About

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About

About (NEW)

What We Do

Pickford Film Center operates two locations in downtown Bellingham, offering a welcoming, comfortable moviegoing experience every day of the year.

Year-round, the Pickford presents major release, independent, foreign, and documentary first-run films, along with special series, festivals, and live events. We collaborate with local schools, universities, and community organizations to create programs that spark conversation and expand access to the arts.

As the only art house theater between Seattle and Vancouver open 365 days a year, Pickford Film Center provides a consistent home for film lovers across the region. Each year, more than 89,000 patrons visit the Pickford to see over 250 film titles across our five screens and outdoor programming.

Our Mission

Pickford Film Center is a forum and resource for independent cinema, strengthening community through education, dialogue, and the celebration of film.

Our Spaces

The Pickford operates two downtown locations.
Bay Street: 1318 Bay Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
Two theaters with 132 and 75 seats
Pickford on Grand: 105 Grand Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
Three theaters with 61, 61, and 19 seats
Programming at each location is unique, so films playing at Bay Street may not be showing at Pickford on Grand. The two theaters are just a one- to two-minute walk apart.

Doors open 30 minutes before the first showtime each day. Our concessions feature classic movie snacks, locally made treats, beer, and a seasonal wine selection.

Our Story

Pickford Film Center was founded in 1998 by a small group of local film lovers who wanted to make high-quality, independent cinema available in Bellingham and throughout Whatcom County. Since then, the organization has grown into a vital cultural hub and year-round destination for film.

The theater is named after silent film star Mary Pickford, a pioneering actor, producer, and co-founder of United Artists. Her independent spirit and entrepreneurial vision continue to inspire the organization today.

New new

What We Do

Pickford Film Center operates two locations in downtown Bellingham, offering a welcoming, comfortable moviegoing experience every day of the year.

Year-round, the Pickford presents major release, independent, foreign, and documentary first-run films, along with special series, festivals, and live events. We collaborate with local schools, universities, and community organizations to create programs that spark conversation and expand access to the arts.

As the only art house theater between Seattle and Vancouver open 365 days a year, Pickford Film Center provides a consistent home for film lovers across the region. Each year, more than 89,000 patrons visit the Pickford to see over 250 film titles across our five screens and outdoor programming.

Our Mission

Pickford Film Center is a forum and resource for independent cinema, strengthening community through education, dialogue, and the celebration of film.

Our Spaces

The Pickford operates two downtown locations.

Bay Street: 1318 Bay Street, Bellingham, WA 98225

Two theaters with 132 and 75 seats

Pickford on Grand: 105 Grand Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Three theaters with 61, 61, and 19 seats

Programming at each location is unique, so films playing at Bay Street may not be showing at Pickford on Grand. The two theaters are just a one- to two-minute walk apart.

Doors open 30 minutes before the first showtime each day. Our concessions feature classic movie snacks, locally made treats, beer, and a seasonal wine selection.

Our Story

Pickford Film Center was founded in 1998 by a small group of local film lovers who wanted to make high-quality, independent cinema available in Bellingham and throughout Whatcom County. Since then, the organization has grown into a vital cultural hub and year-round destination for film.

The theater is named after silent film star Mary Pickford, a pioneering actor, producer, and co-founder of United Artists. Her independent spirit and entrepreneurial vision continue to inspire the organization today.

ABOUT

HOURS + EXPERIENCE

We have two beautiful locations in Downtown Bellingham. Bay Street has two theaters at 132 seats and 75 seats, while Grand Avenue features two 61-seat theaters and one 20-seat jewel box.

We are open 30 minutes prior to the first show time daily. Typically, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday we are open before noon and other weekdays we are open by 3:00 pm. In addition to regular theater concessions, we also serve a variety of snacks from local companies, a great selection of beer choices and a full wine list which is curated seasonally. Enjoy a snack or a drink in our lobby, or take your beverage into the theater with you to enjoy during the film!

WHAT IS THE PICKFORD ALL ABOUT?

A vital, mission-driven organization dedicated to its community, PFC offers an authentic, rich and uniquely Bellingham experience in a casual and friendly environment. PFC programming brings people from all walks of life together to celebrate the joy of the moving image.
Founded in 1998 by a small group of local film fans dedicated to making high-quality cinema available in Bellingham and the entire Whatcom County region, the mission of Pickford Film Center is to provide a forum and resource for independent cinema, strengthening community through education, dialogue and the celebration of film. PFC offers year-round, independent, foreign and documentary film, world class performing arts, and related special events. We’re also proud to host special events for schools, universities and community organizations.
PFC is a dynamic, multi-dimensional arts nonprofit supported by enthusiastic members, businesses, and audiences. With over 5,000 dues paying members, PFC has more than any other cultural institution in Whatcom County. PFC is run by five full-time, ten part-time staff, and a Board of Directors. In 2017, PFC served over 90,000 individuals – that’s more than the population of Bellingham! PFC has always operated responsibly within its income, and strives to blend the best of non-profit and for profit business approaches to create growth and maintain successful operations.
Pickford Film Center was named after Mary Pickford, for a few key reasons: She was small in stature — and when we opened in 1998, our cinema was only around 80 seats. She was innovative, creative, had an entrepreneurial spirit — qualities we were drawn to as a new organization and business. She also was someone who was a bit before her time as a woman during her heyday — forming United Artists with Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks, produced her own films, and generally went where no woman had really gone before in the film industry. We appreciated this inner strength and clarity of vision and hoped we could be so driven.
As the region’s leading venue for independent film, and the only 365 day independent cinema between Seattle and Vancouver B.C., PFC serves individuals of all ages, races and socioeconomic levels. With program grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Humanities Washington, the Charlotte Martin Foundation and capital project grants from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Building for the Arts Grant, The MJ Murdock Charitable Trust and The Rotary Club of Bellingham, PFC has a proven track record of success as both a local business and non-profit leader.
Pickford Film Center program selections are tailored to Bellingham by staff who are invested in growing Whatcom County with hearts and minds intact: entertainment, conversation, and understanding go hand in hand at Pickford Film Center.
Visit us soon and experience Pickford Film Center – much, much more than movies!

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Email Abby Caram, Box Office Manger at abby@pickfordfilmcenter.org

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MEMBERSHIPS MAKE A GREAT GIFT!

GIFT INFO

Gifts can be made by either purchasing a gift card for the membership amount OR via the box office or emailing Abby (abby@pickfordfilmcenter.org). If attempting to setup a gift membership instead of purchasing a gift card, you will need to provide contact email and full names for the people receiving the membership.

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Members get the best perks!

The value of a Pickford membership goes far beyond discounts on tickets and popcorn. PFC members play a vital part in keeping independent cinema alive in Bellingham.

Memberships help sustain PFC and allow us to continue bringing the finest in independent film and special events to the entire community. At almost 4,000 strong, PFC is proud of its healthy membership base.

This diverse group of friends and neighbors comprises the largest membership of any arts and cultural organization in Whatcom county. Members are the foundation of our success and we strive to serve you with the best independent cinema week in and week out.

Experience the magic and become a PFC member today. We'll always save you a seat.

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SPRING MEMBER DRIVE IS ON!

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Now through the end of June, all new and renewed memberships are entered to win two free movie passes and the coveted GOLDFINGER CARD - that's free movies for a year!