VIDIOTS FOUNDATION

L.A.’S NON-PROFIT VIDEO STORE SINCE 1985, NOW OPEN AT THE EAGLE THEATRE!

OUR MISSION

A one-of-a-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and everyone curious about cinema, Vidiots is dedicated to inspiring human interaction around film through communal theatrical presentations and  preserving, growing, and providing access to its diverse DVD, BluRay, and rare VHS collection, showcasing the work of emerging, master, and underrepresented artists, and producing unique and affordable film events, and vital education programs.

Vidiots Foundation has a longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and access going back to our founding in 1985. We profoundly value and strive to reflect all the communities we serve, in one of the most diverse counties in the United States. Representation, inclusivity, equity, and fostering a feeling of belonging for all, have been at the forefront of our work for 35 years. Our Founders began the organization in order to tap the deep well of artistry from all over the world, and showcase the widest array of artists and points of view from all backgrounds in an affordable and equitable way. This passion remains our guiding light in a fierce commitment to building an equitable, inclusive, anti-racist, anti-misogynist film culture open and accessible to all.

OUR CODE OF CONDUCT

Since our opening in 1985, Vidiots has been an environment free of harassment, discrimination, racism, sexism, and threatening or disrespectful behavior. We reserve the right to revoke, without notice or refund, Membership, and access to our events and facilities to those who engage in any such conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all patrons and participants on our social media channels. Guests, staff, volunteers, vendors, and all participants are held to the same standards.

OUR HISTORY

A Los Angeles film space founded by women, Vidiots was opened in Santa Monica as an alternative video store in 1985 by L.A. natives Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber. For nearly three decades, Vidiots thrived, growing its unique collection, and serving a far-reaching, diverse, and devoted community of film lovers.

In 2012, reacting to seismic changes in the film landscape, Vidiots became a 501(c)3 non-profit. 2015 brought two major donors to Vidiots — longtime customer Dr. Leonard Lipman, and Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures, which joined the organization at a pivotal moment, bringing a much-needed wave of new awareness, and allowing Vidiots to keep its doors open to the public. In 2017, in the wake of rising costs in Santa Monica, Vidiots’ Board of Directors elected to store the 50,000-title collection, and shutter the iconic storefront. With the unwavering support of Annapurna Pictures, which went on to umbrella Vidiots for two years, the organization was able to devise an extensive plan for sustainable relaunch in a new home.

Vidiots’ new home, in the heart of Northeast L.A., opened in May 1929 as The Yosemite Theatre. The Yosemite became The Eagle Theatre in 1940 and went on to serve generations of audiences for 70 years before going dark and transitioning to a church in the early 2000s.

OUR PRESENT

With almost-11,000 square feet of entertainment, social, and educational space, Vidiots is now open seven-days-a-week, offering a full calendar of screenings and special programs, the full video store with DVD and BluRay rentals, concessions, and a light menu with beer and wine. The Eagle Theatre, with 271 seats, 35mm  and DCP projection, and state-of-the-art sound, provides flexibility for a variety of eclectic events, signature series, and tastemaker screenings. A second, smaller, flexible community and event space, the MUBI Microcinema, with DCP projection and state-of-the-art sound, is ideal for screenings, education programs, workshops, community events, and small receptions. 

OUR SUPPORTERS

A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Vidiots is fueled, funded, and entirely made possible by an expansive family of generous donors and supporters who have, to date, contributed countless hours of expertise and $2,400,000 to relaunch Vidiots and rehabilitate the Eagle.

Vidiots Founding Members, donors who support at $5,000 and above, truly made the dream of relaunching Vidiots a reality and continue to help us thrive and sustain. Founding Members include Miguel Arteta, Katie Aselton + Mark Duplass, Ike Barinholtz, Lake Bell, Jess Wu Calder + Keith Calder, Lily Collins + Charlie McDowell, Mackenzie Davis, Jay Duplass, Mary Elizabeth Ellis + Charlie Day, Carlos López Estrada + Kelly Marie Tran, Mike Flanagan, Liz Hannah, Jerrika Hinton, Rian Johnson + Karina Longworth, Nate Moore, Phil Lord, Max Minghella, Ify Nwadiwe, Patton Oswalt, Amy Pascal, Aubrey Plaza, Paul Scheer + June Diane Raphael, Sharon Van Etten, Samara Weaving + James Warden, Jessica Williams, Alex Winter, Elijah Wood + Mette-Marie Kongsved.

Our corporate supporters include many of the most innovative and community-oriented companies in Los Angeles and beyond, they include Naming Rights Sponsor MUBI, and Corporate Founding Members A24, Alamo Drafthouse, All Facts, Cinetic Media, Criterion Collection, Final Draft, Genuine Article Pictures, GKIDS, Kindman & Co., Letterboxd, Level Forward, Lionsgate, Magnolia Pictures, Monkeypaw Productions, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Paramount Pictures, Pascal Pictures, Pipeline Media Group, Shout! Factory, Sony Pictures, Superbloom, UTA, Utopia Media, Vinegar Syndrome, WGAW, WME, Ways & Means, Zeiss. 

Current and future community partners include The Black List, The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Cinema Eye Honors, Film Independent, Outfest, Oxy Arts and Occidental Media Arts + Culture Department, Seed + Spark, Sundance Institute, Transgender Film Center, UCLA Film + Television Archive, Vidéothèque, Women in Film.