Meet Matt & Lauren

Matt has always known that he wanted to work in the movie industry. He earned a filmmaking degree from Temple University and has produced numerous independent short and feature films. After completing an internship in Los Angeles, he became fascinated by independent arthouse theaters, which shifted his focus toward the exhibition industry.

In 2014, Matt helped revive and run the Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, PA, where he developed a new business model, innovated an adaptable digital projection system, and created alternative programming - including Drive-In VHS Fest, one of the theater’s most successful annual events. His efforts are recognized in the 2016 documentary At the Drive-In.

In 2019, Matt co-founded The Moving Picture Cinema (TMPC), bringing professional-grade outdoor exhibition to unique, non-theatrical spaces in the greater Philadelphia area. As TMPC rapidly expanded, Matt left the Mahoning to run TMPC full-time. During the pandemic, he became a go-to outdoor exhibitor for regional indoor theaters, which had closed their auditoriums to the public, and has facilitated ongoing partnerships with local municipalities seeking recreational outlets.

In 2022, Matt and his partner, Lauren, purchased Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre. He has quickly established himself as an expert in the drive-in industry, appearing in USA Today, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Variety, and twice on NPR’s 1A program.

Lauren has a background in medical social work and healthcare marketing, holding a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University. She met Matt in 2018, when she was a customer at his first drive-in theater. In 2022, Lauren switched careers and joined The Moving Picture Cinema full-time, helping to market the company and expand operations. Lauren & Matt purchased Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre later that same year, cementing her transition into the movie exhibition industry.

At Shankweiler's, Lauren draws on her social work experience to engage with the community and build strong partnerships. She is committed to amplifying the missions of local nonprofits and small businesses through unique collaborations, expanding the theater's usage beyond traditional theatrical programming.

Lauren is on the Advisory Board for Cinema United, the Alumni Board for Lehigh-Carbon Community College, and the Board of Directors for Discover Lehigh Valley. She is also active with Women in Exhibition, the Independent Cinema Alliance, and Friends of the Parkland Library. She has been interviewed for several publications and broadcasts, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Los Angeles Times, and NPR's 1A program.

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