The Frida Cinema

What The Frida Cinema does

The Frida Cinema is a nonprofit arthouse cinema located in Santa Ana, California, founded in 2014. It operates two auditoriums with 200+ seats each, screening independent, classic, and cult films alongside educational and community-focused programming. The organization serves film enthusiasts, local cultural communities, and event organizers in Orange County and the broader Southern California region.

The cinema has built a diversified revenue model spanning ticket sales ($13-$20 per ticket), venue rentals, pop-up cinema rentals, Film Club memberships, merchandise and gift cards, and donations/sponsorships. Its Pop-Up Cinema program represents a distinctive mobile offering, with 300+ deployments since 2014 using portable professional equipment including 15,000 Lumens 4K projection systems, FM transmitters for drive-in formats, and sound towers. Ticketing is facilitated through the filmbot platform, accepting Apple Pay, Google Pay, and credit cards.

The organization maintains co-presentation partnerships with cultural institutions including HorrorBuzz, Segerstrom Center, Muckenthaler Cultural Center, VAALA, All Hail Horror, and the City of Santa Ana. It has expanded its funding channels through alternative giving vehicles including vehicle donations via CARS and cryptocurrency/stock donations via Every.org. The Frida Zinema publication extends the brand into editorial content, and the Film Club Membership program provides recurring revenue. The organization operates with a small staff (1-10 employees) consistent with its nonprofit, community-focused mission.

Name

The Frida Cinema

Legal name

The Frida Cinema

Website

https://thefridacinema.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Frida Cinema is a nonprofit arthouse cinema in Santa Ana, California, operating two 200+ seat auditoriums since 2014 to screen independent, classic, and cult films for film enthusiasts and local communities, with additional revenue from venue rentals, pop-up cinema deployments, memberships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Film Exhibition

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent & Art-house Cinemas (MPADAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Film Festivals & Festival Organizers (MPADAKAD), Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Arthouse cinema screenings
• Independent film programming
• Cinema venue rentals
• Outdoor cinema services
• Nonprofit film exhibition

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Ana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from admission tickets to film screenings, with tiered pricing for different screening types (standard, matinee, special events)
2. Venue Rentals: Rental of two 200+-seat auditoriums for private events including film screenings, weddings, birthdays, fundraisers, live music, comedy, drag shows, and other multimedia events. Discounts available for nonprofits and educational groups.
3. Pop-Up Cinema Rentals: Portable outdoor cinema screening services at various Southern California locations with multiple screen size options (16ft to 40ft) accommodating 125 to 3,500 people or up to 200 vehicles for drive-ins
4. Film Club Memberships: Recurring membership program offering benefits to film enthusiasts with various tier levels
5. Donations and Sponsorships: Tax-deductible charitable contributions as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, accepting cash donations, stock/crypto gifts, vehicle donations, and planned giving. Corporate sponsorships also available.
6. Merchandise and Gift Cards: Sale of merchandise including shirts, stickers, pins, and gift cards through the online shop

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Frida Cinema operates a nonprofit arthouse cinema in Downtown Santa Ana, California, screening independent, classic, cult, and foreign films across two 200+-seat auditoriums. It offers curated thematic film series, special events with guest Q&As, private venue rentals, and Pop-Up Cinema outdoor screening services across Southern California, supported by Film Club memberships, donations, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

The Frida Cinema is OC's year-round nonprofit arthouse film festival offering diverse programming across multiple platforms. The core offering consists of daily film screenings featuring independent, classic, and foreign cinema in two 200+-seat auditoriums. Supporting services include Film Series (themed multi-week programming like Twin Peaks: The Complete Series, Hong Kong Action Essentials, and Art House for Families), Venue Rentals for private events, and Pop-Up Cinema for outdoor/mobile screenings across Southern California. Additional revenue streams include Film Club Memberships with ticket discounts, a Shop for merchandise, Gift Cards, and Special Events featuring Q&As with filmmakers and special presentations. The organization operates as a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID 27-0950151) with a mission to enrich, connect, and educate communities through cinema.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Frida Zinema: A zine/magazine publication associated with the cinema

