A Micro-Cinema In Pilsen? Fundraising Underway To Open An Independent Movie Theater

A group of friends is crowdfunding $50,000 to establish Tesseract Cinema, an independent movie theater and café in Pilsen, Chicago. The founders, led by Josh Oakley, aim to create a micro-cinema that showcases local filmmakers while providing affordable tickets and concessions. The theater will be employee-owned, ensuring that all staff have an equal voice in decision-making. Plans include themed events and matinee screenings designed for local families and teens, fostering community engagement. Oakley, who has dreamed of owning a theater in Chicago since childhood, chose Pilsen due to its lack of independent cinemas compared to the North Side.

The cinema’s name reflects a desire to connect films across genres and time periods, inspired by time travel themes in literature and film. Fundraising efforts are actively ongoing, with hopes of opening by spring 2026. Tesseract Cinema plans to host pop-up events in the lead-up to its official opening.