IU Cinema celebrated its 15th anniversary with a secret screening of the film “Moonlight” on Jan. 13.
For the past 15 years, IU Cinema has welcomed 370,000 people, produced 3,600 programs and hosted 300 visiting industry guests from across the globe, IU Cinema Director Alicia Kozma said in her opening remarks.
In line with this year’s themes, including “Living the IU Legacy” and “Celebrating Midwest Film Culture,” IU Cinema introduced the Golden Ticket event as part of its anniversary celebration.
“Because tonight is a secret screening, we decided to run this kind of ‘Willy Wonka’ style golden ticket contest,” Kozma said.
The cinema released three clues related to the secret screening on its website throughout the fall semester and invited participants to guess the movie.
The first 15 people who answered correctly received a golden ticket, which grants free admission to all IU Cinema programs for the next 15 years.
“We wanted our patrons to feel like they were also a part of this celebration, and to really get them excited about what this could possibly be, and kind of activate that trivia side of their brains that they like to use so much,” Kozma added.
Jon Vickers, founding IU Cinema director emeritus, reflected on the cinema’s early days. Vickers recalled how the cinema’s opening screening of “Lawrence of Arabia” in 2011 was on 35mm film. “Sometimes it feels like decades ago that we dimmed the lights for the very first time before a public audience, as Manny Knowles, our projectionist, ran all twelve reels of Lawrence of Arabia, complete with its full overture and intermission. It was a proud and magical night.” he said.
“Perfection is something we were seeking, even though it is an illusion,” Vickers said. “We want you to expect nothing but the best stories. Give us film prints, the best projection, the best service, the best programming and the best architectural settings.”
Brittany Friesner, managing director at IU Cinema, said the cinema is dependent on community. The celebration also recognized longtime staff and volunteers.
“The real business of what we do is connecting people,” she said.
Friesner then presented the inaugural Volunteer Award to Kathie Durkel, who has served over 370 shifts, making her the cinema’s longest-serving volunteer. The award recognized her years of service and dedication.
The main event of the evening came with the reveal of the secret screening film Barry Jenkin’s 2016 film “Moonlight.”
Before the screening, 15 golden ticket winners were invited onstage to receive their awards for correctly guessing the right movie.
Kozma said the film was chosen for the screening because it is “an exemplary work of cinematic form and aesthetic” and a “truly independent film.”
“Released during a time of tremendous division, radical global change, economic uncertainty, and cultural and social instability, this film reached across the globe, breaking differences and crafting a global community with tremendous artistic achievement and deep vein of empathy,” Kozma said. “Widely considered one of the best films of the 21st century, we believe it embodies the artistic, cultural, intellectual and compassionate core of IU Cinema.”
After the screening ended and the lights came back on, golden ticket winner Ellen Wu, an IU faculty member, shared her impressions of the event.
“I am happy to be here today,” Wu said. “This is such a special moment.”
Those interested can learn more about IU Cinema’s 15th anniversary film and anniversary programs on the IU Cinema website.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to accurately reflect a source's pronouns.
