American Cinematheque Takes Over Westwood’s Village Theater: Eyeing Grand 2027 Opening!

The historic Village Theater in Westwood, now owned by the Village Directors Circle, has announced a collaboration with the American Cinematheque for programming and operations. This partnership was revealed on Tuesday by Rick Nicita, chair of the Cinematheque, and filmmaker Jason Reitman.

Situated in the Westwood Village neighborhood of Los Angeles, the theater plans to continue hosting significant film premieres and a mix of first-run and retrospective film screenings, aiming for a grand reopening in 2027.

The theater acquisition earlier in 2024 was spearheaded by Reitman and involves a collective known as the Village Directors Circle. This group includes over thirty renowned directors such as Steven Spielberg, Denis Villeneuve, Lulu Wang, J.J. Abrams, Ryan Coogler, James Gunn, Chloé Zhao, Guillermo del Toro, Christopher Nolan, and Gina Prince-Bythewood.

The Directors Circle is dedicated to raising funds for the renovation and transformation of this century-old cinema into a versatile screening and event venue. The American Cinematheque will handle the programming and management of the facility, which will seat over 1,000 attendees, with active involvement from the participating filmmakers.

Reitman expressed his sentiments, stating, “Last year, some of the most acclaimed directors came together to preserve a Los Angeles landmark, the Village Theater in Westwood. We often regard movie theaters as sacred places. In that context, the Village is a cathedral, and with the American Cinematheque, we’ve found our congregation.”

Besides new movie releases, the theater will also host special screenings featuring live discussions, events during awards seasons, and various tributes, including Cinematheque’s special events like Beyond Fest, Bleak Week, This Is Not a Fiction, and Ultra Cinematheque 70.

The venue’s lobby will showcase memorabilia from the collections of the Directors Circle members and will feature concession stands, retail kiosks, and spaces designated for premiere events.

“Collaborating with the talented and visionary Village Directors Circle to refurbish the Village Theater marks a significant achievement for the American Cinematheque. We are excited to leverage our film programming capabilities in Westwood, revitalizing this legendary venue. Our aim is to establish a dynamic cultural center that not only celebrates the art of cinema but also serves as a communal enrichment platform, attracting diverse audiences from across Los Angeles and beyond,” commented Nicita.

Reitman further noted, “The American Cinematheque aligns with the directors’ ambition to feature new works, revive classics, and curate filmmaker-driven programs. The Village Theater has been a prestigious site for Hollywood premieres since 1930, and we are dedicated to perpetuating this tradition. Our goal is to provide a venue where audiences can enjoy beloved films alongside their loved ones.”

Reitman also mentioned that the Cinematheque is currently in the early stages of a $25 million fundraising campaign aimed at renovating the theater, with plans to start construction next year. He expressed excitement about the early support from various leaders and a major technology partner.

Other filmmakers participating in this initiative include Judd Apatow, Damien Chazelle, Chris Columbus, Bradley Cooper, Alfonso Cuarón, Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, Hannah Fidell, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Sian Heder, Gil Kenan, Karyn Kusama, Justin Lin, Phil Lord, David Lowery, Christopher McQuarrie, Chris Miller, Alexander Payne, Todd Phillips, Jay Roach, Seth Rogen, Emma Seligman, Brad Silberling, and Emma Thomas.