Vidiots Is Making A Comeback In LA With A New Storefront And Independent Theatre

Vidiots is coming back to Los Angeles! The iconic video store-turned-film nonprofit organization is set to relaunch in L.A.’s Eagle Rock neighborhood, opening its doors in the fall of 2020.

The nonprofit announced on Monday it would restore the 90-year-old, 200 seat Eagle Theatre back to its original purpose with a state of the art sound and projection. The entertainment community space, complete with an independent theater and a storefront, will offer a full program of repertory titles, indies, hard-to-find titles, classics, and community-driven programs. The storefront will house Vidiots’ 50,000-plus DVD, BluRay and VHS collection for rental.

As far as the community-driven space, the new Vidiots will also have a multi-purpose second screening room for film programs, educational workshops, and special events, partnering with local food and beverage venues to provide a consistently changing menu.

“Vidiots relaunching on the cusp of our 35th birthday is a triumph for Los Angeles film history and cements the legacy of Vidiots founders Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber as innovators in L.A. film culture,” Maggie Mackay, Vidiots executive director said. “Bringing the Eagle Theatre back and providing L.A. with a long-needed new film space is thrilling.”

“We’re thrilled that Vidiots is moving into this next chapter and that our unique library of films will once again be made available to the public, especially in this era of streaming where choices are increasingly limited,” Polinger and Tauber added. “Vidiots at the Eagle Theatre is a truly exciting and ambitious plan that revolves around our commitment to archival preservation, education, and accessibility while maintaining and growing our passionate community of film lovers.”

According to Deadline, Vidiots is currently fundraising and looking for donors. Founding members to date include Katie Aselton and Mark Duplass, Jess Wu Calder and Keith Calder, Emily Cook, Mackenzie Davis, Rian Johnson, and Karina Longworth, Phil Lord, Nate Moore, and Morgan Neville. Director Jason Reitman is donating a 35mm projection system.

“Los Angeles should have more movie theaters, not fewer, and Vidiots has come to give all us punch drunk film lovers another place to call home where we can roam the racks,” Reitman stated. “Thank you! So grateful to be a small part of this evolving institution.”

Following its relaunch, Vidiots is looking to partner with Art House Convergence, Film Independent, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, Outfest, Oxy Arts, and the Occidental Media Arts & Culture Department, Sundance Institute, UCLA Film & Television Archive, Women in Film and Vidéothèque for programming.