Our Story

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1989 –  The Arizona Media Arts Center moves into 127 East Congress, transforming it into a space for film exhibition. The Screening Room opens its doors in November with programing focused on local work. 

1990 –  The Screening Room hosts the first annual Arizona International Film Festival and lights up its “Neon Lite” on the façade.

1991 –  he Screening Room undergoes a renovation period, completely reimagining the space. 

1992 – The “new” Screening Room reopens with a film series “Cine Chicano” and premieres

Tucson’s first indie feature “Indian Summer” by Rob Sabal.

1993 – The 2nd Arizona International Film Festival returns to The Screening Room and becomes

the official headquarters of the Festival.

1996 – The Arizona Media Arts Center purchases the property that houses The Screening Room.

2001 – Tucson indie feature “Running at Midnite” has a run at The Screening Room and

becomes

(and remains) The Screening Room box-office champ.

2008 – The Arizona Underground Film Festival has its inaugural festival at The Screening Room

2009 – The Screening Room lights up its new marquee which has become a downtown beacon.

2011 – The Screening Room hosts the first annual Tucson Fringe Festival.

2012 – The Screening Room celebrates the Arizona Centennial by paying tribute to Arizona’s

independent filmmakers and 100 of their films.

2013 – The musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” hits the stage at The Screening Room.

2014 – The Arizona Media Arts Center leases the space to Grand Cinemas who introduce a

digital projection system to The Screening Room.

2018 – The Arizona Media Arts Center leases The Screening Room to Outsider Cinema.

2019 – The Screening Room installs a surround sound system for the 28th Arizona International

Film Festival and the screening of the director’s cut of “Apocalypse Now.”

2019 – The Screening Room celebrates 30 years of presenting films in downtown Tucson.