The Olympia Film Society plans to spend roughly $6.5 million over five to seven years renovating the Capitol Theater, a 1924 downtown landmark it has owned since 2010.
"To fully address the theater's needs from roof to basement, OFS is preparing for approximately $6.5 million in capital improvements over the next 5-7 years," Executive Director Audrey Henley said in a profile published by OlyArts.
The society has already completed a new roof, electrical and mechanical upgrades and stained-glass restoration since buying the building at 206 5th Ave. SE. The 754-seat theater, designed by Olympia architect Joseph Wohleb, has survived a 1937 fire and the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. It sits within the Downtown National Historic District and is listed as "Historic Contributing" by the Olympia Historical Society.
The Olympia Film Society (OFS), founded in 1980, made the Capitol Theater its home in 1986. The organization has grown to 730 members and 225 active volunteers who run projection equipment, staff concerts and maintain the building. Volunteer hours can earn free film tickets and behind-the-scenes access, according to Henley.
The renovation plans come alongside a busy fall and winter calendar.
The Olympia Library Film Club launches its "Reels & Restorations" series Sunday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. with a free 4K screening of Michael Mann's Manhunter. The screening includes a recorded introduction from freelance film journalist Brandon Streussnig. Free tickets are available at the Olympia and West Olympia libraries, or patrons can show a library card at the box office.
On Nov. 6 at 7 p.m., the theater hosts Locals Only 2026, a free festival of short films by Pacific Northwest filmmakers.
Rob Patrick, the society's director of programming, said Locals Only remains one of OFS's most popular programs for the regional talent it features. Doors open at 6 p.m. Donations are accepted.
The lineup includes eight shorts. Among them: Katie Wallen's The Curse of the Were-Alien, Lucia Cecchetto's Still As We Were and Jake and Danielle Morgan-Scharhon's Top, a 15-minute film about a man navigating gender-affirming surgery.
The Olympia Symphony joins the schedule Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. with a live orchestral performance alongside the 1982 animated film The Snowman.
Conductor Molly Turner leads the program, which also features cellist Alex Chen, winner of the symphony's 2026 Young Artists Competition junior division. Tickets cost $20 for OFS members and $23.25 for non-members, according to the OFS event page.
Individual OFS memberships start at $60 per year. Dual memberships cost $100, and family memberships run $200.
Members receive discounted admission, a 20 percent concession discount and loyalty points.
The Manhunter screening at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, is the next event on the Capitol Theater calendar.
