The Mariemont Theatre threw open its doors Wednesday, Sept. 16, with a grand reopening gala that capped a $1 million renovation and launched the 2026 Cindependent Film Festival.

Cindependent, the nonprofit that took over the historic theater after it closed abruptly in February, said the fundraising milestone completes phase one of its renovation goals. The money paid for new projectors, audio equipment and screens across all five of the theater's auditoriums, according to WLWT.

The lights are back on.

Mariemont Mayor Bill Brown spoke at the gala about the theater's path back. "Two years ago, the theatre was at death's door," Brown said. He credited months of volunteer labor and community fundraising for the turnaround. "Here we are tonight, all the lights on."

The evening doubled as the opening night of the Cindependent Film Festival Presented with LADD, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Mariemont Theatre and Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine. The festival expanded to five days this year, up from three, and features more than 80 films from more than 10 countries, Axios Cincinnati reported.

Opening-night screenings included The Singers, attended by Oscar-winning Cindependent alum Jack Piatt, and Take Me Home, the debut film from Liz Sargent that earned the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

The gala featured a 1930s-inspired street party with live music and local food, a nod to the theater's original 1938 opening. Filmmakers mingled with residents at a welcome party inside.

Cindependent board president Jack Crumley said a large share of the $1 million went toward outfitting the five auditoriums with modern projection and sound. Marketing manager Jackie Moody said the nonprofit model allows the theater to draw on multiple revenue streams rather than relying solely on ticket sales and concessions.

The festival is the product of a merger earlier this year between Cindependent and the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, organized by Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled (LADD). That partnership brought expanded accessibility features, including captioning, audio descriptions, ASL interpretation and sensory-friendly programming, Cincinnati Magazine reported.

Founder and executive director Allyson West told Soapbox Media on Sept. 1 that the theater gives Cindependent a year-round home. The festival program includes 27 local films and a "Homegrown" block.

After the festival wraps, the Mariemont Theatre will continue operating as a community cinema showing studio releases and independent titles. Cindependent plans to add filmmaker conversations, youth programs and workshops in the months ahead.

Coming up: The Cindependent Film Festival Presented with LADD continues through Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Mariemont Theatre and Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine, with filmmaker talks, screenplay readings and parties around town.