About The Screening Room

When they met in 1977, founders Andrew Mungo and Nancy Langsam realized they had a common goal to work together and open an arts cinema. At first, they began a film festival at the Disabled American Veterans hall in Newburyport, which turned into a regular series at the YMCA, and after five tenacious years, in 1982 they opened The Screening Room at its current location on State Street. From there, in their own words, it was “glory and fame.”

Click here to read a history of The Screening Room from 1977-1982 by Andrew Mungo

After seeing the theater through the digital revolution and reaching a thriving 38th year in business, Andrew and Nancy decided in spring of 2019 that it was time to find new operators. But in 2020 the coronavirus struck, statewide shutdowns went into effect, and their plans were put on hold.

In June of 2020, Becca and Ben Fundis heard from a friend that the cinema was for sale, and when they drove out to Newburyport to visit the space, they fell in love with The Screening Room’s charm. In July, they collaborated with Andrew and Nancy to purchase the theater, and by September, they found themselves making an unanticipated move to Massachusetts.

The couple re-opened The Screening Room on October 9th, 2020 with Miranda July’s Kajillionaire and remained open for just three months before closing again due to the rising risk of Covid in the community over the winter. With the rollout of vaccines and the reversal of state restrictions, they reopened the theater once again on June 18th, 2021 with In the Heights, and the rest is yet to come…

Click here to read more about Ben & Becca