Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman has called on the government to help the show go on for local independent cinemas.
Ms Templeman has joined a campaign by Independent Cinemas Australia to put pressure on the Morrison Government to extend JobKeeper to the sector beyond the current March deadline.
"Local independent cinemas have been hit hard by COVID-19. Audiences are down, release and promotion of movies is down, but the costs incurred for managing COVID-safe practices - like extra cleaning - are up," said Ms Templeman.
"Those who have been able to keep operating because of JobKeeper are about to have it ripped away in March, and with a lack of blockbuster movies in the pipeline to draw in the crowds, many independent cinemas are concerned about their ability to stay open and keep local jobs.
"I love going to the cinema, and I was lucky to be able to see several movies at Glenbrook Cinema over the summer break with my mum, including The Dry and Misbehaviour.
"The Blue Mountains is lucky enough to have three independent cinemas - Glenbrook, Mount Vic Flicks, and The Edge at Katoomba - while the Hawkesbury has Richmond Regent Twin Cinemas.
"Unfortunately the Morrison Government has forgotten the plight of our independent cinemas," said Ms Templeman.
"Independent cinemas are a vital part of the screen ecosystem, bringing big movies to our region and also helping Australian stories reach the wider community. According to Independent Cinemas Australia, many cinemas are in danger of going under if they do not receive ongoing support beyond the JobKeeper cliff at the end of March.
"The Prime Minister can't ignore this sector and its pleas for help. Independent cinemas provide communities like ours with both local jobs and Australian stories - both of these are too important to lose. It's time for the Morrison Government to act."
But Liberal Senator Marise Payne indicated the government is unlikely to extend JobKeeper for independent cinema operators.
"The Morrison Government has said consistently that JobKeeper is a temporary program designed to taper as economic confidence and momentum builds," she said.
"Our economic recovery plan includes a range of stimulus measures, including personal income tax cuts, the JobMaker Hiring Credit, the instant asset write-off and a of pipeline of infrastructure projects."
Senator Payne said key economic indicators show the country's "comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic is underway".
"Consumer confidence is up, 734,000 jobs have been created over the six months and unemployment is down."
She said the theatrical release of films is a "matter of negotiation for cinema operators, film studios and their distributors and the government has no current plans to legislate in this area".