{{Short description|Australian cinema chain}} {{For|the European cinema chain with the same name|Palace Cinemas (Central Europe)}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = Palace Cinemas | logo = Palace Cinemas logo.svg | logo_size = 250px | type = | foundation = {{Start date and age|1965}} | location = Melbourne, Australia | key_people = Benjamin Zeccola (CEO) | area_served = Australia | industry = Film exhibition, film distribution | homepage = {{URL|https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/}} }}
'''Palace Cinemas''' is an Australian cinema chain that specialises in arthouse and international films.
Their head office are based in the Melbourne suburb of South Yarra and they operate locations in New South Wales (Central Park,<ref name="Timeout">{{cite web |url=https://www.timeout.com/sydney/film/the-best-cinemas-in-sydney |title=The best cinemas in Sydney |last=Dent |first=Nick |date=2023 |website=Timeout |access-date=30 November 2023 |archive-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123124954/https://www.timeout.com/sydney/film/the-best-cinemas-in-sydney |url-status=live }}</ref> Norton Street, Byron Bay, Ballina<ref name="Ballina">{{cite web |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2023/07/ballina-fair-cinemas-is-now-part-of-the-palace-cinemas-family/ |title=Ballina Fair Cinemas is now part of the Palace Cinemas family |date=2023 |website=Byron Shire Echo |access-date=30 November 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724095506/https://www.echo.net.au/2023/07/ballina-fair-cinemas-is-now-part-of-the-palace-cinemas-family/ |url-status=live }}</ref>& Oxford St),<ref name="Maddox">{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/sydney-s-thriving-verona-cinema-is-closing-here-s-where-the-indie-films-will-go-20231128-p5en9p.html |title=Sydney's 'thriving' Verona cinema is closing. Here’s where the indie films will go |last=Maddox |first=Garry |date=2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> Victoria (Coburg, Brighton Bay, Northcote, Balwyn, Brighton, South Yarra, Melbourne, Moonee Ponds & The Astor Theatre),<ref name="beat">{{cite web |url=https://beat.com.au/the-best-independent-cinemas-in-and-around-melbourne/ |title=The best independent cinemas in and around Melbourne |last=Barber |first=Riley |date=2023 |website=Beat Magazine |access-date=30 November 2023 |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120061906/https://beat.com.au/the-best-independent-cinemas-in-and-around-melbourne/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Western Australia (Raine Square),<ref name="Urban List">{{cite web |url=https://www.theurbanlist.com/perth/a-list/cinemas-perth |title=Perth’s Best Cinemas To Catch Your Next Flick At |last=Ardon-Coppinger |first=Renée |date=2023 |website=Urban: List |access-date=30 November 2023 |archive-date=15 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515055710/https://www.theurbanlist.com/perth/a-list/cinemas-perth |url-status=live }}</ref> Queensland (Brisbane & Fortitude Valley)<ref name="Queensland">{{cite web |url=https://stylemagazines.com.au/things-to-do/best-cinemas-brisbane/ |first=Dinushka |last=Gunasekara |title=Grab The Popcorn, Here Are 13 of the Best Cinemas in Brisbane |date=2023 |publisher=Style |website=stylemagazines.com.au |access-date=30 November 2023 |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108142929/https://stylemagazines.com.au/things-to-do/best-cinemas-brisbane/ |url-status=live }}</ref> & Canberra.<ref name="Canberra">{{cite web |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8276379/tickled-pink-barbie-fans-flock-to-films-preview-screening/ |first=Martin |last=Amy |title=Canberra's Barbie fans flock to films preview screening at Palace Cinema |date=2023 |work=The Canberra Times |access-date=30 November 2023 |archive-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719195357/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8276379/tickled-pink-barbie-fans-flock-to-films-preview-screening/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Operations== thumb|Palace Cinemas at Brighton, Victoria Palace Cinema operate a variety of locations that specialise in international and local art-house films and cinema events. Palace has been managed by the Zeccola family since its inception.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Palace of dreams |last=Lambert |first=Catherine |date=26 September 2010 |work=Sunday Herald Sun}}</ref>
Palace Moore Park has a non-competition deal with its neighbouring cinema Hoyts to not screen mainstream titles.<ref name="Maddox" />
While Palace only owns one cinema in Western Australia, it also operates several others in partnership with Luna Cinemas.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} The Luna Palace Cinemas line have their own independent website, membership program and offers.<ref name=Luna>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lunapalace.com.au/ |title=Luna Palace Cinemas official website |access-date=26 March 2013 |archive-date=31 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331041629/https://lunapalace.com.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Palace Cinema's regular nationwide membership and offers in other states, are therefore not valid at these cinemas. Luna Palace uniquely operates two seasonal outdoor cinemas, one in Leederville (opposite their traditional cinema) and one in Mosman Park.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
===Film festivals=== Palace also operate a series of international film festivals, highlighting a range of films from a chosen country.<ref name="Festivals">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/jul/31/how-palace-cinemas-took-over-australias-film-festival-industry |title=How Palace Cinemas took over Australia's film festival industry |last=Furze |first=Andrew |date=2017 |website=The Guardian|location=London |publisher=The Citizen}}</ref> Festivals include the Alliance Française French Film Festival,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.frenchfilmfestival.org/ |title=Alliance Francaise French Film Festival Website |access-date=20 February 2009 |archive-date=25 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225160352/http://www.frenchfilmfestival.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the Lavazza Italian Film Festival,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.italianfilmfestival.com.au/ |title=Lavazza Italian Film Festival homepage |access-date=20 February 2009 |archive-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218130401/http://www.italianfilmfestival.com.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the Spanish Film Festival,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/say-hola-to-cultural-freedom-20100430-txv4.html |title=Say hola to cultural freedom |last=Mathieson |first=Craig |date=30 April 2010 |work=The Age |access-date=23 February 2011 |archive-date=28 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628193809/http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/say-hola-to-cultural-freedom-20100430-txv4.html |url-status=live }}</ref> German Film Festival, the Scandinavian Film Festival, Japanese Film Festival, and the British Film Festival.
