Alliance Cinemas’ 1999 expansion plans include six more screens in Toronto, four screens in Victoria, five screens in Calgary, and six screens in Edmonton. The buildup is worth $5 million, according to Alliance Cinemas president Leonard Schein.

Last June, Alliance Cinemas and Famous Players announced a joint venture to create a national circuit of art house theaters. The three-year project was estimated to be worth $30 million. Alliance Atlantis Communications holds a 51% stake in the project and Viacom-owned Famous Players holds 49%.

Currently, Alliance Cinemas operates three theaters in Vancouver (total of seven screens) and two theaters (six screens) in Toronto which focus on foreign, Canadian and upscale independent films. aac’s distribution arm funnels some of its product through the circuit, as well as exhibiting films from other suppliers.

The next Toronto theater will be housed in a new building in the Beaches area and will boast stadium seating, digital sound, a cafe and live music in the lobby. The opening is set for April or May.

The Victoria and Calgary theaters will be housed in existing Famous Players theaters – The University and Bankers Hall.

The circuit will be extended in the year 2000 to Ottawa (six screens) as well as additional theaters in downtown Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Estimated budget of the Y2K expansion is $10 million. There are no plans to move into any other provinces at this point, says Schein.