Written by Camryn Mahnken

Photographs by Desiree Daos

Models: Mikayla Buneta and Natalia Cordero

Whether you’re looking for something to lighten up a hard week or a story to make you think more about the world around you, seeing a movie at an indie theater is a great option. Luckily, Springfield has one that engages a wide variety of audiences: Moxie Cinema. Since 2005, the Moxie has operated as a non-profit, independent theater providing the community with unique and local movie showings. 

During its time in the 417, the Moxie has hosted Oscar-nominated films like Nomadland, Belfast, and Minari, but it has also showcased local films from festivals like SATO 48. Moxie Cinema shows several films each week, many of which aren’t screened at other area theaters. Marketing Director Shay Rainey says that in 2021 the Moxie screened “over 75 films that wouldn’t have been available in Springfield otherwise.” Rainey, having worked with the theater for nine years, thinks that the programming is the most unique part of the Moxie. Programs like ‘In Transition,’ which highlights films from abroad, and ‘Science on Screen,’ which engages educators in the community to teach scientific theories through classic and modern films, create an engaging atmosphere that sets the Moxie apart from other movie theaters. Events like ‘Moxie On Stage’ that show recorded performances from across the world provide Springfieldians with a chance to see something they wouldn’t normally see in the 417, and Visual Literacy Workshops provide community members with the critical thinking skills to fully enjoy and understand media. 

When it first opened, Moxie Cinema brought something special to downtown Springfield, and ever since it has held a reputation as one of the institutions that ushered in the era of the ‘new downtown.’ Rainey says that “once you see a few movies [there], it just feels like home.” Whether you’re coming to learn something new or learn something about yourself, Moxie Cinema is the place for you. 

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Student Discounts make going to see a film at Moxie Cinema even better.