Founded in 1970 by a group of students at Trinity, Cinestudio has a long-standing reputation for its wide diversity of programing, legendary projection, and superb sound quality. It is equipped with both 4K Digital Cinema systems, as well as 35mm and 70mm film projectors for use in studio archive presentations.

The film-obsessed students who founded Cinestudio identified a home for themselves in the Clement Chemistry Building, taking what was at the time a little-used lecture hall with troubled acoustics and, within two years, turning it into a beautiful recreation of a 1930s film house. With the help of Ralph Mauro from National Theater Supply and Lonny Jennings at Dolby, the sound issues were rectified and Cinestudio held its grand opening to the public on February 16, 1970. The grand opening was completely sold out, featuring a double feature of Alice’s Restaurant and The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine.

After the success of the grand opening, Cinestudio continued to make its mark by screening controversial new cinema: foreign classics like the works of Swedish director Ingmar Bergman; the debut of eventual cult favorites like The Rocky Horror Picture Show; Stanley Kubrick’s 2001, A Space Odyssey on a newly installed 70mm projector; sold out showings of Harold and Maude and Eraserhead; and more. To this day, Cinestudio continues to show epic veteran films such as these as well as new creative masterpieces in a daily celebration of the art of cinema.

In 2002, Cinestudio incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization, independent of Trinity College but still occupying the same space in the Clement Chemistry Building. In 2007, the theater’s ticket booth was renamed the Fred Pfeil Memorial Ticket Booth in honor of late Trinity College professor and much loved, long-time Cinestudio volunteer and board member, Fred Pfeil.

Today, Cinestudio continues to provide a unique opportunity for young people to learn how to operate a fully professional movie theater to the highest technical standards. Two of its founding members, James Hanley and Peter McMorris, have guided the theater since its inception, and until 2021, continued to manage its day-to-day operations, including all nightly projections. Cinestudio, which is now led by Executive Director Lew Michaels, includes a team of approximately 25 student and community volunteers and staff members running showings seven days a week.