Ontario: Film.ca Cinemas, a popular Oakville movie theatre, has announced the suspension of all current and future South Asian film screenings after being targeted twice in a week, first by an arson attack and then by a shooting.

According to Halton Regional Police, the first incident took place in the early hours of September 25, when two masked suspects used a flammable liquid to ignite a fire at the theatre’s main entrance. Security footage released by Film.ca Cinemas showed the suspects dressed in black and wearing masks as they poured gasoline and set it ablaze. Although the flames caused exterior damage, the fire was contained, and no injuries were reported since the cinema was closed at the time.

Barely a week later, at approximately 1:50 a.m. on October 2, another suspect approached the cinema’s front doors and fired several rounds from a handgun into the closed building. The shooter is described as a male with dark skin, a heavy build, and dressed entirely in black with a face covering. Again, the attack occurred after hours, and no one was harmed.

In a press release issued after the shooting, Film.ca Cinemas management asserted that both incidents appear to be directly linked to their screening of South Asian films. The theatre specifically cited “disagreements within the South Asian film industry” as a possible motive behind these targeted attacks. Citing “an abundance of caution,” they announced the immediate cancellation of screenings for Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, They Call Him OG, and all future South Asian releases.

“We understand that these incidents may be connected to disagreements within the South Asian film industry. While we want to be clear that we do not wish to bow to threats, the situation has escalated to the point where we must take every precaution to protect our community,” the theatre stated.

Halton Regional Police are actively investigating both the arson and the shooting as coordinated, targeted acts. Detectives have released detailed suspect descriptions and are appealing to the public for information that could aid their inquiry. Extra security measures have been put in place at the cinema, and management has reaffirmed its commitment to safety while working closely with law enforcement.