A one-of-a-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 our diverse DVD, BluRay, and rare VHS collection, showcasing the work of emerging, master, and underrepresented artists, and producing unique and affordable film events and education programs.
Founded by women, Vidiots opened in Santa Monica as an alternative video store in 1985. For three decades, Vidiots grew its unique collection, and served a diverse, and devoted community of film lovers. In 2012, Vidiots became a 501(c)3 non-profit. In 2017, Vidiots’ Board of Directors stored the 50,000-title collection, and shuttered the iconic storefront with plans to create a sustainable business model in a new location.
Vidiots’ new home, the almost-100-year-old Eagle Theatre, served audiences from 1929 until the early 2000s. Vidiots proudly reopened in June 2023, after investing nearly $2,000,000 to expertly rehabilitate the Eagle and launch a robust slate of community-driven film programs.
Pivotal funding from the Golden Globe Foundation has supported critical renovations and programming, and has made possible the groundbreaking revival of two historic film spaces which have, in short time, created a more diverse, equitable, and healthy L.A. film culture.
