Westwood’s Village Theater to be run by American Cinematheque upon 2027 reopening

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With several iconic Los Angeles cinemas, like the ArcLight Hollywood and Cinerama Dome, still closed or struggling to recover, one of the city’s oldest theaters is beginning a major renovation and reopening.

Director Jason Reitman and a group of over 30 filmmakers announced Tuesday that the American Cinematheque will manage and program the historic Village Theater in Westwood while it undergoes a $25 million renovation. The theater, which the directors bought in February 2024, is expected to reopen in 2027, and the nonprofit will be responsible for operating the 1,300+ seat venue and guiding its future direction.

A unique partnership has formed in Los Angeles, uniting some of the most celebrated directors with the American Cinematheque, a leading film organization. Directors like Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, and many others, led by Ivan Reitman, have collectively purchased the Village Theatre. Their goal is to maintain a vibrant, shared moviegoing experience for audiences, especially as the future of movie theaters is becoming increasingly uncertain.

Ivan Reitman explained that last year, many renowned filmmakers came together to preserve the historic Village Theater in Los Angeles. He described movie theaters as sacred spaces, comparing the Village Theater to a cathedral and the American Cinematheque, which is working to restore it, to its community of worshippers.

The American Cinematheque will now handle the day-to-day running and scheduling of films at the theater, and filmmakers will continue to be involved in the process, according to a recent announcement.

The renovated theater will feature special movie screenings with Q&A sessions, premieres, events for awards season, new films, classic titles, and a wider range of the theater’s popular festivals like Beyond Fest, Bleak Week, This Is Not a Fiction, and Ultra Cinematheque 70 Fest. Since opening in 1931, The Village has been known for hosting Hollywood premieres, and the new owners plan to keep that tradition alive.

The Village’s front lobby is getting a makeover to become a more versatile area. It will include a concession stand, displays of items from filmmakers, small shops, and a space for events related to movie premieres. The directors and the Arts Council are currently raising $25 million to fund the renovation, which is planned to start early next year. Reitman expressed enthusiasm for the initial support from donors and a large tech company, explaining that the goal is to create a welcoming place for people to enjoy films together.

I’m a huge fan of the American Cinematheque, and I’m so excited to see them growing! For those who don’t know, they run the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica and work with the Egyptian and Los Feliz 3. They’re a non-profit, supported by members like me, and they’re all about bringing people together through film. They started back in 1984 and put on over 1,600 screenings every year – everything from classic 35mm and 70mm films to digital and even those incredibly rare nitrate prints. It’s amazing what they do for the film community!

As a total film buff, I was thrilled to hear about the American Cinematheque teaming up with the amazing folks at the Village Directors Circle to restore the Village Theater! According to AC Chair Rick Nicita, they’re aiming to build a really lively cultural center – a place that doesn’t just show movies, but truly celebrates film and brings people together from all over LA and beyond. It’s about creating a community space, and that’s fantastic news for anyone who loves cinema.

The news comes as Los Angeles movie theaters continue to adjust after the pandemic drastically changed the industry. While some, like the Vista under Quentin Tarantino, Vidiots in Eagle Rock, and the restored Egyptian, have successfully reopened, the recovery hasn’t been equal. Some theaters are doing well, but others are still working to get back to pre-pandemic attendance levels.

California

The future of two iconic Los Angeles movie theaters, ArcLight Hollywood and the Cinerama Dome, is still unclear. Both have been closed since 2020, but this week the local neighborhood council gave its full support to a permit that would allow the complex to serve alcohol – a small step towards potential reopening. The owners, Decurion Corp. (controlled by the Forman family), say they plan to redevelop the property, though they haven’t announced when work might begin.

I’m so excited to see The Village coming back to life! It feels perfectly timed with all the work being done to improve Westwood Village before the 2028 Olympics. I’ve heard they’re planning a really impressive relaunch for the theater, and the people behind it – the Village Directors Circle and the Cinematheque – have big dreams. They want it to become a true cultural hub, a landmark that stands with places like Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Griffith Observatory. It’s a fantastic vision, and I can’t wait to see it happen!

After buying the theater last year, Ivan Reitman explained to The Times that the name ‘Westwood’ and the theater’s name ‘The Village’ resonated with him. He believes people always long for the sense of community found in a village, even as technology advances and cities grow. He described the theater as a ‘village for movies,’ a place where that feeling of community could be found.

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2025-11-18 23:32