In line with government restrictions, Echuca's Paramount theatre has re-opened to the public for afternoon and nightly sessions.
Paramount general manager Bec Lillico said it was exciting to see the doors open again.
“It's been a rough couple of months,” she said.
“We were able to briefly open during the last easing of restrictions, but we have spent the majority of the year closed, and that has been tough on everyone involved.
“Thankfully now with what we are seeing across the state we are able to open up with the restrictions in place.”
The state moved to allow up to 20 people per area in cinemas from November 8, with maximum groups of 10.
This will further expand on November 22, with up to 25 per cent capacity of each area in groups of 20.
Bec said the theatre hoped to see further easing of restrictions soon.
“It's a good start for us,” she said.
“But we are waiting for news things are going to ease more. We opened Friday afternoon, running evenings and weekends on modified opening hours.”
But she said opening a theatre during the pandemic came with some serious challenges.
“There aren't as many films coming out,” she said.
“The pandemic slowed the whole process down, so we have limited films coming. It's also impacted the number of staff we can have.
“But things are starting to look up, the films will start coming and we will be allowed more people in soon. This is a good start for us.”
19°C