The Parkway Theatre is another victim of the pandemic; board contemplates venue’s future

The executive director of the Maryland Film Festival said Monday that the organization “had no other choice” but to close the Parkway Theatre, less than six years after the historic venue was rehabilitated and reopened. “People may think we had other choices, but we really didn’t,” Sandra L. Gibson said. “This is the result of the enduring pandemic.” The Banner reported Saturday that the Parkway will scale back operations in early 2023 and pause its screenings and programs to find a new sustainable model for the film festival, which they hope will return for its 25th anniversary in 2024. Ten staff members — three full-time and seven part-time — have been laid off.