MIDDLEBURY — Competing with movie mega-plexes for viewers can be challenging for small community theaters like Middlebury’s Marquis. But owner Ben Wells is more than holding his own, thanks to a formula that includes working with local businesses and nonprofits to secure small independent films that shine a light on — and generate revenue for — environmental and social issues.
These so-called “one-off Wednesday” screenings allow the Marquis to showcase thought-provoking material that has a local following beyond the traditional blockbusters.
“There are a lot of the smaller independent films...