TAMPA – Sleeping Giant Fest and Sun-Ray Cinema are taking on the changing landscape of moviegoing, and they’ve brought the data to back it up.
In a partnership with the University of South Florida, interns have spent the fall semester gathering insight into how audiences feel about going to the movies and what they’re asking for next.
Their findings were blunt: Moviegoing doesn’t feel personal anymore. Audiences are less respectful. Everything is too expensive. Blockbusters take all the oxygen. Communal energy is missing.
Sun-Ray Cinema is designed to answer those concerns point by point:
- “It’s not personal anymore.” – Sun-Ray leans hard into personal. No polished hype. Just a real, local crew who loves movies and treats moviegoers like they matter.
- “Prices have gone up.” – Sun-Ray keeps tickets and concessions offers accessible prices.
- “Audience behavior has gotten worse.” – Sun-Ray enforces respectful cinema: No seating after 30 minutes into a show, minors must be accompanied by a guardian and guest experience is protected.
- “It’s all blockbusters.” – Sun-Ray programs repertory, cult classics, 35mm prints, movie marathons, and new releases from smaller studios, playing trailers (no more than 10 minutes) for all types of releases.
Founded in Jacksonville in 2011 and now open at 12332 University Mall Court in Tampa for just over a year, Sun-Ray Cinema is an independent space specializing in curated programming, a house-made menu and cocktails.
Sun-Ray Cinema has recently completed major upgrades, such as new reclining seating, laser projection for bright, crisp picture, and immersive sound.
“We aim to be the antidote to what moviegoers have come to expect,” said Shana David-Massett, board member of Sleeping Giant and co-owner of Sun-Ray Cinema. “The data from USF students affirms what we suspected: people want real connection. So we’re doubling down, both on the personal and on world-class presentation.”
Upcoming Events
- Gorge of the Rings (Dec. 13): All “Lord of the Rings” films in order, with optional Hobbit-style dining.
- Original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: (Jan. 17:) A slice-for-slice faceoff with local pizzeria Slicedelic.
