Salt Lake Film Society Advanced Tower Theatre Renovation
The Salt Lake Film Society has announced plans to reopen the historic Tower Theatre by 2028.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Science Fiction
Live Poll
Do you prefer owning physical copies of films rather than digital versions you do not control?
The Salt Lake Film Society held a media swap at the Broadway Theatre to raise funds for the restoration of the iconic Tower Theatre. The society aims to reopen the historic site following its closure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why it matters
The preservation of the Tower Theatre and its collection of 16,000 titles highlights a community push to save physical media. This effort comes as digital licensing agreements, such as the recent removal of 550 titles from the PlayStation Network, continue to limit access to home media.
The Tower Theatre film collection holds approximately 16,000 titles on VHS, DVD, and Blu-Ray. This effort contrasts with the recent removal of 550 digital movie titles from the PlayStation Network due to expiring licensing agreements.
The players
Salt Lake Film Society
This local organization is dedicated to cinema arts and is currently leading the restoration of the historic Tower Theatre.
Tower Theatre
Located at 900 South and 900 East, this local landmark closed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to structural concerns.
The details
The Salt Lake Film Society is working to address structural issues that shuttered the Tower Theatre during the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers intend to build a permanent archive to preserve physical media and eventually make the extensive collection available for public rental.
Timeline
September 16, 2026: Tower Theatre reopening was announced.
September 18, 2026: The media swap and sale event was held.
2028: The projected year for the Tower Theatre reopening.
Industry Dynamics
The push to restore the Tower Theatre serves as a cultural counter-movement to the volatility of digital movie libraries. By building a physical archive, the society is positioning itself against the trend of companies removing purchased content due to licensing lapses.
Local residents can expect expanded access to a 16,000-title media collection once the theater fully reopens in 2028. The ongoing fundraising efforts directly support the restoration of a community venue that has been inaccessible since the pandemic.
The takeaway
This initiative underscores the increasing value of physical media in an era of disappearing digital content. Supporters can participate in upcoming fundraisers to help reach the $8.5 million target required for building repairs.
Further reading
Learn more about the local film community in our Science Fiction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Utah Chronicle.
Live Poll
Do you prefer owning physical copies of films rather than digital versions you do not control?
