Cameo Cinema

What Cameo Cinema does

Cameo Cinema is a privately held, single-screen art house movie theater operating at 1340 Main Street in St. Helena, California, in the heart of Napa Valley Wine Country. Founded in 1913 as the G&G Theater (later renamed Liberty Theatre, then The Roxy, and finally The Cameo Cinema in 1996), it is California's oldest continuously operated single-screen movie theater. The business is operated by Fireflies, LLC under Owner and Creative Director Cathy Buck, who assumed the lease in 2008 and upgraded the venue with a Barco 6k Cinema Laser Projector and 7.1 Dolby Atmos Surround Sound — a combination described as unique among single-screen art house cinemas in the United States. The 140-seat venue shows independent, international, and critically acclaimed films, supported by curated programs such as the annual FORK2FILM Festival, weekly Film Class, Science on Screen, Behind the Camera, and CinemaBites, and by a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Cameo Cinema Foundation.

The business model combines transaction-based and subscription revenue streams: standard general-admission tickets at $10, special event and festival tickets at $20-$95, concession sales (including popcorn, Napa Valley wines, beer, gelato), and three membership tiers (Star Card $70, Silver Card $500 for 12-month unlimited individual access, Gold Card $1000 for 12-month unlimited dual access), plus gift cards and branded merchandise. Wine-pairing experiences, where 100% of wine proceeds can benefit the theater, are co-produced with a deep bench of Napa Valley wineries (Beringer, Robert Mondavi, Spottswoode, Chateau Montelena, Christian Moueix/Ulysses Vineyard, and others) and chefs, functioning as both a marketing and revenue channel. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via box office and the cameocinema.com website, with an event-driven GTM layer centered on festivals and special screenings that draw Napa Valley locals, tourists, film enthusiasts, and food-and-wine audiences. Operating geographies are limited to Napa Valley and California; headcount is 5 employees and no institutional funding or parent company is indicated.

Name

Cameo Cinema

Legal name

Fireflies, LLC

Website

https://cameocinema.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cameo Cinema is a privately held, 140-seat single-screen art house movie theater in St. Helena, California, founded in 1913 and operating under Fireflies, LLC. It serves Napa Valley locals, tourists, film enthusiasts, and wine-country visitors with independent films, curated programs, and the annual FORK2FILM Festival.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Helena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for movie screenings and special events. Theaters typically split ticket revenue with distributors, sometimes requiring up to 63% of ticket fees to go back to studios.
2. Concession Sales: Sales of popcorn, wine, beer, soft drinks, gelato, premium candy, and coffee at the concession stand. Movie theaters rely heavily on concession sales.
3. Wine and Food Experiences: Special wine tasting experiences and food pairings at screenings, including premium wine events with pours at $20 each. 100% of wine sale proceeds may benefit the theater.
4. Membership Cards: Sale of Star Cards ($70), Silver Cards ($500 for 1 patron unlimited for 12 months), and Gold Cards ($1000 for 2 patrons unlimited for 12 months).
5. Gift Cards and Merchandise: Gift cards with custom values, popcorn bowls ($25), popcorn refill cards ($30), combo packages, and gift trios ($120).
6. Donations and Foundation Support: The Cameo Cinema Foundation (CCF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, raises funds to maintain the theater. Donations fund programs, technology upgrades, and operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cameo Cinema operates a 140-seat single-screen movie theater in St. Helena, California, screening international, independent, and critically acclaimed films using a Barco 6k Cinema Laser Projector and 7.1 Dolby Atmos Surround Sound. The offering is augmented by specialty programming (Film Class, FORK2FILM Festival, Science on Screen, Behind the Camera, CinemaBites, Movies to Dine For), concession sales, and membership/gift card products.

