About
OUR STORY
The Frida Cinema opened its doors on February 21st, 2014, in the heart of Downtown Santa Ana’s buzzing arts and culture district.
Serving as a cultural hub for film and arts lovers of all ages, The Frida houses two 200-seat auditoriums, both of which feature state-of-the-art 4K Laser projection. The Frida offers a diverse range of film and event programming, with a focus on classic, cult, international, independent, documentary, LGBTQ+, and anime films. Beyond film screenings, The Frida Cinema actively engages with its community by hosting art shows, discussion panels and Q&A’s, student film showcases, live events, film festivals, and the monthly DTSA First Saturday ArtWalk. The Frida has collaborated with over 200 partners, including dozens of schools and community organizations, further providing a platform for diverse voices and stories.
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OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Serving as the only non-profit art house movie theater in Orange County (Tax ID 27-0950151), The Frida was founded with the mission to Enrich, connect, and educate communities through the art of cinema. The Frida Cinema relies on community support, including memberships, donations, and volunteer involvement, to sustain its mission of bringing the art of cinema to Orange County. Donations in support of The Frida Cinema are tax-deductible, and can be made online, at the theater, or by mail to:
The Frida Cinema
305 E. 4th St, STE 100
Santa Ana, CA 92701
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OUR NAME
When you set out to do the impossible, it helps to find a source for inspiration…
Born in Coyoacán, Mexico, Magdalena Frida Carmen Kahlo y Calderón — known by the world as Frida Kahlo — was a legendary Mexican painter and central figure in revolutionary Mexican politics and twentieth-century art, renowned for her magnificent body of surreal, symbolic, and deeply personal art. What is less known about Kahlo is the incredible saga of integrity and perseverance inherent to her life’s story. In 1925, at the age of eighteen, Kahlo was involved in a tragic streetcar accident where she suffered multiple fractures to her spine, foot, and pelvic bones, spending the rest of her life struggling against severe pain and disability. Where for some this would have been enough to give in to despair, Kahlo turned to art to communicate her physical suffering, as well as her passions for Mexican culture and politics, nature, and the love of her life, fellow artist Diego Rivera, whom she married in 1929.
A consummate creator until her death at 47, Kahlo’s inspiring uncompromising resoluteness and individualism has led to her becoming a leading icon for both the LGBT and feminist movements, as well as for the greater conversation of self-expression through art. When we set out to open The Frida Cinema, we aligned our mission to two core commitments – we would never compromise on our vision, and we would meet every challenge with The show must go on boldness and commitment. At a time when cinemas were facing the dual challenges of industry-wide digital convergence and increasingly popular streaming services, the concept of opening an independent cinema was admittedly audacious and improbable. Even before we opened, it was suggested that we run mainstream Hollywood movies to survive, or that we only run art house cinema in one screen, and big-budget Hollywood films in the other.
We continue to be steadfast in adhering to our mission, and inspired by both the Mexican and Artist communities that call Downtown Santa Ana home, we christened ourselves after a hero in the arts that we could look up to not only for her talent, but for her unyielding commitment to her vision, her passions, her identity, and her voice. We are proud and honored to continue to find strength and inspiration from Frida’s remarkable story. Gracias Frida!
Frida Kahlo
July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954