festival, Kamloops Queer Film Festival (launched 2024 with Kamloops Pride), Festival CinéLoops French Film Festival, and the KISS Short Film Fest.

The organization's core technology consists of standard cinema exhibition and projection systems at the Paramount Theatre, with AgileTicketing powering online ticket sales and CanadaHelps processing charitable donations. The Society operates with a lean staff of five employees, relying on a board-governed structure, volunteers, and an extensive network of cultural and community partners for programming and outreach.

KFS generates revenue through a diversified mix: ticket sales (adult $14.50, senior 65+ $11.50), three tiered memberships (Film Buff $25, Film Hound $150, Film Aficionado $600 annual), venue rentals for private and corporate events, charitable donations and corporate sponsorships (including media sponsors Stingray Radio, Castanet/Glacier Media, and InfoNews), branded merchandise ($3-$30), and gift certificates. Distribution channels include the Paramount Theatre box office, the AgileTicketing e-commerce platform, and a free-pass program through the Thompson-Nicola Regional Library. The customer base spans general film enthusiasts, families, cultural communities (Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQIA+, Francophone, Ukrainian), Thompson Rivers University students and alumni, and library patrons across the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

Name

Kamloops Film Society

Legal name

The Kamloops Film Society

Website

https://thekfs.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Kamloops Film Society is a registered Canadian non-profit charity founded in 1973 that operates the historic two-screen Paramount Theatre (710 seats) in downtown Kamloops, BC, serving over 20,000 annual visitors through independent, Canadian, and international cinema programming, six annual film festivals, and Met Opera Live in HD transmissions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Art House Cinema and Film Festival Exhibition

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Screening Rooms & Cinematheques (Nonprofit/Institutional) (MPADAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG), Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ)

Keywords

• Art house cinema
• Film exhibition services
• Community film festivals
• Nonprofit movie theatre
• Curated cinema programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Kamloops

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from admission fees to film screenings, special events, and opera transmissions at the Paramount Theatre. General admission and member pricing available.
2. Memberships: Annual membership subscriptions offering free screenings, ticket discounts, popcorn vouchers, and VIP event access. Three tiers: Film Buff ($25), Film Hound ($150), and Film Aficionado ($600).
3. Venue Rentals: Revenue from renting the Paramount Theatre for private events, corporate functions, and community gatherings.
4. Donations and Sponsorship: Charitable donations from individuals, corporate sponsorships for screenings and festivals, and grant funding from cultural organizations. General Fund, Met Opera Fund, and Comfy Chair Fund campaigns.
5. Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including vinyl stickers ($3), cotton tote bags ($20), and KFF limited t-shirts ($30).
6. Gift Certificates: Sale of printed ($25) and digital e-gift certificates in various amounts for movie tickets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Kamloops Film Society operates the Paramount Theatre, a historic two-screen cinema in downtown Kamloops, BC, delivering year-round film screenings, Met Opera Live in HD transmissions, and a portfolio of annual film festivals. The organization curates independent, Canadian, international, and culturally specific programming through recurring film series and community co-presented festivals. Supporting offerings include tiered memberships, gift certificates, venue rentals, and branded merchandise, all sustained by a registered Canadian charity structure.

Product overview

The Kamloops Film Society (KFS) is a non-profit charitable organization operating the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Kamloops, BC, which attracts over 20,000 annual visitors. The Society offers a diverse portfolio of cinema experiences centered around its two-screen venue (Theatre 1: 450 seats, Theatre 2: 260 seats). The core offering includes multiple recurring film series—Thursday Film Series, Cinema Passport (international cinema with stamp-collecting rewards), Queer Film Series, Sunday Classics, Sensory-Friendly Screenings, and Free Family Flicks—alongside live Met Opera: Live in HD transmissions. KFS also organizes several major annual festivals: the flagship Kamloops Film Festival (KFF, now in its 29th edition), Kamloops Black Film Festival, Stseptékwles re Sk'elép Indigenous Film Festival, Festival CinéLoops (French Film Festival), Kamloops Queer Film Festival, and the KISS Short Film Fest. Supplementary offerings include venue rental packages, tiered membership programs (Film Buff, Film Hound, Film Aficionado), gift certificates, merchandise, and special fundraising campaigns. The organization emphasizes independent, Canadian, and international cinema that reflects diverse perspectives and stories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Paramount Theatre: The historic movie theatre operated by the Kamloops Film Society located at 503 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC.
• Kamloops Film Festival
• Stseptékwles re Sk'elép (Coyote Stories) Indigenous Film Festival
• Kamloops Black Film Festival
• Kamloops Queer Film Festival
• CinéLoops French Film Festival

