We meet our mission by presenting dozens of films a month that are carefully curated to offer a wide range of genres, with a focus on foreign, avant-garde, cult, horror, LGBT, revival, documentary, and animated films; by complementing our cinematic offerings with other artistic experiences such as concerts, discussions, art shows, film festivals, overnight marathons, and interactive film screenings; and by collaborating with local arts and education organizations both within and beyond our walls.
FIRST RUN FILMS
Buzzed-about and under-the-radar independents, documentaries, and foreign films that are making their theatrical premieres in Southern California — often straight out of film festivals, and exclusively at The Frida.
REPERTORY SELECTIONS
Award-winning classic and audience-favorite cult films that have been restored for re-release to art house cinemas, often in celebration of a notable anniversary.
FILM FESTIVALS
Established annual multi-day festivals such as SIKHLens and Horrible Imaginings Film Festival, as well as festivals showcasing student, short, and works by local filmmakers.
FILMMAKER SUPPORT
The Frida Cinema provides a supportive home for filmmakers, offering services from the marketing of their film presentations and premieres, technological assistance for exhibition needs, and fiscal sponsorship.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Ensuring interactive opportunities for members of our Frida Cinema Film Club, partnerships with local businesses, volunteer opportunities, dialogues with film industry professionals, and other activities that engage the public in conversations inspired by and concerning film.
As a community-based, mission-driven cinema, we are proud to serve as a partner for fellow cultural, nonprofit, and educational organizations in Santa Ana and neighboring areas. Over the course of five years, we have collaborated with well over 200 partners, including schools, senior groups, independent businesses, artists and arts institutions, theater troupes, libraries, culinary institutions, and organizations dedicated to serving in areas including suicide prevention, human trafficking, animal ethics, LGBT equality, and immigrants’ rights.
BRINGING THE WORLD TO SANTA ANA
Through international cinema, The Frida Cinema provides Santa Ana with a window to landscapes, cultures, histories, traditions, and the varying music, art, and styles of lands from around the world. We continually build new relationships with filmmakers and independent distributors to ensure we can consistently provide access to under-the-radar international films that you won’t find anywhere else.
DRAG STORYBOOK HOUR
LENDING OUR SUPPORT
FREE FAMILY SCREENINGS
PARTNER SCREENINGS
STUDENT FILM FESTS
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
DIRECTOR OF THE MONTH
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
AFTER HOURS
POP-UP / ROOFTOP CINEMA
ALL-NIGHT MARATHONS
INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION
