Kolby R. LaMarche

Partizanfilm, a new independent movie theater, is set to open next month at 230 College Street in downtown Burlington, filling a void left by the closure of Merrill’s Roxy Cinema in 2024. 

The nonprofit micro-cinema is the vision of local filmmakers Ben Yates and Dana Sagalchik, who transformed a former yoga studio into an intimate screening space for indie, foreign, and art-house films.

The theater features two rooms: one seating 31 patrons and a smaller one for 19. Both are equipped with high-definition projectors, Dolby sound systems, and comfortable reclining seats. 

The renovation, costing over $200,000, was fully funded by more than 280 founding members who now own and govern the theater cooperatively. Members vote on film selections, events, and policies, making Partizanfilm a community-driven operation, organizers say. 

Tickets are priced at $10 to $12, with annual memberships starting at $50, offering discounted admission, priority seating, and input on programming. The venue will host regular filmmaker Q&As, editing workshops, and themed events, such as wine-and-cinema nights.

The opening comes at a critical time for independent cinemas. Nationwide, smaller theaters have struggled since the pandemic, with many closing due to competition from streaming platforms. 

In Burlington, the loss of the Roxy—formerly a six-screen staple—left local cinephiles without a dedicated indie venue. While the Vermont International Film Festival (VTIFF) and the Flynn Center have increased screenings, they cannot replace daily access to non-mainstream cinema.

The Roxy opened in 1981 as the Nickelodeon 6, which soon became a local favorite for mainstream films, especially near the University of Vermont. In 1985, Hoyts Theatres took over and continued its role in the community for nearly two decades.

In 2003, after Hoyts closed it, Merrill Jarvis III reopened the theater as Merrill’s Roxy, shifting focus to independent, foreign, and art-house films. Known for $5 Tuesdays and special screenings, it thrived until the COVID-19 pandemic forced an 18-month closure. 

Declining attendance and rising costs led to its permanent shutdown on November 7, 2024, ending over 40 years of cinema in downtown Burlington.

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