==History== Palace Cinemas was founded by Antonio Zeccola in 1965.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/sydney/entertainment/article/paddingtons-verona-closing-new-palace-cinema-will-open-nearby |title=Roll the Credits: Paddington's Verona Cinema Is Closing, but It's Not All Bad News |last=Joyce |first=Emma |year=2023 |publication-place=Broadsheet}}</ref> Zeccola's first cinema, Pix Theatre in Noble Park, was originally only open on weekends and operated as a dance theatre for the rest of the week.<ref name="Blood">{{Cite news |title=Film in the Blood And on the Pulse |last=Weiniger |first=Peter |date=17 November 1994 |work=The Age |location=Melbourne}}</ref>
In late 1994, Palace opened ''The Como'' and ''The George'' cinemas in Melbourne.<ref name="Blood" /> ''The George'' originally focused on "new Australian films as well as experimental fare and cinema of a more quirky nature, whether sexual, social or political", while ''The Como'' highlighted "films selected from the Cannes, Venice, Toronto and Berlin festivals".<ref name="Blood" />
In 1995, Palace acquired the Academy Twin cinema on Oxford Street in Sydney and opened the four screen Verona complex.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Cinema for a New Age |last=Holgate |first=Ben |date=30 August 1995 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=Sydney}}</ref> Nicole Kidman officially opened the Verona site on Valentine's Day in 1996.<ref name="Maddox" />
In 2000, Palace Norton Street held Australia's first professionally organised Italian film festival.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Talking in Italian / SYDNEY LIVE. |last=Cazzulino |first=Michelle |date=29 November 2000 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>
In 2005, Cinema Como received a $1 million renovation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Cinema finds a comfort zone |last=Lyndall |first=Crisp |date=15 April 2005 |work=The Australian Financial Review}}</ref> Antonio Zeccola announced that Brighton Bay, The George and Palace's Sydney locations would receive similar refurbishment. In December, Palace announced they would take over and reopen Sydney's Chauvel cinema.<ref>{{Cite news |title=No money in Chauvel makeover |last=Garry |first=Maddox |date=5 December 2005 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>
In 2016, Palace moved their head office to South Yarra.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Palace crowns success with a shift to South Yarra |date=2 March 2016 |work=Herald Sun}}</ref>
In 2017, Palace Cinemas opened ''Palace Central''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadsheet.com.au/sydney/entertainment/article/palace-central-cinema-complex-has-opened-and-its-beautiful |title=The Palace Central Cinema Complex Has Opened and It's Beautiful |date=3 November 2017 |website=Broadsheet |last=Fraser |first=Ellen}}</ref> The venue features 10 standard cinemas and three Palace Platinum cinemas. Two of the cinemas feature floor to ceiling windows that curtains obscure when a screening begins.
The Pentridge Cinema opened in 2020 in the shopping centre located inside the old HM Prison Pentridge in the northern Melbourne suburb of Coburg. It was the first Palace Cinema to open with a Dolby Atmos dedicated auditorium.<ref>{{cite web | title=Pentridge Cinema | website=Pentridge Coburg | url=https://pentridgecoburg.com.au/directory/palace-cinemas | access-date=21 May 2021 | archive-date=21 May 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521095733/https://pentridgecoburg.com.au/directory/palace-cinemas/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
In November 2023, Palace announced that it would be permanently closing Palace Verona in February 2024. The site would be replaced with a new location at The Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park.<ref name="Maddox" />
In December 2023, Palace's Moonee Ponds location ''Penny Lane'' opened to the public.<ref name="Penny Lane">{{cite web | first = Sarah| last = Ward| title=Now Open: Palace Penny Lane Is Moonee Ponds' Brand-New Movie Haven with a Rooftop Cinema | website=Concrete Playground | url=https://concreteplayground.com/melbourne/arts-entertainment/now-open-palace-penny-lane-cinema-moonee-ponds | date=21 December 2023}}</ref> The cinema has 11 indoor screens and a rooftop cinema.
