Nickelodeon Theatre Columbia

The Nickelodeon Theatre – which was founded in 1979 by Carl Davis and Linda O’Connor at the University of South Carolina – has a recurring series called “Lowbrow Cinema Explosion,” which screens cult classics such as Master of the Flying Guillotine.

The theater also serves as a gathering place for lovers of film and critical dialogue in the Columbia, South Carolina area. Originally located in a converted bank at 937 Main Street, the Nickelodeon moved to its new home in the former Fox Theatre at 1607 Main Street in August of 2012. In its early days, the Nick relied on a dedicated volunteer staff who did everything from providing audio equipment for the theater to popping popcorn. The past ten years have seen tremendous growth, including an expansion in staff and the launch of a new slate of media education programs and curated film series. Additionally, the Nick now serves as a major cultural anchor on Columbia’s Main Street.

The Nick’s programming includes a mix of first run indie films, curated series and one-off screenings of films of relevance to the local community.

The Nickelodeon is also the presenter of the annual Indie Grits Film Festival – an annual showcase of the best in Southern DIY film and culture – which was named one of the “20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by Moviemaker Magazine. The Theater is also home to the Helen Hill Media Education Center, providing opportunities for members of the community to acquire stronger critical viewing and production skills.