PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST ANNUAL BULLETIN FOR THE MOST RECENT LISTING OF CINEMAS THAT HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THEY ACCEPT THE CINEMA PIONEERS CARD
If changes of policy occur, we will post these on our Social Media pages.
Dear Member of the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers,
The National Executive Committee of the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers would like to remind you of the current terms and conditions of use of your Cinema Pioneers Membership Card at various cinemas.
We strongly recommend that you always check in advance whether your Pioneers Card will be accepted for the film or session you wish to see – there are often exclusions, especially in the first few weeks of a new release. And policy does vary between cinemas and distributors.
- Hoyts, Event, Village, Birch Carroll & Coyle, Palace Cinemas, Wallis Cinemas – and their associated sites – now require a ‘gold coin’ contribution for each ticket issued to a Cinema Pioneer presenting their Membership Card.
- Reading Cinemas has recently clarified their terms of use:
- On the presentation of a Pioneer Card, TWO tickets are provided to the cardholder at $2 each*
- Not valid for Gold Lounge or SoHo sessions.
- Not valid for online or kiosk purchases.
- Not valid on Saturday for sessions after 6pm.
- Not valid for Special Event, Rooftop or No Free Ticket listed films.
- The Independent Cinema Association (ICA) is not able to advise an all-encompassing policy for their members. As such, some cinemas may recognise the card, and some may request a gold coin contribution and others may not.
- The contributions raised will support various charities including the Mark Sarfaty Cinema and Performing Arts Benevolent Fund and some of the funds raised may be allocated in part to support the work of Australian Cinema Pioneers.
- Some non-aligned independent Cinemas may also ask for a contribution and others may not.
This policy was implemented by many exhibitors in 2021 to assist them to continue to donate to many charities they traditionally support, including Motion Picture Industry Benevolent Societies.
This has not been a decision made by the National Executive Committee of Cinema Pioneers, as the Society does not dictate the conditions of use of the Cinema ID Card. The card is a privilege extended to Cinema Pioneers by Exhibitors and Distributors for which, on behalf of our members, we are very grateful.
If you are unsure of a Cinema’s policy, we strongly suggest you always check with the venue prior to your visit and perhaps carry a couple of $2 coins just in case, although many cinemas now allow you to donate by tapping a credit or debit card.
As we are advised of previously unlisted cinemas accepting the Pioneers card, we will add them to the listing in our next Bulletin. Member Bulletins are e-published twice-yearly, in February and August.
ROSS BARNARD, National Secretary/Treasurer, on behalf of the National Executive Committee