On Monday, Alamo Drafthouse announced significant cuts in headcount, affecting 25% of its hourly workers and 9% of its corporate team. Management at Sony Pictures Entertainment, which recently acquired Alamo from its founder Tim League, cited the expected downturn in box office receipts in the first quarter as a primary reason for the cuts, saying that the new layoffs were part of a seasonal turnover and would be focused on a “last in, first out” basis.
Anyone receiving a pink slip would be welcome to reapply for a position later in the Spring when attendance is expected to pick back up. However, the “seasonal turnover” explanation was challenged by some who were laid off, such as projectionists who handle 35mm film and veteran film programmers who schedule alternative and repertory titles.
Several laid-off Alamo employees created a Reddit thread to air their grievances, citing the sudden notice and what they characterized as leadership’s “disingenuous” rationale. Time will tell whether Sony remains committed to maintaining Alamo’s standing as offering unique film programming and a high-quality space for cinephiles.