Product overview

Cameo Cinema is a single-screen movie theater offering a unified entertainment experience centered around film screenings. The core product is the movie theater itself, featuring state-of-the-art 6k Barco Laser projection and Dolby Atmos sound in a 140-seat venue. Supporting the core experience are educational and specialty programs including Film Class (weekly film education), the FORK2FILM Festival (annual culinary/wine film festival), Science on Screen, Behind the Camera, and CinemaBites (dining and film events). The theater also offers ancillary products including gift cards, membership cards (Star, Gold, Silver tiers), and branded popcorn bowls/cards. The Cameo Cinema Foundation supports programming through a non-profit structure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FORK2FILM Festival: An annual four-day celebration of culinary, wine, and agriculture films from around the world, hosted by Cameo Cinema and the Cameo Cinema Foundation in Napa Valley.
• Film Class
• Science on Screen
• Behind the Camera
• Movies to Dine For

Products and services

• Cameo Cinema Movie Theater Experience A 140-seat single-screen movie theater experience in St. Helena, CA featuring a Barco 6k Cinema Laser Projector and 7.1 Dolby Atmos Surround Sound, showing international, independent, and critically acclaimed films for general audiences, with general admission tickets at $10.
• Film Class Weekly film education program held on Tuesdays at 1:00 PM, nurturing deeper understanding of film culture and the film-going experience tradition. Tickets are $10 per class, available at the box office on class day only.
• FORK2FILM Festival Annual four-day celebration of culinary, wine, and agriculture films from around the world, hosted by Cameo Cinema and the Cameo Cinema Foundation in Napa Valley. Features 14 film screenings, food and wine experiences, and filmmaker Q&As. Individual tickets $20 (rush $25).
• Science on Screen Program pairing classic, cult, science fiction, and documentary film screenings with presentations by science and technology experts, supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
• Behind the Camera Monthly series featuring first-run films and interviews with accomplished actors and filmmakers, exploring the creative process of bringing script to screen.
• CinemaBites Community dinner paired with films exploring the world of food, complemented by Napa Valley wines, with proceeds benefiting the St. Helena Farmers' Market.
• Movies to Dine For Community dinners paired with films, featuring culinary bites and Napa Valley wines.
• Cameo Gift Cards and Membership Cards Gift cards with selectable custom values usable for tickets and concessions, plus tiered membership cards: Star Card ($70, 8 movie tickets for the price of 7), Silver Card ($500, unlimited movies for 1 patron for 12 months), and Gold Card ($1,000, unlimited movies for 2 patrons for 12 months).
• Cameo Popcorn Bowl and Popcorn Card Branded merchandise including a custom popcorn bowl with hand-screened logo ($25) and a Popcorn Card offering 8 refills of Orville Redenbacher popcorn ($30), available as a $50 combo.

