Cinefamily

Cinefamily
Outside the Cinefamily, Night
Address	611 N. Fairfax Ave.
City	Los Angeles
Country	USA
Opened	October 31, 2007
Current use	movie screenings, events
Website
www.cinefamily.org

The Cinefamily is a non-profit American cinematheque located in Los Angeles’ Fairfax District. It is housed in the former site of the historic Silent Movie Theatre,^[1] the remnants of whose signage are still incorporated onto the façade of the theater.

Cinefamily follows a member-based ticketing system by which a tax-deductible donation provides universal access to all screenings and events. There is also an individual ticket system in effect for non-members, or those who do not make a pledge commitment.^[2]

History

Cinefamily was co-founded in 2007 by Hadrian Belove, former owner of a specialty video store,^[3] and brothers Sammy and Dan Harkham, owners of the building and the nearby Family bookstore.^[4] Cinefamily officially opened its doors on October 31, 2007.

Programming

Cinefamily is known for its innovative and broad range of programs, from early silent to contemporary films,^[5] live comedy, live music, found footage, mixed media and other special events, and extended form post-screening Q&As.^[4] They have mounted original retrospectives on filmmakers Jim Henson, Jerry Lewis,^[6] John Cassavetes,^[7] and Andrzej Zulawski^[8] and have commissioned live film scores by musicians such as No Age,^[9] Stephin Merritt^[10] and Espers.^[11]

Some of Cinefamily’s most popular original programming includes Animation Breakdown,^[12] Don’t Knock the Rock,^[13] Everything is Festival!,^[14] The Adventures of Pete and Pete^[15] and Space Ghost Coast-to-Coast^[16] reunion tributes, and women-only pajama party screenings.^[17]

Cinefamily first programmed a first-run film in early 2011, the Greek independent film Dogtooth, which went on to an Academy Award nomination within a month of its sold-out run.^[18] They have since mounted first-run screenings of We Need to Talk About Kevin,^[19] Margaret,^[20] Bullhead,^[21] Michael,^[22] and Battle Royale.^[23]

In 2011, Cinefamily held their first-ever telethon fundraiser,^[24] described by Ted Hope on his indieWIRE blog as “the greatest celebration of cinema ever.”^[25] Spike Jonze, Benicio del Toro, Jonathan Gold, Elliot Gould, No Age and others appeared during the 24-hour event, which broadcast live online.^[26]

Cinefamily has co-presented films in association with other film, cultural and museum institutions, such as MOCA Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Cinespia, Film Forum, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. (Dennis Hopper, Art in the Streets, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, William Eggleston, Ryan Trecartin).

Guest Appearances

References

External links

• Official website