As 2020 winds down, independent Bay Area movie theaters continue to struggle with the impact of COVID-19 closures. The loss of studio blockbusters from the holiday release calendar, along with continued concerns about safety and other issues, has made it unlikely that these theaters will open any time soon.

But when it comes to riding out the pandemic, locally owned theaters have some advantages over more deep-pocketed national chains. They enjoy community support from movie-loving audiences and the ability to get creative with their programming, screen movies outdoors, host special events and offer other services,  including food pick-up and delivery. Here are some of the ways Bay Area movie theaters are bringing the entertainment and more to fans.

Movies under the stars

3Below Theatres’ “Up on the Roof” movie-and-dinner series: The  downtown San Jose theater has launched a four-week series of classic films, through Nov. 1, that focus on socially relevant themes, such as racial justice, women’s empowerment and the experiences of Latinx and LGTBT people. Films being screened range from Oscar winners “Moonlight,” “Selma,” and “Milk,” to documentaries, such as documentary “RBG,” about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and to family fare, including Pixar’s “Coco.” Audiences, in socially distance bubbles, also can dine on dinner and snacks prepared from the theater’s cafe. 3belowtheaters.com/up-on-the-roof-intro/

Alameda Theatre’s pop-up drive in movies: The downtown Alameda cineplex hosts a showing of “The Empire Strikes Back” Friday and Saturday night at the Monarch Street parking lot at Alameda Point. Gates open at 6:15 p.m, and the movie starts at 7:30. www.alamedatheatres.com/

Dinner and drive-in in San Francisco: The Roxie, Balboa and Vogue theaters are partnering with La Cocina restaurant to offer dinner and socially distanced movie viewing cars at Pier 70 on three Saturdays, Oct. 17, 24 and 31. The movies include “Blade Runner,” “Blindspotting” and 1978 version of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” pier70sf.com/whats-on/dinner-and-a-drive-in/

Virtual cinema

Distributors of independent and foreign films have made new selections available to independent theaters to show virtually. People can get access to the movies immediately by going to the websites of their favorite local theater. Up to 50 percent of ticket sales go to the theaters. The following theaters are offering virtual cinema:

Orinda Theatre: /www.orindamovies.com
The Roxie Theatre, San Francisco: www.roxie.com/
Vine Cinema, Livermore: www.vinecinema.com
Smith Rafael Film Center, San Rafael: rafaelfilm.cafilm.org/

Pop corn, dinner or more

New Parkway’s meal delivery service: The Oakland theater’s cafe will put together a crate of healthy, prepared meals that people can eat that night or keep for a few days. Home delivery service is available to residents of Oakland and Berkeley and other East Bay cities along the I-80 corridor from Albany to San Leandro. People living outside these cities can pick up a crate from 4-7 p.m daily at the theater, 474 24th Street.

Orinda Theatre’s Friday night wine and corn: For $20, people can pick up a bottle of Chardonnay, house Cabernet Sauvignon or merlot blend, along with a tub of pop and red vines. People can pre order or drop in from 5:30 to 7 p.m., call or text 925-413-9762 or email Derek@zemrak.com.

Vine Cinema, Livermore: From 1-5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, people can pick up tubs of pop corn, cotton candy, root beer floats and seasonably themed slushies from its adjacent cafe: 1722 First Street, Livermore

Special programming

Voice-Over Actors Hall of Fame inaugural ceremony: The Orinda Theatre is honoring voice-over actors, who have provided their talent to classic cartoons and animated features for nearly 100 years, with a special ceremony 1 p.m. Saturday. The virtual ceremony is to inaugurate the theater’s Voice-Over Actors Hall of Fame. The inaugural class includes Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny, Mae Questel, known for playing Betty Boop and Olive Oyl in the 1930s, and Jim Cummings, the talent behind Winnie the Pooh. The event kicks off with a Q&A with actors Bob Bergen (Porky Pig) and Debi Derryberry (Jimmy Neutron). Stream the ceremony live at www.VOHOF.org.

Film noir master class: For six Tuesday evenings, starting Oct. 13, cinephiles can join in a virtual version of “I Wake Up Dreaming,” the annual San Francisco film noir festival. Viewers  join 90-minute Zoom sessions with a film expert to discuss two films that have been made available for viewing. Classes offered on a sliding scale of $5-$20 and free to members of the nonprofit theater.

Private screenings: Some independent theaters, including the New Parkway in Oakland, are starting to rent out their auditoriums for small parties to use. Contact the theaters for more information.