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The Cinefamily is an organization of movie lovers devoted to finding and presenting interesting and unusual programs of exceptional, distinctive, weird and wonderful films. The Cinefamily’s goal is to foster a spirit of community and a sense of discovery, while reinvigorating the movie-going experience. Like campfires, sporting events and church services, we believe that movies work best as social experiences. They are more meaningful, funnier and scarier when shared with others. Our home is the Silent Movie Theatre, one of Hollywood’s most beloved and beautiful cultural landmarks. There, The Cinefamily will provide a destination spot for Los Angelenos and others to rediscover the pleasures of cinema.
Built in 1942 by John and Dorothy Hampton, The Silent Movie Theatre ran for decades as the only fully functioning silent movie theatre in the country. It has been fully restored to its original, vintage 1940s art deco design, along with a brand new screen and sound system, to help a new generation enjoy the pleasures of cinema in a beautiful theater.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)!
MEMBERSHIP
TICKETING & SEATING
PROGRAMMING
OTHER
MEMBERSHIP
What are "special events"?
"Special events" are singular screenings that are not on the slate of our regular weekly programming series; they may include special guests, live music, or one-of-a-kind, impossible-to-predict happenings. In addition to free admission to our regular programming, members receive a discount on admission to Special Events. Look for them on the Special Events pages of our print and web calendars, as well as in our customer emails.
I'm a member. How do I secure a ticket ahead of time for a show?
We can't give you your free ticket or discount in advance of the show. If you want to ensure that you will without a doubt get into a a particular show, you can purchase your ticket in advance online, and we will refund you the full membership discount at the box office on the night of the show, excluding surcharges from our service providers.
How do I cancel my membership?
For cancellation, please contact membership@cinefamily.org.
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TICKETING & SEATING
How do I get one of those comfy leather couches?
Ah, couch politics. There is no assigned seating in our auditorium; our couches are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so you got to get up early in the morning to get those couches! That said, there are two points of order to be aware of:
- To ensure couch-usage efficiency and avoid waste of valuable couch-space resources, we require that if you want to sit on a couch, that you be in a party of two, three or even a snuggly four, and fill it up nice. If you came alone, make a friend! Together, you can claim a couch. What a "meet cute". Lubitsch would love it!
- Premiere members get the benefit of entering the theater first, which is a definite couch-advantage. If you really love couches, we recommend a getting a premiere membership. You scratch our back, we couch yours.
How early should I show up? When do you open doors?
It is difficult to know when people will begin lining up outside; your guess is as good as ours. What we can say is that we open the doors 30 minutes before showtime. Also, if you do come in early to claim your favorite seat, please feel free to enjoy our patio out back while waiting for the show to start. It's nice out there.
How do I buy tickets for shows?
You can buy tickets for shows beforehand through our online ticket provider (Brown Paper Tickets) by clicking on the "Buy Tickets" links displayed on our website. Online ticket sales end two hours before showtime, and are available at the box office one hour before showtime. We do not have a phone ticketing system at this time.
Can I buy tickets for upcoming shows at the box office?
Not presently.
Do your shows sell out?
Yes, often!
I'm running late, but I bought a ticket online. Will I still be able to get in, if it's a crowded show?
30 minutes after the listed showtime, we may release any unclaimed Will Call tickets in a first-come, first-served manner. If you come later than 30 minutes after showtime, we cannot guarantee seating.
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PROGRAMMING
Aren't you also called The Silent Movie Theatre? Do you show silent movies?
The Silent Movie Theatre is our home, and the Cinefamily does continue the fine tradition of silent films, with live organ accompaniment on the first Wednesday of every month and on one floating Sunday afternoon per month.
I want to show my movie at the Cinefamily. What do I do?
There are two ways to show a film at our venue. The Cinefamily is an ideal place for small premieres and private screenings, and you can rent the theater by contacting events@cinefamily.org. As well, all of Cinefamily's calendar events are hand-picked by our programmers, so in order to get a film in the mix, the first step is to get us a screener. We would love to see your film. You can drop off a copy in the mailslot underneath our box office window, or you can mail it to our office: The Cinefamily, Attn: Programming, 611 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90036. Be aware, though, that we only have room in our schedule to screen a couple new independent films a month, so if we do not exhibit your film, it does not mean we didn't think it was great.
My band wants to play at the Cinefamily. We heard they sometimes have music shows...
The vast majority of the live bands that play at the Cinefamily are ones that are presenting live scores to silent/experimental films, or are booked as a special event through one of our regular co-sponsors (Los Angeles Filmforum, Dublab, etc.) Submissions for live score proposals, DJing at one of our shows, or general inquiries should be addressed to suggestions@cinefamily.org. If you want to rent the theater for an upcoming event for your band and/or performance, please contact events@cinefamily.org.
I have a great idea for a film series you guys should put on...
We always appreciate feedback and input -- any and all programming suggestions should be directed to suggestions@cinefamily.org.
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OTHER
What's upstairs?
Upstairs is the bubbling think-tank that is the heart of the Cinefamily operation. We do not have bathrooms, concessions or more theater seating beyond what you see in the auditorium.
Where do you get the movie posters? Can I buy any of the posters I see up on the walls?
Our posters come from personal collections, and the Internet. Unfortunately, we do not sell the posters we display inhouse -- however, the Internet is a wild and wonderful place, and you're welcome to purchase them there.
How do I get back issues of the print calendar?
Our print calendars are highly-collectible artifacts -- they are one-time-only limited editions, however, so we cannot furnish back issues of the print calendar. However, you can always download PDFs of the print calendar at any time here.
How do I know if the film I want to come to is going to be exhibited from a film print, or video?
Check the individual event descriptions in the print or web calendar for director, running time, screening format and year-of-release information.
What kinds of screening formats can the Cinefamily exhibit?
We can show 35mm, 16mm, HDCAM, DigiBeta, BluRay, DVD, MiniDV and VHS.
Where do your cupcakes and the ice cream sandwiches come from?
The cupcakes are provided by Crumbs Bakeshop (with locations across the city), and the ice cream novelties are provided by Milk, located on Beverly/Poinsettia.
Are there ins-and-outs at the door?
Sure, as long as you notify the staff at the concessions stand.
Can I smoke on your outdoor patio?
Yep.
Can I keep my ticket/receipt, or do I have to relinquish it to the ticket taker at the door?
If you would like to retain your ticket/receipt, our doorperson will mark it with a Sharpie, so that you can't invent time travel and go back to use it again. Nor will you be able to prevent the eventual takeover of the world by nanorobots.
Is the Cinefamily hiring?
Feel free to send your resume to info@cinefamily.org, and we will keep it on file.
How can I support the Cinefamily?
The Cinefamily is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We rely on your support to allow us to continue programming the screenings, performances, and eclectic events you love. There are several ways to support the Cinefamily:
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