Ragtag Cinema

What Ragtag Cinema does

Ragtag Cinema is a community-supported nonprofit arthouse cinema in Columbia, Missouri, operated by the 501(c)(3) Ragtag Film Society. Founded in 1998 as an all-volunteer effort and formalized as a nonprofit in 2004, it operates two theater spaces (138 seats and 66 seats) at 10 Hitt Street inside the historic 1935 Coca-Cola bottling plant, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2006 and co-located with Uprise Bakery, Hitt Records, and The Gallery as part of the Hittsville cultural complex. The cinema programs independent, documentary, and classic films across a calendar of recurring series (Extra Credit, Home Movies, Ragtag Classic Movies, Reel Visions, Screentime, SHOW ME, Wired) and also hosts the True/False Film Fest, a four-day documentary festival launched in 2004 that has grown from 4,000 to 40,000+ attendees across 10+ venues. The technology stack centers on digital projection with a 35mm change-over system for archival prints, plus accessibility hardware (CaptiView closed-captioning, Fidelio audio description, ListenTech hearing assistance) and the Agileticketing online ticketing platform.

The revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit model combining earned revenue (ticket sales at $7-$11, concessions, theater rentals for private events, gift cards, and a $325/week youth summer camp) with contributed revenue (four-tier annual memberships from $60 Irregular to $1,100 Mega-Guffman, donations from 50+ named donors, and foundation/institutional grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Missouri Arts Council, Boone County Community Trust, Community Foundation of Central Missouri, and the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs). Customer segments are diversified across film enthusiasts, community members/members, university researchers and students (through the University of Missouri Connector program and Extra Credit series), families and youth (Screentime, Summer Camp), the LGBTQ+ community (with The Center Project), and advocacy groups (Renew Missouri for energy policy programming). Distribution is exclusively direct – physical box office at the 10 Hitt Street location and online ticketing through Agileticketing – with no geographic expansion beyond mid-Missouri.

Recent material developments include the appointment of Andrea Luque Káram as Executive Director and Farihah Zaman as True/False Artistic Director in 2025, the May 2025 termination of National Endowment for the Arts grant funding, and the launch of multiple new programming series (Wired, Reel Visions, Screentime, Home Movies, SHOW ME Season 5, and Ragtag Summer Camp in partnership with Stephens College Conservatory). The organization is led by a Board of Directors under Board President Carrie Barnett and operates with approximately 20+ staff.

Name

Ragtag Cinema

Legal name

Ragtag Film Society

Website

https://ragtagcinema.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ragtag Cinema is a community-supported nonprofit arthouse cinema in Columbia, Missouri, operating two screens inside the historic Hittsville complex and serving mid-Missouri film enthusiasts, university partners, families, and advocacy communities through curated independent, documentary, and classic film programming, the True/False Film Fest, and a tiered membership model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arthouse Cinema Exhibition

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent & Art-house Cinemas (MPADAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Screenings & Venue Rentals (Corporate, Parties) (MPADAKAJ), Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG)

Keywords

• Independent film exhibition
• Arthouse cinema programming
• Documentary film festival
• Nonprofit film society
• Community cinema screenings

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

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, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Standard admission tickets for film screenings with tiered pricing by age/membership status
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership tiers (Irregular, Couch Club, Guffman, Mega-Guffman) providing discounted tickets and exclusive benefits
3. Concessions: Popcorn, candy, and beverages sold at box office
4. Gift Cards: Gift cards sold online or at box office usable for tickets, concessions, and merchandise
5. Theater Rentals: Private screenings, corporate events, fundraisers, and birthday parties in both theaters (capacity 138 and 66)
6. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and institutional supporters including NEA, Missouri Arts Council, and local trusts
7. Summer Camp Programs: Film critique and filmmaking workshops for middle schoolers

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ragtag Cinema is a community-supported nonprofit arthouse theater in Columbia, Missouri that screens independent, documentary, and classic films across two auditoriums (138 and 66 seats). The organization also presents the annual True/False Film Fest, runs membership and subscription programs, summer film camps for youth, theater rental services, and gift card and concession sales, all under the umbrella of the 501(c)(3) Ragtag Film Society.

