Leigh Cooney is a man with big ideas. They’re so big that he claimed The Guinness Book of World Records for the title of t the world’s smallest purpose-built theatre in 2021 when he opened The Little Prince Micro-Cinema in Stratford, Ontario.
Cooney is a self-taught artist, father of two, and an entrepreneur with an itch to create one-of-a-kind experiences.
With the success of the first theatre, he expanded in 2025 and opened a second microcinema in Cambridge’s Gaslight District. By the end of 2026, a third microcinema will transform from idea to reality, this time in Kitchener’s Belmont Village.
The term micro-cinema has been used since the 1990s to describe the intimate feeling of a small theatre, like watching a film at someone’s house.
Taking further inspiration from this term, Cooney is doing away with the vaudeville atmosphere of his first two theatres and channeling an ‘80s basement vibe for his newest microcinema. Set to open later this year, the third location will have also have 12 seats and a licenced concession stand with their unique in-house made popcorn. It will follow the same format, with a mixture of public screenings and private bookings.
Irish-born Canadian Cooney wasn’t sure about the basement idea at first; the cinema will be located on the ground floor. However, European “basements” might as well be the ground floor since their first floor is North America’s second. It’s all about the spin and story.
When asked about the inspiration for the third theatre, Cooney responded with two reasons, “The whole idea for me is reimagining what it means to go to the movies. There’s no reimagining for me if it’s just doing the same thing over and over again. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about young people, it’s that the ‘80s are cool.”
Finally, something that Millennials and younger generations can agree on. The ‘80s are indeed cool and nostalgia for simpler days is at an all-time high. Where else but an independent movie theatre could bring together people of all ages for a mutually enjoyable and memorable experience?
Belmont Village is also the perfect location for a micro-cinema. Walking distance for neighbourhood families, close by for university students in Uptown Waterloo, and a short ride on the ION for those in Downtown Kitchener.
The possibilities for exciting local partnerships are also plentiful. A Pint and a Picture with Arabella Park, Dinner and a Movie Date Night with Casa Rugantino, Janet Lynn’s Bistro or Raja Chettinad Fine Indian Cuisine. Croissants and Cinephiles for a movie club with Roux Bakehouse and Winnie’s Gluten-Free. Checkerboard Cartoon Mornings have a nice ring too.
The possibilities for exciting local partnerships are also plentiful. A Pint and a Picture with Arabella Park? Dinner and a Movie Date Night with Casa Rugantino, Janet Lynn’s Bistro or Raja Chettinad Fine Indian Cuisine? Croissants and Cinephiles for a movie club with Roux Bakehouse and Winnie’s Gluten-Free. Checkerboard Cartoon Mornings have a nice ring too!
With the holidays around the corner, the Stratford and Cambridge calendars fill up quickly with workplace holiday parties, family get togethers and friend nights booking private events. Nothing says festive like booking an entire theatre for your closest friends and family to get into the spirit and watch your favourite holiday flick.
Private events can also be booked online through their website. Hosts can choose packages with custom on-screen messages, bottomless popcorn and soft drinks, bookings for one to four people or bookings for up to 12 people throughout the week. “Cheap Tuesday” and “Last Minute” group booking options are also available. With thousands of films to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find one that delights the whole party.
Memberships are also available and cost $10 per month. They come with a variety of discounts: one free movie per month, $10 tickets to public screenings, 10 per cent discount on concessions and 5 per cent discount on private bookings, as well as VIP invites to curated films and special cinema events.
Each of Cooney’s micro-cinemas are great options for a unique wedding venue or wedding proposal, video game nights, corporate events, live music, stand-up comedy, open mics, cozy jazz evenings, mini-DJ raves and more.
As the end of 2026 draws near, it’s lights, camera, action for the newest micro-cinema soon to open in Belmont Village.
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