During the pandemic, film enthusiasts Keith Brown and Josh Ingram would occasionally break out of quarantine to meet up and take in a film together.
It was during one of these hangouts when they had the idea of starting a movie screening pop-up as a way to see some of their favourite movies on the big screen.
"In the beginning, it was purely for selfish reasons," Brown said with a laugh.
"We just wanted to see our favourite movies on the big screen. The fact that other people wanted to come see them too was amazing."
It was through a mutual acquaintance that the pair learned of Jamie MacDonald, another enthusiast whose silver screen goals aligned with theirs.
"In a way, our two groups were stumbling in the dark, both with flashlights exploring the same cave. At a certain point, we banded together to make it as successful as we could," MacDonald said.
The forum offers an enriched viewing experience with films typically being prefaced with interviews from actors in the film or interviews with notable film critics and podcast hosts.
"For Texas Chainsaw Massacre, actress Teri McMinn sent us a fantastic intro," Brown said.
"I'm always blown away that these people agree to do these, for the most part without hesitation, and without any sort of monetary gain."
Ingram said they weren't sure how many people would come out for the shows.
"You get into something like this hoping to get enough people . . . to create a crowd, an experience," he said.
"We ask participants if it's their first or second time. To see that it's always 50/50 really shows that there is an interest in a community that can be built out of doing something like this," Ingram said.
"The energy has been awesome, both before and after screenings," MacDonald said.
"I'm a bit different. Some of my favourite moments are when we, as a group, cut the fat and attempt to get to the core of what we're trying to accomplish by screening specific movies.
"I like some of the more administrative side of working as part of a three-piece. I just love the banter and discussion around what movie are we going to choose and how are we going to make it as strong a screening as we can," he said.
"I have people come up to me in public and thank me," Brown said.
"It definitely feels like we're doing something right."
And the numbers speak for themselves.
"We have sold out every show," said Ingram.
"We have people in Algoma, Iron Bridge, a guy drove from Thessalon in a snowstorm to watch Misery, which is hilarious just to be able to say that," Ingram said.
"We're filling seats and having a great time," he said.
"At the being of every screening we say this thing we stumbled upon: That's Keith, that's Jamie, I'm Josh. We are the Reel Film Forum, and so are you . . . and that's how we really feel about it.
"We're getting to know our friends, our community, just like we've gotten to know each other."
Being at the Bushplane Museum has been great, the guys said, especially when some of the staff have gotten in on the action.
"They've been doing themed drinks with the bar really matching our vibe," Ingram said.
Brown called the Bushplane Museum a "fantastic partner."
"They are super supportive, and we are so grateful."
Tickets are sold out for Saturday's showing of The Big Lebowski.
To catch the next screening or make a recommendation, find the group on Instagram or Facebook by searching for the Reel Film Forum.