Fresno Filmworks

Our Goals / Mission Statement

More Information:
Filmworks History
Filmworks Outreach
Board of Directors
F.A.Q.

Fresno Film Works is a non-profit group committed to bringing a film theater that will show independent, experimental and foreign movies to Fresno. Our aspirations are small and therefore attainable, and are guided by aesthetic principles of what we believe is good community and good living.

We believe Fresno is incomplete without a theater that shows exclusively experimental, foreign and independent films. The absence of a space where people can come together to enjoy a good movie, and then gather to discuss it in a context of neighborhood and community is a grievous void. We intend to fill that void, and create a space that will live on as a cultural institution respected for its integrity and aesthetic reliability.

Initially we plan to find a space of suitable size, zoning and availability that is centrally located and therefore available to all cultural groups in Fresno and the Valley. We are looking in the Tower District for such a space, and are exploring whether to rent or buy at this point. We are hoping that with a successful capital fund drive, we could buy a suitable space to justify pouring energy and funds into design and remodeling. We believe we will have the enthusiastic and voluntary assistance of numerous Fresno artists in designing and creating a space that will provide a pleasurable context for film viewing.

It is also our plan to invest significant funds in the purchase of excellent projection and screen equipment so the visual quality of our film presentation will be consistent with the quality of the films presented.

We will not attempt to compete with mega-theaters or stadium seating. Instead, we will design alternative seating arrangements that will be highly comfortable, even elegant, but unregimented. We are looking at other small theaters for design possibilities for seating. We will place the screen high so everyone will be able to lean back comfortably in seating with a head rest and see the entire screen. Our tentative plan is to create a space that serves fine coffees, teas and desserts at several tables so people can stop and visit before or after each screening.

One movie will be showing every night of the week. Tickets will be sold at the door, but we will also have subscribers, a mailing list, and regular calendars. Marketing will be by word-of-mouth, small newsletters, and our subscription and mailing lists. Also, we will be able to interface with film classes at the colleges during the daytime hours, as well as offering reduced rates to seniors. We plan to involve young people in the daily management of the theater as both an educational and employment opportunity.

We intend to have a board that is diverse ethnically, by age, and by sexual orientation, so as to represent the cultural and aesthetic interests of the larger community. We will be open to community input and suggestions regarding film choices. We will, however, not refuse films based upon sexual content, political opposition, or public prejudice. We want to provide a film experience that is both joyful and thought provoking.