Product overview

Ragtag Cinema is a community-supported nonprofit arthouse theater operated by Ragtag Film Society, offering film screenings through a tiered membership model (Irregular, Couch Club, Guffman, Mega-Guffman) alongside individual ticket sales. The cinema operates two theater spaces and hosts diverse film series including Extra Credit (academic lens), Home Movies (local filmmakers), Ragtag Classic Movies, Reel Visions (filmmakers of color), Screentime (family films), SHOW ME (community conversations), and Wired (energy policy). The organization also presents the True/False Film Fest, runs Ragtag Summer Camp for youth film education, offers theater rentals, and sells gift cards and merchandise. Memberships range from $60/year (Irregular) to $1,100/year (Mega-Guffman) with escalating benefits including free screenings, concessions discounts, and seat reservations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ragtag Cinema Film Screenings Curated independent, documentary, and classic film programming shown across two auditoriums at the Hittsville location, available to walk-in and online ticket buyers.
• Cinema Membership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• First True/False Film Fest (2004) drew 4,000 attendees; festival has grown 10x to 40,000+ with 120+ screenings
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Renew MissouriminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 August 2026Clean energy advocacy organization co-curating Wired series examining energy policy through documentary film.
• The Center ProjectcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 August 2026Mid-Missouri LGBTQIA+ organization presenting Two Eyes screening. Handles ticketing for this special event serving queer community.
• CoMo CraftcycleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 August 2026Local craft reuse organization partnering on Craftcycle Cinema screening series. Handles ticketing for craft-integrated film events.
• Art House ConvergenceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2026National organization coordinating Art House Theater Day annual program celebrating art house theaters and independent film across the country.
• Stephens College Conservatory for the Performing ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2026Partnership for Ragtag Summer Camp providing afternoon filmmaking workshops at Stephens College campus for youth participants.
• KMOS TVminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 July 2026Public television station partner for Screentime family film series, providing cross-promotion and visibility.
• Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary JournalismcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026University of Missouri center co-presenting True/False Fall Screening and supporting documentary programming.
• Columbia Center for Urban AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Community partner in the SHOW ME Series, a free monthly screening program followed by community conversations. Works with Ragtag to enhance community health through film-connected programming.
• Race Matters, FriendscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Nonprofit community partner united in the struggle for racial equity, co-curating film programming for SHOW ME Series to nurture conversations about racial equity and structural inequality.
• State Historical Society of MissouricoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Partner in SHOW ME Series working to collect, preserve, and share Missouri history through film-related programming and community conversations.
• Truman School of Government & Public AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025University partner advancing governance studies through SHOW ME Series, bringing scholarly research and public affairs content to cinema audience.
• KOPN 89.5 FMminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Local community radio station partner, cross-promoting programming and events to expanded audience.
• University of Missouri - The ConnectorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Academic partnership bringing University of Missouri research to cinema through Extra Credit series. Researchers present academic analysis of films following screenings.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves18 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IFC Center: Independent nonprofit arthouse cinema in New York City operating multiple screens with curated independent, documentary, and classic programming. Comparable as a community-focused art-house venue with membership/support model and curated film series, though serving a much larger urban market.
• The Brattle Theatre: Nonprofit single-screen repertory cinema in Cambridge, MA programming independent, classic, and specialty films with academic and community partnerships. Comparable for repertory/classic programming and university-community positioning.
• Coolidge Corner Theatre: Nonprofit arthouse cinema in Brookline, MA with multiple screens, curated independent/documentary programming, tiered membership model, and educational programs. Closest functional peer given similar scale, programming philosophy, and community-anchored nonprofit structure.
• The Belcourt Theatre: Nonprofit arthouse cinema in Nashville, TN with multiple screens, independent/documentary programming, and educational outreach. Comparable community-supported art-house model in a mid-sized Southern city.
• AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: Nonprofit arthouse cinema in Silver Spring, MD operated by the American Film Institute with multiple screens, repertory programming, and film festival activities. Comparable nonprofit arthouse operation with festival component.
• Music Box Theatre: Family-owned arthouse cinema in Chicago operating two screens with independent, documentary, and classic film programming plus a film festival. Comparable in two-screen arthouse model and festival affiliation.
• Siskel Film Center: Nonprofit arthouse cinema in Chicago operated by the School of the Art Institute, programming independent, documentary, and international films. Comparable nonprofit model with strong academic ties and curated programming.

Broad incumbents

• Landmark Theatres: National arthouse cinema chain (now part of a larger media group) operating multiple screens with independent and specialty film programming across major US markets. Comparable arthouse focus but as a for-profit chain rather than community nonprofit.
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: National arthouse-leaning cinema chain operating dozens of locations with curated independent, repertory, and specialty programming plus food/beverage service. Comparable programming philosophy but at vastly greater scale and as a for-profit operator.

Others

• True/False Film Fest (Ragtag subsidiary): Documentary film festival owned by Ragtag Film Society itself — included as a related entity for context. Not a true peer, but a complementary asset that expands the organization's brand and seasonal revenue base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ragtagcinema
• Instagraminstagram.com/ragtagcinema
• Xx.com/RagtagCinema
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ragtag-film-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Ragtag Cinema