A Celebration of the Theatrical Experience
The American Cinematheque is a cultural institution based in Los Angeles dedicated to celebrating the art of the moving image. Founded in 1984, it is a non-profit, member-supported organization that operates as an exhibitor, presenting a wide and eclectic range of film programming to the public on the big screen. Unlike a traditional museum that archives films, a cinematheque’s primary mission is to create a vibrant, communal space for the public to experience and discuss cinema in a theatrical setting.
Historic Hollywood Venues
The American Cinematheque is renowned for operating out of two of L.A.’s most historic movie palaces, which it saved and restored:
- The Egyptian Theatre: Located on Hollywood Boulevard, this 1922 landmark was the site of the very first Hollywood movie premiere (Robin Hood starring Douglas Fairbanks). The Cinematheque acquired the theater in the 1990s, preventing its demolition and completing a full restoration. In 2020, Netflix purchased the theater and entered into a partnership where the Cinematheque continues to provide its signature cultural programming on the weekends.
- The Aero Theatre: A 1940s Streamline Moderne theater located in Santa Monica, which the Cinematheque has operated since 2005.
- The Los Feliz Theatre: In 2021, the Cinematheque expanded to a third venue, taking over operations of this 1930s neighborhood theater.
Signature Programming and Cultural Impact
The Cinematheque is best known for its curated programming, which goes far beyond what is available at a standard commercial theater. Its schedule includes:
- In-Person Tributes: Their hallmark events are screenings accompanied by live Q&A sessions with the filmmakers and actors involved in the production, providing audiences with direct access to the creators.
- Retrospectives and Restorations: Comprehensive series that explore the work of a specific director, actor, or genre, often featuring brand new restorations of classic films.
- Diverse Curation: Screenings of foreign films, independent cinema, documentaries, and cult classics, often on rare archival 35mm prints.
By presenting films as they were meant to be seen—on a big screen with an engaged audience—the American Cinematheque plays a vital role in preserving film culture in the heart of the movie industry.