Comment on Denver Film Society’s antitrust lawsuit against Landmark Theatres can move forward, judge rules

An antitrust lawsuit filed by four independent film exhibitors, including the Denver Film Society, against Landmark Theatres can move forward following a ruling by a U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The federal suit, filed in September of 2017, alleges that the Landmark theater chain fosters unlawful anti-competitive practices by coercing film distributors for the exclusive right to screen art, independent, foreign and documentary films. The Denver Film Society, along with Cinema Detroit, West End Cinema and the Avalon Theatre (the latter two of Washington, D.C.), accuse Landmark Theatres of using its market muscle to keep them from showing certain first-run movies in markets where they compete against the big art-house chain. The plaintiffs are seeking relief, a jury trial and monetary damages. “We’re pleased with the court’s decision in favor of our lawsuit moving forward,” the plaintiffs said in a news release Monday.