CALL TO ACTION — SAVE CINEMATHEQUE
Since its founding, in 1961, San Francisco Cinematheque has presented nearly 5,000 film/video screenings (featuring tens of thousands of works of avant-grade/experimental cinema), has published dozens of publications and performs valuable archives work and has been central to the SF Bay Area’s ongoing reputation as one of the major nodes of international avant-garde/experimental film culture for more than six decades. In 2025 alone, Cinematheque presented 45 screenings and events to more than 3,000 viewers, hosted filmmakers from around the world and expanded its physical and digital archives.
CINEMATHEQUE NOW FACES AN URGENT THREAT TO ITS EXISTENCE
With the and much-reported collapse of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) as a viable funding agency in 2025, Cinematheque is facing a 2026 budget reduction of nearly $50,000—25% of our miniscule annual budget. This leaves us with a devastating gap. Without immediate community support, Cinematheque will be forced to lay off staff in 2026 and may in fact cease operations, thereby terminating Cinematheque’s programs and services. This is urgent. It is essential that we make up this $50,000 shortage to ensure our programmatic activity in 2026 while staff pursues alternate funding sources. If our work is at all valuable to you, please support San Francisco Cinematheque today.
Your support today will allow our programming to continue, will support our ongoing archives work and will sustain the two-person staff who, along with Board of Directors and volunteers, help our international community thrive. Please make a tax-deductible donation today or join us as a member. No gift is too small. No gift is too large. Sincere thanks for your past (and future) support.
pictured above: Xiuhtecuhtli (2023) by Colectivo Los Ingrávidos
DONATIONS
In support of Cinematheque’s ongoing Mission, we hope that you will support our work by making a tax-deductible donation. San Francisco Cinematheque is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations to Cinematheque are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Donate here: www.sfcinematheque.org/supportdonations/
MEMBERSHIP
Become a Member of San Francisco Cinematheque (or RENEW) to support Cinematheque’s Mission and enjoy the benefits of being a part of our community! Information about membership tiers and benefits can be found here. Payments can be made via online credit card payment or by check/money order. Memberships are not tax-deductible. Memberships are valid for one year from the date of purchase. Become a member here: http://www.sfcinematheque.org/supportmembership/ 
If desired, memberships and donation payments can be made via check/money order. If paying by check/money order, please send payment to:
San Francisco Cinematheque
55 Taylor Street
San Francisco, CA 94102