Products and services

• Film Screenings Year-round arthouse cinema screenings featuring independent, classic, cult, and foreign films across two 200+-seat auditoriums in Downtown Santa Ana for individual filmgoers and families.
• Film Series Curated thematic film programming including Twin Peaks: The Complete Series, Hong Kong Action Essentials, Art House for Families, Bogie Fest, Spielberg Summer, Classic Movie Nights, and HorrorBuzz Movie Night, organized around genres, directors, or thematic content for film enthusiasts.
• Venue Rentals Rental of the cinema's two 200+-seat auditoriums with digital projection, audio, professional lighting, stage, and wireless microphones for film screenings, weddings, birthday parties, fundraisers, live music, comedy, drag shows, and other multimedia events, with a three-hour minimum and discounts for nonprofits and educational groups.
• Pop-Up Cinema Portable outdoor and mobile cinema screening services using professional projection and audio equipment at parks, libraries, museums, schools, rooftops, campgrounds, and beaches across Southern California, with four screen size options (16ft to 40ft) accommodating 125 to 3,500 people or up to 200 vehicles for drive-in events.
• Film Club Membership Recurring membership program offering film enthusiasts discounts on tickets and merchandise, exclusive screening access, and community engagement benefits through tiered levels.
• Special Events and Q&As Special screenings with director Q&As, panel discussions, live music performances, and host presentations for individual filmgoers seeking enhanced programming experiences beyond standard screenings.
• Merchandise Shop Online e-commerce store selling cinema-branded merchandise including shirts, stickers, pins, and related items for film enthusiasts and supporters.
• Gift Cards Gift cards available for purchase redeemable for movie tickets, concessions, and merchandise at the cinema.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 Pop-Up Cinema programs presented since 2014
• +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

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• HorrorBuzzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHorrorBuzz Movie Night partnership presenting monthly horror film screenings with pre-show trivia, prizes, and themed entertainment. HorrorBuzz provides content curation while The Frida provides venue and projection equipment for this ongoing series.
• Muckenthaler Cultural CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presentation partnership for Starring Natalie Wood film series as part of the Muckenthaler's exhibit More Than Love: The Life & Art of Natalie Wood. The Frida provides venue while the Muckenthaler provides promotional partnership.
• Segerstrom Center for the ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBroadway Thursdays series co-presentation partnership bringing Broadway-related programming to The Frida cinema venue.
• VAALA (Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for screening Jimmy in Saigon documentary with post-screening conversation with director Peter McDowell.
• All Hail HorrorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Hey Arnold! 30th anniversary screening with live music and Q&A, with vendor and promotional support.
• The Broad StageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue rental customer for outdoor cinema fundraising event. The Broad Stage is an arts venue that rented The Frida's pop-up cinema equipment and services.
• Dance Camera WestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue rental customer for dance film event production. Rented The Frida's facilities for their event.
• Orange County RotaryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor and attendee of outdoor cinema fundraising event. Participated as event sponsor with community members attending.
• CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)minorOthersVehicle donation partnership allowing supporters to donate vehicles (running or inoperable) including farm equipment, with CARS handling towing and paperwork.
• Every.orgminorOthersPartnership for accepting stock and cryptocurrency donations, streamlining the donation process for supporters.
• City of Santa AnaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Art House for Families film series, supporting family-friendly art house programming.
• Arnold LeibovitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost/producer for The 7th Voyage of Sinbad screening event, bringing expertise and connections in fantasy film restoration and preservation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Brattle Theatre: Cambridge, MA nonprofit repertory cinema known for curated classic, foreign, and independent film programming with themed series. Comparable nonprofit model and repertory programming approach.
• Laemmle Theatres: Family-owned Southern California arthouse cinema chain operating multiple locations. Most directly comparable peer given the same geography, similar independent/art-film focus, and overlapping audience of cinephiles in the LA/OC market.
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Specialty cinema chain known for repertory programming, themed events, and food-and-drink service. Comparable in event-driven programming model though broader in genre and for-profit.
• Angelika Film Center: Arthouse cinema chain with locations in NYC, DC, and other metros focused on independent and foreign film exhibition. Comparable core offering of curated indie/classic programming for cinephile audiences.
• IFC Center: Independent art-house cinema in New York City operating multiple screens with curated independent, documentary, and repertory programming including the DOC NYC festival. Comparable boutique-screening venue model.
• Landmark Theatres: Arthouse cinema chain (now part of Cohen Media Group) operating repertory and independent film programming across multiple US cities. Directly comparable in curated art-house exhibition model, though larger and for-profit.
• Metrograph: NYC-based repertory cinema, bookshop, and restaurant presenting curated retrospectives, premieres, and special events. Comparable event-driven, curated programming approach targeting cinephile audiences.
• Coolidge Corner Theatre: Massachusetts-based nonprofit arthouse cinema presenting independent, classic, and foreign films with strong educational programming. Closely comparable nonprofit, community-mission-driven model.
• American Cinematheque: Los Angeles-based nonprofit that presents repertory cinema, festivals, and Q&A events at the Egyptian and Aero Theatres. Closest peer given nonprofit structure, curated programming approach, and Southern California footprint.
• AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: Nonprofit cultural institution in Silver Spring, MD operating a multi-screen cinema with curated independent, classic, and repertory programming including the AFI Docs festival. Comparable nonprofit arthouse model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/thefridacinema
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheFridaCinema
• Instagraminstagram.com/thefridacinema
• TikToktiktok.com/@thefridacinema
• Xx.com/thefridacinema
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-frida-cinema

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 The Frida Cinema