Something big is happening on the Sunshine Coast. The Gibsons Cinema — a community fixture since 1963 — has new owners.
And I’m one of them!
In this episode, I sit down with my two co-owners and friends, Steve Tannock and Ed Anderson, and share the story of why we’re buying the cinema, and tease what we plan to do with it.
What we get into:
How this started with Dominic calling Ed’s bluff.
Why all three owners bring very different backgrounds — IT, software engineering, media, and theatre — and why that might actually work
The months-long process of getting the deal done, including the moments they were sure it wasn't going to happen
Ed's mantra that kept them going: keep going until you can't
What a "third space" means for a small town, and why the Gibsons Cinema has always been one
Hinting at the renovation plan
A promise of much more to come.
About the new owners:
Dominic Girard — host of Secret Sunshine, 20-year media and podcasting veteran, incoming General Manager of the cinema
Steve Tannock — cinephile, former projectionist, current software and AI leader at Telus, and self-described lover of big bets
Ed Anderson — former IT entrepreneur turned fishing charter operator (Angler Management), and the one who got all this started.
The Gibsons Cinema takes new ownership on April 29th. Stay tuned.
Get in touch!
We are rebuilding a cinema-first space that welcomes community engagement. What are your hopes and dreams for our tiny but mighty independent cinema? What questions do you have about the business of running a theatre? Send us an email at gibsonscinema@handover.fm.
Special thanks to Vivian and Tony, the current owners, for trusting us to build on their legacy. Thanks to Max Henry, as always, for the original theme music of this podcast.
Learn more about the show at secretsunshine.ca
