Introduction
There’s a familiar story doing the rounds: cinemas are dying, audiences have moved on, and the magic of the big screen is fading into streaming-era obscurity. Allason Leitz isn’t buying it. As co-founder of Art House New York (AHNY), she’s helping lead a citywide initiative that does something refreshingly simple, and quietly radical. It brings people back into cinemas, together.
About Art House New York
Art House New York (AHNY) is a regional alliance strengthening independent film exhibition in New York City through audience development, research, and strategic initiatives. By amplifying the city’s diverse and vibrant cinema landscape, AHNY works to ensure that New York remains the nation’s cinephile capital and sets the tone for regional art house initiatives nationwide.
Allason sat down with Cinema Scholars’ own Glen Dower to discuss her ‘city-wide celebration of independent cinemas’, which ran from March 20-26. You can look back at the event highlights and get more information at www.arthouseny.org
Interview
Glen Dower:
Ms. Leitz, how are you doing today?
Allason Leitz:
Good! How are you?
Glen Dower:
I’m really well, thank you. We’re here to talk about Art House New York. Can you tell us how it landed?
Allason Leitz:
Sure! Art House New York, and it’s going great. This was quite an ambitious first project, but it’s landed really well. It’s been exciting to see New York embrace it.
Glen Dower:
This is completely my jam. I love art, I love movies, and I love New York. I’ve only been once, about ten years ago, and I didn’t want to leave. I was even emotional at the airport! I did all the film tourist spots. Ghostbusters was a big one for me, When Harry Met Sally, and a little bit of 30 Rock, and Friends. Do you think New York just has that magic ingrained in it? Is it a natural home for something like this?
Allason Leitz:
Absolutely. New York is so synonymous with film. Especially independent film in the U.S. It really is its home. I’ve lived here a long time and used to run a cinema, so there was a natural foundation for starting something like this. But more than that, the ethos already exists here. This project is about amplifying that, and New York is the perfect place to do it because it’s already part of the city’s identity.
Glen Dower:
You’re the co-founder and director of the week. Do you remember the moment you decided to make this happen? When you thought, “Right, let’s roll up our sleeves and do this”?
Allason Leitz:
I was hearing a lot in the press about theatres dying, but in my own experience, that just wasn’t true. There’s still so much enthusiasm and love for cinema spaces. It’s what you might call a “third space.” There was a disconnect between the narrative and reality. Yes, some cinemas are struggling and they’re often small, scrappy businesses. But there’s also something that’s clearly working. People want to rally around things they love. Independent bookstores are a great example. They bounced back after the rise of Amazon, and that was a big inspiration for me.
Glen Dower:
You mentioned in your IndieWire interview that “community” is a major theme, and I was planning to ask about that anyway. It feels like people are craving community everywhere now, through film and sport, eve leaving YouTube comments on songs. Why do you think people rally around something like this? Everyone remembers their local cinema. I remember mine in Ireland, and now they’re gone. It’s heartbreaking.
Allason Leitz:
The ecosystem has changed so much. Even in the last ten years. The digital layer we live in now is incredible in many ways. We can tell so many stories with just a phone. But there’s still something irreplaceable about being in a cinema. I was at Film Forum last night, and the whole audience was laughing together. It’s that shared experience. Even small things, like people shuffling to let someone pass. It creates a sense of connection. In a city that can feel overwhelming, that shared space becomes something really special.
Glen Dower:
Your goal is to strengthen ties between arthouse cinemas and the film industry. But do you think “arthouse” sometimes gets an unfair reputation as being ‘pretentious’?
Allason Leitz:
I didn’t come into arthouse film through that lens at all. I started working in film in Congo, supporting independent filmmakers telling their own stories. It was always about conversation and connection. I understand where that perception comes from—there’s been some gatekeeping historically—but in my experience, film spaces are incredibly open. There’s something for everyone. We’ve created this stereotype of the “arthouse crowd,” but it’s not reality. There’s no reason for anyone to feel excluded.
Glen Dower:
Would you describe this week as a ‘festival’?
Allason Leitz:
In a way, yes. As it came together, I realized we’d essentially created a film festival, but in a different format. I didn’t get involved in programming at all. That was left to the cinemas and their teams. My focus was on the broader structure and marketing. When everything came together, it felt like a “people’s film festival,” hosted across the city.
Glen Dower:
I have been following your event on social media and it was non stop. What have you learned or what have been your main takeaways?
Allason Leitz:
It’s been amazing to see people engaging with it. Posting online, tagging us, even tagging their own cities saying, “We need this here!” That was always the dream. That this could act as a pilot and inspire similar initiatives elsewhere. I’m hoping people keep showing up and supporting their local cinemas.
Glen Dower:
The quote from Ryan Gosling going around social media. That it’s not about telling people to go to theatres, but making films they want to see there. What are your thoughts on that?
Allason Leitz:
I agree. There’s been a strong narrative that theatres are dying, but we also need to challenge creatives to make work worth showing up for. If art is only sustained by nostalgia, then we have to ask what we’re doing. We need to keep pushing creatively to maintain that connection with audiences.
Glen Dower:
For someone reading this in a smaller town, maybe from Europe or the Middle East, or elsewhere, who wants to build something similar, what would you advise?
Allason Leitz:
Start by seeing who’s already there. This wasn’t built from scratch. It came from conversations and collaboration. Look at what’s missing in your local ecosystem and build around that. There’s also a lot to learn from other fields, like marketing. There are practices that can really help. And most importantly, connect with people. This worked because of shared passion and understanding what was already working, even if we weren’t talking about it.
Glen Dower:
Perfect. Back to community again. Best of luck with next year’s event, and everything ahead. If I’m back in New York, I’ll be sure to say hi!
Allason Leitz:
Please do!
Glen Dower:
Thanks so much for your time and all the best.
Allason Leitz:
You too. Take care!
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