More Than Movies: How Pickford Film Center Builds Community in Bellingham
Nestled in downtown Bellingham, Pickford Film Center isn’t just a theater—it’s a movement. As the only art house cinema open 365 days a year between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., Pickford stands as a cultural cornerstone dedicated to telling powerful stories, supporting underrepresented filmmakers, and fostering connection through film.
Known for showcasing a blend of first-run, repertory, and vintage films, Pickford goes far beyond entertainment. Its robust educational initiatives bring over 3,000 middle schoolers each year to see documentaries—for free. That includes covering the cost of bus transportation. The cinema also hosts Doctober, the largest documentary film festival in the Pacific Northwest.
The Pickford team described the theater as a place where film is less about profit and more about purpose. They focus on stories often overlooked by mainstream cinema, prioritizing filmmakers from historically marginalized communities, as well as local creators. “It’s often bringing smaller films, arty films, and movies that give space to voices you might not hear otherwise,” one board member shared.
During Black History Month, Pickford hosted a Spike Lee film series, which included a powerful screening of Do the Right Thing. Many attendees were seeing it for the first time, and the post-film conversation was filled with emotion and relevance. “It’s more than just movies, you grab dinner, see a film, and then you talk about it after. It becomes a community moment.”
The cinema is also expanding, with a new space on the horizon that will allow for more diverse programming, local partnerships, and even select commercial films—presented in a community-driven setting. But with rising costs since the pandemic, support from the public is critical. Fundraising events, like a recent one featuring cast members from Alien, help keep the vision alive.
“Pickford wouldn’t be here without the community, this new space is not just for us—it’s for everyone.”
