October 1st, 2024Palace Films re-opening The Regent this week

Ballarat’s Regent Cinemas will reopen under new ownership from this Thursday, October 3.

The new owners are Palace Films, an independent, family-run distribution company based in Sydney.

The historic CBD cinema that was first opened by the Hoyts theatre chain in 1928 closed in June this year.

Its sudden closure on June 24 shocked Ballarat and also the wider regional community, leaving the regional city and surrounds without their longest-running movie theatre.

But now, after finalising the venue’s takeover, Palace Cinemas has confirmed it plans not only to re-open this from this Thursday, but also to introduce some new elements to the Regent, including a greater diversity of films and also its signature food and drink offerings.

Palace Cinemas chief executive Benjamin Zeccola has described The Regent as one of Australia’s best cinemas.

He says the main difference for patrons will likely be in film selection, but that fans of blockbusters need not worry, as Hollywood fare will still make up about three quarters of the cinema’s program.

However, for fans of art house there’s good news too, as the traditionally commercial movies will be shown alongside more international features, as well as film events like the British Film Festival this November, and French, Italian and Spanish festivals next year.

“We’ll still be supporting and playing all the best Hollywood products, [but] it’s got to pass a quality test,” Mr Zeccola says.