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 people annually attend events at the Paramount Theatre

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Valid Dreams FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of the Kamloops Black Film Festival. Valid Dreams Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting unity and empowerment through diverse cultural events and programs.
• Cultural Voices Film SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of the Kamloops Black Film Festival. Community-driven hub supporting people from diverse cultural backgrounds to learn filmmaking skills and share stories through film and collaborative projects.
• Caribbean Diaspora Society of KamloopscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Kamloops Black Film Festival. Community-driven organization celebrating, preserving, and sharing Caribbean culture in Kamloops through events, education, and partnerships.
• Tk'emlúps te SecwépemccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of the Stseptékwles re Sk'elép (Coyote Stories) Indigenous Film Festival. Partnership with the Kamloops Film Society for Indigenous film programming and cultural events.
• Kamloops PridecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Kamloops Queer Film Festival. Community organization celebrating Pride Season with films by and about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
• Kamloops Francophone AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Festival CinéLoops French Film Festival. Collaborative programming bringing French-language cinema to Kamloops audiences.
• Sim'ya Ukrainian SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Cinema Passport Ukrainian film screenings. Cultural partner showcasing Ukrainian cinema with pre-film cultural tables featuring artifacts, traditional clothing, and heritage information.
• Thompson-Nicola Regional Library (TNRL)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFree passes to the Paramount Theatre offered through the library's community pass program. Passes can be borrowed for 1 week and are valid for 1 visit, increasing accessibility to cinema for library patrons.
• Kamloops Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration around Met Opera Live in HD screenings, connecting local music and voice students with opera programming and fostering recognition of local talent.
• Kelson GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Kamloops Film Society. Logo displayed on website as community partner.
• Stingray Radio (New Country, RadioNL, K975)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsors providing radio advertising and promotional support for events and festivals.
• Castanet/Glacier MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor providing local news coverage and promotional support.
• InfoNewsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor providing local news coverage and promotional support.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF Centre): Nonprofit film society operating the year-round VIFF Centre art-house cinema in Vancouver, BC. Closest comparable model to KFS: community-serving nonprofit cinema combining festival programming with daily screenings in British Columbia.
• The Brattle Theatre: Independent nonprofit repertory cinema in Cambridge, MA. Comparable as a mission-driven nonprofit cinema society emphasizing curated, culturally specific programming and member support.
• Hot Docs (Ted Rogers Cinema): Nonprofit documentary film society operating the Ted Rogers Cinema year-round in Toronto. Directly parallel structure: nonprofit film society with curated cinema programming and festival brand.
• TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival): Nonprofit cultural organization operating TIFF Bell Lightbox, a year-round art-house cinema plus annual festival. Comparable as a nonprofit film-society model combining member-supported programming and curated cinema exhibition.
• Calgary International Film Festival: Nonprofit film society running an annual festival plus year-round cinema programming in a mid-sized Canadian city. Comparable scale, mission, and operational model to Kamloops Film Society.
• Coolidge Corner Theatre: Independent nonprofit art-house cinema in Brookline, MA. Closely comparable nonprofit cinema model offering repertory, independent, and special-event programming with member-supported operations.
• Royal Theatre (Victoria): BC-based community arts venue operating film programming alongside live events. Comparable as a regional nonprofit venue blending cinema exhibition, cultural partnerships, and venue rentals in British Columbia.
• The Cinematheque (Vancouver): Nonprofit cinematheque and alternative-content cinema in Vancouver, BC. Directly comparable as a BC-based nonprofit cinema society screening independent, international, and repertory film programming.

Broad incumbents

• Landmark Cinemas of Canada: Major Canadian cinema chain operating mid-sized multiplexes including in Kamloops. Directly competes for theatrical attendance in the same primary market as KFS.
• Cineplex Entertainment: Largest commercial cinema chain in Canada. Competes for the same entertainment dollars as KFS but operates mainstream theatrical exhibition at vastly larger scale across broader geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kamfilmsociety
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIeCgTcZk40UoQxCzJbfMUw
• Facebookfacebook.com/kamloopsfilmsociety
• Instagraminstagram.com/kamloopsfilmsociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kamloops-film-society

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kamloops Film Society