The Big Picture Theater and Cafe in Waitsfield has been an institution in the Valley for over twenty years. However, in November of 2024 it was forced to close its doors due to rising costs and staffing issues. There was an outcry from community members regarding the loss of their beloved theater and, within a few months, a group of Valley residents organized a 501(c)(3) corporation and reopened the theater as a non-profit community hub.
Since May 2025, The Bigger Picture Community Fund 501(c)(3) has been hard at work building programming and a sustainable approach to keeping this important gathering place open and economically viable. Movies are shown every Thursday through Monday evenings, and the offerings vary from recent releases to art or indie films to documentaries. In addition, there are film festivals, films made by local filmmakers, and events such as comedy and magic shows. The restaurant/bar has also reopened Thursday through Monday evenings. It is run independently, while the theater and community programming are managed by the Bigger Picture Community Fund. To remain viable, the non-profit relies on memberships, which not only fund the films, the events, and the community space that bring people together, but also gives members perks such as a set amount of free movie tickets and access to many free events. For example, Family Fridays from 4:30 to 6:00 PM provides activities for children while their parents can enjoy social time in the bar. It is free for those who have family memberships, as are weekend matinees.
Sugarbush Resort is proud to be a corporate sponsor of the Big Picture, and we encourage you to visit their website, Bigpicturetheater.info, and consider becoming a member. You can also sign up for their weekly newsletter to see what movies are playing and hear about fun family-friendly events, such as their Saturday dance parties and holiday events. As the partnership with Sugarbush grows, we hope to work closer with them on future events like ski films and other adventure movies.