Gardena Cinema, the last family-run, single-screen theater in South Los Angeles, will host a weekend of free movies for the public June 7–8 as part of Pluto TV’s “Free Movie Weekend” campaign.
The historic cinema, located at 14948 Crenshaw Blvd., was nominated for the campaign by director Sean Baker, who won Best Director and Best Picture for his independent film “Anora” at the 97th Academy Awards.
The initiative supports family-run and independent theaters nationwide by covering the cost of movie tickets to encourage local attendance and celebrate community filmgoing.
Baker nominated Gardena Cinema as the first theater to participate in this summer’s program. He has been a vocal advocate for preserving traditional theatrical experiences, which he championed during one of his Oscars acceptance speeches.
Gardena Cinema was built in 1946 and has been operated by the Kim family since 1976. The late Nancy Soo Myoung Kim managed the 800-seat venue until her death in 2022. Her daughter, Judy Kim, now oversees daily operations and continues the family’s long-standing commitment to providing an affordable moviegoing experience in the community, organizers of the event said.
Specific titles and showtimes have not yet been announced, but organizers say free tickets will be made available ahead of the event. Pluto TV, a free streaming platform, launched its Free Movie Weekend campaign in 2023 and has partnered with filmmakers to draw attention to the importance of independent theaters.
More information, including show listings and ticket availability, is expected to be released soon. Updates will be posted on Gardena Cinema’s Instagram at @gardenacinema, and on Pluto TV’s website.
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