The No Circuit Guide
How to Start a Microcinema
A practical, opinionated guide to creating a real screening space. Not a backyard with a bedsheet. A cinema.
Why This Matters
Independent film distribution is broken. Filmmakers spend years making something meaningful, then watch it disappear into an algorithm. Meanwhile, audiences hungry for real cinema have nowhere to find it.
Microcinemas are part of the solution. A microcinema is a small, independent screening venue - usually 20-100 seats - run by people who care about film. They exist everywhere: converted warehouses, community centers, the back rooms of bars, repurposed retail spaces.
What makes a microcinema different from "my friend's basement with a projector"? Standards. Real equipment. A commitment to the audience experience. This guide will help you build something worth building.
The Space
You need a room that can get completely dark. Not mostly dark. Not dark-ish. Completely dark. Light pollution ruins projection.
The minimum viable size is around 20 seats. Any smaller and you're having a party, not running a cinema. But bigger isn't automatically better - intimacy is part of the microcinema appeal.
Checklist: Your Space
- □Can achieve complete darkness (blackout curtains, no windows, or both)
- □Adequate ventilation (films are 90+ minutes, bodies generate heat)
- □Sound isolation from outside noise (traffic, neighbors, HVAC)
- □Throw distance: 12-20 feet from projector to screen minimum
- □Fire code compliance (exits, capacity limits, ADA access)
The Projector
Buy a real projector.
Not a laptop. Not a portable projector. Not a $200 Amazon special. A real projector designed for cinema presentation.
The minimum specs you need:
Projector Requirements
- •Brightness: 3,000+ lumens minimum. 5,000+ for larger screens.
- •Resolution: 1080p minimum. 4K if budget allows.
- •Contrast ratio: 10,000:1 or higher.
- •Inputs: HDMI (multiple), SDI if playing DCP.
- •Lens shift: Vertical and horizontal for flexible mounting.
Recommended brands: Epson (Pro Cinema line), Sony (SXRD projectors), JVC, Barco, Christie. Budget $2,000-$15,000 depending on size.
For DCP playback specifically, consider a dedicated DCP server (like a mini-DCP player) or run from a laptop using DCP-o-matic's KDM-free option for indie titles.
The Sound
Buy real speakers.
Not Bluetooth. Not soundbars. Not computer speakers. Cinema audio is half the experience.
Sound System Basics
- •Minimum setup: 2.1 (stereo + subwoofer). But 5.1 is standard for cinema.
- •Center channel: Critical for dialogue. Don't skip it.
- •Subwoofer: You need one. Film sound design expects bass.
- •Amplification: Powered speakers or separate amp/receiver with enough wattage for your room.
Recommended brands: JBL (Cinema series), QSC, Yamaha, Klipsch. Budget $1,000-$5,000 for a solid 5.1 setup.
The Screen
Buy a real screen.
Not a white wall. Not a bedsheet. Not a painter's drop cloth. A proper projection screen makes a visible difference.
Screen Considerations
- •Material: Matte white for most setups. Grey screen for rooms with ambient light.
- •Gain: 1.0-1.3 for standard setups. Higher gain for brighter but narrower viewing angles.
- •Size: Calculate based on seating distance. Front row should be ~1.5x screen width away.
- •Aspect ratio: 16:9 for most content, or 2.35:1 for scope films with letterboxing.
Recommended: Da-Lite, Stewart Filmscreen, Elite Screens, Silver Ticket (budget option). Budget $200-$2,000.
The Seats
People will sit in your cinema for 90+ minutes. Make it comfortable.
You don't need fancy reclining theater seats (though they're nice). You need comfortable chairs with good sightlines.
Seating Guidelines
- •Row spacing: 36" minimum from back of one seat to back of next.
- •Risers: Each row should be 6-8" higher than the one in front (stadium seating).
- •Aisles: Keep aisles clear for safety and access. Check local fire codes.
Look for used theater seats from cinema closures. Check restaurant supply stores, auctions, and liquidators.
The Philosophy
Equipment is just the beginning. What makes a microcinema matter is curation.
Show films that deserve to be seen. Build a program that means something. Create a space where people come to discover, not just consume.
"A microcinema is not just a small theater. It's a statement that some films deserve better than your laptop screen."
Know your audience. Know your community. Show work that matters to them - and work that challenges them. Balance accessibility with adventure.
Partner directly with filmmakers. Fair splits, transparent terms, mutual respect. That's what No Circuit is here for.
Ready to build?
List your space on No Circuit and start connecting directly with independent filmmakers.
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