When the Pivotonian Cinema first opened its doors as a pop up in 2014, Geelong locals quickly found a home amongst what the business owners, partners and film lovers Jessica Litsas and Mark Walter had created.
What Litsas and Walter brought to Geelong was unlike anything the town had ever seen, and the duo soon wanted to take it to the next level with a permanent location. The hunt was on, and after a passionate fight for the former Pix on Elizabeth Street, the pair settled on their new location opposite Kardinia Park in South Geelong.
“We have indeed hit a few bumps along the way. But funnily enough it’s worked out to be totally worth it. Now we’ve ended up with an amazingly supportive landlord, who’s all about Geelong and local business,” she says.
What followed was months of renovations and business proceedings to create the new 71-seat cinema. While the duo were relatively new to the renovating process, it was guided by good friends Puya Malek and Glen Rogers.
“They were the cinema’s so called ‘spirit guides’ the whole way through the project. Seriously, who knew that you have to pick out your light bulbs before you even put a hammer to nails? Crazy stuff,” Jessica Litsas says.
“The whirlwind build has just finished but we are still setting up,” she says of the new location.
“Things like coordinating stock for our new additions to the Candy Bar menu, like our homemade chai and our jaffles – which Mark insists on calling ‘Brevils’ as they’re made in a Retro Breville sandwich press!”
Stepping foot into the new Verner Street building, it’s like entering one of the many independent cinemas that surround Melbourne – just minus the history. Though given Walker has experience working at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville, at Lorne Film Festival and at the Melbourne International Film Festival and with Litsas’ own arts management experience, the duo are sure to create a colourful and successful history for the cinema in no time.
This time around the Pivotonian boasts an intimate, wine bar feel with dimmed lighting and the warm orange of the logo throughout the venue. Stairs take you up to the candy bar where Litsas or Walker present to you the many beverage and food options on offer, including delicious hot dogs, ice cream sandwiches and the cinema favourites of pop corn, choc tops and more.
Screenings run throughout the week in the 71-seat cinema (still with a few bean bag options reminiscent of the pop up cinema) and feature the independent films often missed with commercial cinemas, but that are more than worthy of watching.
The cinema also plans to host multiple special events with Q&A screenings, participation in the Ukrainian Film Festival, Australian Festival of African Film and more. The of the special events happens with the Q&A session with directors and the cast of Australian film, Pawno on May 26.
Written by Amanda Sherring
When: Screenings happen throughout the week
Where: Corner of Moorabool and Verner Streets, South Geelong
Website: http://pivotcinema.com.au/
Special Event: Pawno Q&A Session and Screening at 7.30pm on May 26
