Long Beach Cinematheque

The Frida Cinema is dedicated to enriching, connecting, and educating communities through the art of cinema.

Founded in 2014, The Frida Cinema is Orange County’s only non-profit art house cinema. Dedicated to enriching, connecting, and educating communities through the art of cinema, The Frida serves as a cultural hub and nexus for film enthusiasts, community members, and nonprofit organizations alike.

The Frida is the culmination of nearly two decades of enthusiastic dedication to sharing the art of cinema led by founding Executive Director Logan Crow. Having previously founded the successful film focused organizations MondoCelluloid.com and Long Beach Cinematheque, which screened films throughout Southern California theaters and outdoor locations, Crow founded The Frida inside the historic Fiesta Twin theatre building in Downtown Santa Ana. Core programming at The Frida includes on-site screenings, drive-in and pop-up community screenings, digital screenings, hosting independent film festivals, and providing student and filmmaker support including internships, marketing, and production technical assistance. The Frida also produces DTSA First Saturday ArtWalk, a free multi-disciplinary arts festival with open gallery tours, live music, and participatory arts activities welcoming more than 4,000 visitors each month.

Named after Frida Kahlo, the legendary Mexican painter and central figure in revolutionary Mexican politics and twentieth-century art, the cinema’s name pays homage to Kahlo’s incredible influence on the world and aligns the organization with the vibrant and diverse Mexican and Artist communities that call Downtown Santa Ana home.

In 2023, The Frida accomplished several impactful milestones. Under The Frida’s leadership, ArtWalk grew into a larger, more financially sustainable, and impactful community event with the addition of entertainment stages, increased marketing, and support for local artists. The organization hosted more than 75 free on-site and community film screenings and a twice-monthly free community arts night on its outdoor parklet. Lastly, the organization received historic grant funding to expand programming including funding from California Arts Council (General Operating and ArtWalk), California Humanities (culturally inclusive film programming), and the National Endowment for the Arts (ArtWalk).

2024 is The Frida's 10th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, the organization will be hosting a number of community events, film screenings, and celebrations in addition to hosting its ongoing roster of more than 100 monthly film and multidisciplinary arts programs.

Need 1: Film Programming support. Quality film programming doesn't come cheap. The Frida spends more than $240,000 in film licensing fees so that film makers and distributors are fairly compensated for allowing us to share their art. A donation to The Frida directly supports costs to bring films to our two screen cinema.

Need 2: Capital Improvements. The Frida strives to provide the most welcoming guest experience for audiences. Unfortunately, the lobby and restrooms at The Frida are in need of upgrading including flooring and fixtures. This will create both a more welcoming and easier to clean environment for guests. Flooring has not been replaced in more than two decades.

Need 3: 35mm projector installation. A changeover, reel-to-reel projector system is a must to be able to borrow 35mm prints from studios, archivists and collectors, unlike the more precarious "platter" systems like the one previously utilized at The Frida. The challenges have been numerous, including taking the time to try to not only find a pair of used projectors, but ones that are in decent enough quality to satisfy the demands of distributors, who understandably are hesitant to lend prints to less reliable systems. Funding is needed to purchase 2 projectors, transport them to The Frida, install them, and perform required upgrades to power, ventilation, and projection windows.

Need 4: General Operating Support. The Frida always welcomes gifts from the community to sustain core day to day operations.

Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Diego County

The Frida isn’t a commercial movie theater. Since opening in 2014, The Frida has proudly served as a non-profit cultural institution: a community-based, mission-driven art house cinema that takes a curatorial approach to its cinematic programming, and that exists solely for the love and celebration of cinema. Our success relies on the support people like you who recognize the vital role and impact of The Frida in our community. We are counting on you to be a part of our continued success this year, and in the years to come.

We are incredibly proud of our work, our mission, and our programming. As a supporter of The Frida, you share in this pride and accomplishment. Your support allows us to make our cinematic dreams a reality.