6 cinemas outside of a mall that film buffs will love

Looking for a movie experience that doesn't involve going to the top floor of a giant mall filled with distractions and temptations? All around Metro Manila, smaller cinemas aka microcinemas have began catering to the need of film enthusiasts.

These theaters not only provide cinephiles an inviting environment, they also screen movies that you won't find in bigger theaters, or those that leave them way too soon.

1. Cinema '76 Film Society

From a cozy nook in San Juan, Cinema '76 recently expanded and opened a second branch in Quezon City. It's proof that the Philippine cinema is getting more and more love as filmmaker after filmmaker bring to the screen interesting stories for the Filipino audience.

Cinema '76 is the place to catch the best of local movies, from award-winning romantic comedies to thought-provoking dramas to indies that we hardly see in the big screens.

Like your mind should be when watching films, the seating is open and there are no arm rests to separate one viewer from another. Chill at the couch and enjoy.

160 Luna Mencias St. Brgy. Addition Hills, San Juan del Monte, Unit 1, 3/F Anonas LRT City Center, Aurora Blvd., Bagumbayan, Quezon City. +632 6375076. Facebook. 

2. Cinema Centenario

It's only half a year old, but already Cinema Centenerio has attracted a loyal following. For the wave of film buffs flocking to see the best, Cinema Centenerio's solid lineup of restored Filipino classics is the shore.

They've earned a gold star for screening Danny Zialcita's masterpiece "T-Bird at Ako", which really is a one-of-a-kind gem. Re-run, please?

95 Maginhawa St., Quezon City. +63945 5367054. Facebook.

3. IChill Theater Cafe

If a couch isn't laid-back enough for you, try IChill Theater Cafe. Here, you can sit on the floor and enjoy sweet treats inspired by movies (from "Shrek" to "Dracula").

IChill Theater Cafe holds a film festival featuring foreign movies (you know, the serious ones with subtitles) and it's also the place to go for directors and actors to meet. Get ready for your closeup as they do hold auditions here!

Dos Castillas Street, Manila. +632 3135321. Facebook.

4. Cinematheque Centre Manila

There's the lovely theater run by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Cinematheque Centre Manila.

There are regular screenings of amazing movies and they also hold workshops and lectures. It's heaven and haven for the people behind the camera and the fans of their work.

855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila. Contact: +632 2569908 loc 131. Facebook.

5. The Yard Streetfood Cinema

This foodpark is littered with kiosks that explode with puns from movies, so if you're into that, you're going to have a blast.

The Yard Streetfood Cinema offers that fun, outdoor movie experience for folks who are getting cabin fever and it's hard to tell which the bonus is: that you get to see a movie or you get to eat tons of food.

16 Timog Ave, Brgy Laging Handa, Diliman, Quezon City. +63917 8056939. Facebook.

6. Black Maria Cinema

Barely one year old, Mandaluyong's Black Maria Cinema has become a go-to among filmmakers and enthusiasts craving for a good film experience. There are only 22 cinema chairs in the fully-airconditioned cinema that boasts of 2k Digital Cinema Projection, 7.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, 20-feet Silver-White Screen and can actually fit up to 80 movie-goers.

 

A post shared by Black Maria Cinema (@blackmariacinema) on

Dec 18, 2017 at 9:52pm PST

What of their lineup? It's shown Respeto, Siargao, Smaller and Smaller Circles, and Lawaran, Citizen Jake, Miss Bulalacao, and 2 Cool 2B 4gotten. And the best part? It's across the beloved goto house, Goto Believe!

779 San Rafael St., SQ Film Laboratories Building, Plainview, Mandaluyong. +632 7824566. Facebook.

— Aya Tantiangco/LA, GMA News