The American Cinematheque is not just the force behind film festivals like Beyond Fest or Bleak Week, they’re also in the business of saving historic theaters in Los Angeles. They’ve announced a partnership with Village Directors Circle (VDC), led by filmmaker Jason Reitman to operate and program the iconic Westwood Village Theater.

“Last year, some of the greatest living directors rallied to save the most beautiful movie theater in Los Angeles, the Village Theater in Westwood. The Village is a storied movie palace, and a cathedral to cinema. And with the American Cinematheque, it will have its congregation.” – Jason Reitman

“Partnering with the brilliant and virtuoso Village Directors Circle to renovate the Village Theater is an exciting milestone for the American Cinematheque. We are thrilled to bring our expertise in film programming to Westwood, breathing new life into this iconic venue. Our goal is to create a vibrant cultural hub that not only celebrates cinema but also enriches the community and welcomes audiences from all over Los Angeles and the world.” – Rick Nicita, American Cinematheque Chair

“The American Cinematheque shares the directors’ vision for showcasing new work, rediscovering classics, and building filmmaker-curated programs. The Village Theater has also been the home for show-stopping Hollywood premieres since 1930, and we’re committed to carrying that tradition forward. We want to give audiences a place to experience the films they love with the people they love.” – Jason Reitman

What Is The Westwood Village Theatre?

Photo Credit: Gensler LA

The theater, located in the center of Westwood Village in West Los Angeles, was recently acquired by the Village Directors Circle, whose partners comprise more than 30 celebrated filmmakers. The group has committed to raise funds to completely restore and remodel the famed movie palace into a multi-purpose screening and event facility with the goal to reopen in 2027. The American Cinematheque will program, manage and be the operating partner for the 1,000+-seat theater with active participation from the filmmakers.
 
The remodeled theater will be home to special screenings with in-person conversations, award season events, new theatrical releases, retrospectives and tributes, as well as AC’s long-established year-round programming and popular American Cinematheque film festivals such as Beyond Fest, Bleak Week, This Is Not a Fiction, Ultra Cinematheque 70 and exciting new festivals. The partners also intend to continue the famed theater’s nearly one-hundred-year legacy of hosting theatrical world premieres. The lobby will be used as a multi-purpose space for concessions, exhibits of artifacts from VDC members’ personal collections, retail kiosks, and an event space for premieres.

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