A one-of-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and everyone curious about cinema, Vidiots is dedicated to inspiring human interaction around film through preserving, growing, and providing access to its diverse DVD, BluRay, and rare VHS collection, showcasing the work of emerging and master artists, and producing unique film events and vital education programs.

A Los Angeles brick-and-mortar film space founded and helmed by women, Vidiots was opened as an alternative video store in 1985 by L.A. natives Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber. For 32 years Vidiots served its devoted community via the iconic Santa Monica storefront, which shuttered in 2017 in the wake of rising costs. With the generous and unwavering support of Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures (which became a major donor in 2015, along with Vidiots customer Dr. Leonard Lipman), Vidiots was able to store its collection and devise an extensive plan for sustainable relaunch in a new home.

Vidiots’ new home opened in May 1929 as The Yosemite Theatre, a vaudeville stage. Almost immediately the Yosemite re-opened as an independent silent movie theater, and a year later it transitioned to sound. In 1940, The Yosemite Theatre became The Eagle Theatre. From 1976 to 1979, the theater ran as a Pussycat, part of the infamous adult cinema chain. Shortly thereafter, The Eagle once again became a traditional independent cinema, operating through the 1990s before becoming a series of churches.

With almost-10,000 square feet of entertainment and educational space, Vidiots will operate seven days a week and offer daily screenings and special programs, the full video store with DVD and BluRay rentals, concessions, and a light menu with beer and wine. The main theater (200+ seats, an ample stage, 35mm, DCP, and state-of-the-art sound) will provide flexibility for various screenings and tastemaker events. A second, smaller screening and event space (approximately 40 seats) will be ideal for screenings, workshops, and receptions.

Vidiots Founding Members, the lifeblood of the Vidiots relaunch, include Katie Aselton + Mark Duplass, Jess Wu Calder + Keith Calder, Mackenzie Davis, Rian Johnson + Karina Longworth, Phil Lord, Max Minghella, Nate Moore, Morgan Neville, Patton Oswalt, Aubrey Plaza, Paul Scheer + June Raphael.

Current and future partners include The Black List, The Bootleg Theater, Cinema Eye Honors, Film Independent, Outfest, Oxy Arts and Occidental Media Arts + Culture Department, Seed + Spark, Sundance Institute, UCLA Film + Television Archive, Women in Film.

Eagle Theatre Photo courtesy of The Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society.