Palace Verona closed on 25 February 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/palacefilms/status/1761668052150858236 |title=Palace Verona Closed |date=25 February 2024 |via=Twitter}}</ref> The Chauvel Cinema in Paddington closed in January 2026.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Maddox |first=Garry |date=24 January 2026 |title=A blow for Oxford St as Palace shuts the Chauvel cinema |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/a-blow-for-oxford-st-as-palace-shuts-the-chauvel-cinema-20260121-p5nvsb.html |access-date=27 January 2026 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>
==Locations==
===Adelaide=== * Palace Nova Eastend – 12 screens (Cinema Place), host of the Adelaide Film Festival from 2020<ref>{{cite web | title=Adelaide Film Festival, Oct 14 - Oct 25 | website=Palace Nova | url=https://palacenova.com.au/special-events/adelaide-film-festival-2020-oct-14-oct-25 | access-date=11 February 2021 | archive-date=29 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029081505/https://palacenova.com.au/special-events/adelaide-film-festival-2020-oct-14-oct-25 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=about>{{cite web | title=About Palace Nova Cinemas Adelaide and Prospect | website=Palace Nova | url=https://palacenova.com.au/about-us | access-date=11 February 2021 | archive-date=24 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224213223/https://palacenova.com.au/about-us | url-status=live }}</ref> * Palace Nova Prospect – 14 screens (Prospect Road)<ref name=about/>
===Brisbane=== [[File:Palace Cinema James Street, Fortitude Valley 03.JPG|thumb|Centro, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane]]
* Barracks * James Street (formerly Centro)
===Byron Bay=== * Byron Bay * Ballina Fair
===Canberra=== * Palace Electric
===Melbourne=== thumb|Palace Westgarth, Melbourne [[File:Palace Balwyn.jpg|thumb|Palace Cinemas in Balwyn, Melbourne]]
* The Astor Theatre (mostly classic films) * Balwyn * Brighton Bay * Dendy Brighton * Pentridge Cinema – opened 2020, located in the shopping centre in old Pentridge Prison, first Palace cinema with Dolby Atmos auditorium * Cinema Como * The Kino (partnership) * Westgarth Theatre * Penny Lane
===Perth=== thumb|Luna Leederville, Perth * Raine Square<ref>{{cite web | title=Palace Raine Square | website=Palace Cinemas | date=1 September 2022 | url=https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/cinemas/palace-raine-square/ | access-date=14 November 2022 | archive-date=14 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114093000/https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/cinemas/palace-raine-square/ | url-status=live }}</ref> *Cinemas in partnership with Luna Cinemas<ref name=Luna/> ** Luna Leederville ** Luna on SX, Fremantle ** Windsor Cinema, Nedlands ** Luna Outdoor, Leederville ** Camelot Outdoor, Mosman Park
===Sydney=== [[File:Palace Cinema.jpg|thumb|Palace Norton Street, Leichhardt, Sydney]]
* Central<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/blog/sydney-get-ready-new-palace-central/ |title=Sydney, get ready for the new Palace Central! {{!}} Palace Cinemas |website=palacecinemas.com.au |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425000534/http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/blog/sydney-get-ready-new-palace-central/ |archive-date=25 April 2017}}</ref> * Norton Street * Moore Park<ref name="Maddox" />
===Closed cinemas=== ====Adelaide==== * Nova Eastend (Rundle Street)
====Perth==== * Palace Northbridge
====Sydney==== thumb|The old Walker Street cinemas in North Sydney
* Academy Twin, Paddington<ref>{{Cite news |title=Art-house Cinemas Enter Foreign Territory |last=Thompson |first=Geoff |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |year=1995 |publication-date=22 May 1995}}</ref> * The Walker Cinema, North Sydney * Verona * The Chauvel Cinema<ref name=":0" />
==Palace Films== Palace has produced and distributed such Australian films as Kokoda and Chopper, and distribute many foreign language films in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.palacefilms.com.au/ |title=Palace Films Website |access-date=20 February 2009 |archive-date=25 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225111623/http://palacefilms.com.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.palacecinemas.com.au/ |title=Palace Cinemas Website |access-date=20 February 2009 |archive-date=20 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220120622/http://palacecinemas.com.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{Clear}}
==See also== {{Portal|Television|Australia}} *List of film production companies *List of television production companies
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/ Palace Cinemas website]
{{Cinema of Australia}}
Category:Australian companies established in 1930 Category:Cinema chains in Australia Category:Film production companies of Australia