Quantifiable outcome

• The only single-screen Art House Cinema in US with Barco 6k laser projector and Dolby Atmos sound
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SOMM TVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2026Presented SOMM Premiere: Echos of Wine screening with Jason Wise, James Beard Award-winning director and creator of SOMM TV.
• Parson's Fine ImportsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 July 2026Wine partner for SOMM Premiere: Echos of Wine screening; provided Georgian wines for tasting and event poster.
• Christian Moueix (Ulysses Vineyard)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 July 2026Opening Night Wine Experience for The Odyssey screening featuring Ulysses 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (99 points from Decanter). 100% of wine sales benefit Cameo Cinema.
• Spottswoode WineryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 March 2026Sponsor and wine pourer for Big Night screening at FORK2FILM Festival closing night.
• Frog's Leap WineryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 March 2026Wine experience partner for Rebuilding screening at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Lorenza WinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 March 2026Wine experience partner for Bouquet Days screening at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Etude WinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 March 2026Wine experience partner for The Shepherd and the Bear screening.
• Progeny WineryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 March 2026Sponsor for Rebuilding screening at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Paula Kornell Sparkling WineminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 March 2026Wine experience partner for The Price of Milk screening at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Chateau MontelenaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 March 2026Wine experience partner for A Sip of Irish screening at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Materra | Cunat Family VineyardsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 March 2026Sponsor and wine pourer for Ali Eats America screening and Cocktail Kick-Off Party at FORK2FILM Festival.
• The Fink Bar | Napa ValleyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 March 2026Providing signature cocktail and seasonal bite before Cabali and the Tiki Mug Obsession screening.
• St. Helena HospitalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 March 2026Co-sponsor for Ali Eats America screening at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Jennifer KlineminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 March 2026Sponsor for Bouquet Days screening at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Noelle StroussminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 March 2026Sponsor for Cabali and the Tiki Mug Obsession screening.
• Alpha Omega WineryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 March 2026Wine experience partner for Amrum screening at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Hugo D'Acosta (La Escuelita)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 March 2026Mexico's renowned winemaker pouring curated wines at Surgencia screening; leads charitable school La Escuelita for new generation of winemakers.
• Chef Benito Molina (Manzanilla)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 March 2026Internationally acclaimed chef providing culinary bites for Surgencia screening; co-founded Manzanilla restaurant in Ensenada.
• Behrens Family WineryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 March 2026Sponsor and wine pourer for Bad Shabbos screening at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Adonna WinesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 March 2026Sponsor pouring selection of wines before Short Film Showcase at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Beringer VineyardsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 March 2026Provides wine experiences at FORK2FILM Festival screenings including Trifole and The Shepherd and the Bear. Pouring selection of wines before films.
• Robert Mondavi WineryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 March 2026Wine experience partner for The Swirled Cup world premiere at FORK2FILM Festival opening night.
• Beaulieu VineyardminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 March 2026Wine experience partner for The Swirled Cup world premiere at FORK2FILM Festival.
• City of St. HelenaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 March 2026Sponsor for Trifole screening at FORK2FILM Festival.
• Cameo Cinema FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026The CCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the Cameo Cinema. It raises funds to maintain the theater as a community asset, supports programs like Film Class, Science on Screen, and Behind the Camera, and enables donations to keep the theater operational and affordable.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IFC Center: Independent art-house cinema in New York offering independent, documentary, and repertory programming with filmmaker events and themed series. Comparable on single-location art-house curation and special programming strategy.
• Smith Rafael Film Center: Nonprofit independent film center in San Rafael, California operating three screens with curated art-house programming and educational series. Closest peer on nonprofit-supported California art-house model.
• Landmark Theatres: Art-house cinema chain specializing in independent, foreign, and repertory film exhibition in intimate venues. Closest direct comparable to Cameo's single-screen art-house positioning, though operating at multi-location scale.
• Laemmle Theatres: Family-owned independent art-house cinema chain in California with curated programming, filmmaker Q&As, and community-focused events. Highly comparable on independent-exhibition model and California footprint.
• Angelika Film Center: Boutique art-house theater brand focused on independent and international cinema with curated programming and cafe/lounge amenities. Comparable on art-house positioning and intimate venue economics.
• Coolidge Corner Theatre: Historic nonprofit single-screen art-house cinema in Massachusetts with educational programming, festivals, and a foundation supporting operations. Closest peer on single-screen, foundation-supported, historic-venue model.

Broad incumbents

• IPIC Theaters: Premium dine-in cinema concept with luxury seating, full-service dining, and curated programming. Comparable on premium F&B-driven exhibition and high-touch guest experience.
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Major dine-in cinema chain with strong repertory and indie programming, special events, and F&B-heavy revenue mix. Comparable on art-house/event programming and F&B-attach strategy, but at national scale.

Others

• Sundance Film Festival: Nonprofit arts organization running the Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute labs, and Sundance Cinemas. Comparable on nonprofit-driven independent film ecosystem and foundation-supported programming, though primarily a festival rather than a year-round theater.

Regional players

• Napa Valley Film Festival: Regional film festival also operating in Napa Valley with curated indie and food/wine film programming. Comparable on shared Napa Valley audience and wine-and-film crossover positioning, though operates on a festival cadence rather than year-round.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cameo-cinema

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cameo Cinema