Amazing place with a great and passionate crew. Really enjoyed hosting my events here and im hoping to host many more in the future!
A terrific theater for true movie buffs! I love the selections they show, including first run independent films, retro classics, film festivals, cult hits, and lots more. There are TWO screens, so they can show more than one movie at a time (which is something of a rarity for arthouse cinemas). It's clean and well kept, the staff is super friendly, and they actually know their films. It's also easy to get to, with plenty of parking in the adjacent structure. Finally, it's in a nice and safe shopping area, with lots of great restaurants all around. The Wursthaus and Cafe Guadalajara (both adjacent) are highly recommended.
The Frida is a terrific non-profit arts organization that succeeded in creating a major hub for arthouse films for Santa Ana and surrounding communities in Orange County. I greatly respect them for the consistent programming excellence, diversity of films and cultures they present, and outstanding audience development. I have collaborated with The Frida Cinema and know first-hand how committed, hard working, knowledgeable its team is. Their efforts to transform a run-down property into a cultural gem are truly admirable. As a colleague in the same line of work I know full well how hard it is to achieve that. They deserve every support from our cultural communities across Southern California.
I've known Logan since he started talking about opening his Frida Cinema. I was very pleased to see that not only did he deliver on his goal of bringing excellent art house films to the community, but he ingrained himself within the local community and in doing so made the Frida a part of the fabric of the OC area itself. This place has been like home for many people who love and appreciate cinema, and the Frida has given back in so many ways, from granting free screenings to local youth groups to hosting fundraisers and events. It is truly a safe space that has welcomed so many people from even outside OC, and Logan is always so welcome to ideas to make the Frida a better place. I cannot imagine the downtown area without it.
The B Side has been huge supporters of this one of a kind movie theater since opening in 2014. The Frida Cinema does something extraordinary since it celebrates the art of film and enriches the community by also giving it a voice. The Frida does this by exhibiting art shows, holding community charity events, educational programming, and film festivals from various organizations. Programming of various films from cult classics such at The Rocky Horror Picture Show with the Frida's own shadow-cast, genre nights hosted by Mistress Azrael’s Sinema Screams, Nostalgic Nebula Entertainment and Horrorbuzz, and anniversary screenings featuring in person guests for example. All this can be found at this true Orange County gem. Diversity is key here. We look forward to continue supporting the Frida Cinema and Executive Director Logan Crow for many more years! Please support this wonderful theater!
You will fall in love with the Frida the instant you walk into its lobby. The theater is gorgeous, the seats are comfortable, the screens are big and the speakers are loud! There is no other place that you can see so many classics on the big screen. The Frida is also the perfect place to rent for special events. The staff are knowledgeable and are excellent in support in setting up and executing events.
I've been coming to the Frida since it opened almost six years ago and yet even so it feels like words can hardly describe what a wonderful experience it's been. Being able to see it slowly grow into the premier arthouse theater of Orange County is remarkable in and of itself, but also being able to play a small role in it as a volunteer is an experience that's truly priceless. I've had the opportunity to see great movies, make lifelong friends, and above all, feel like I'm making a difference for our community just by working here. Here's to another six years of the Frida, and may they be as fruitful as the first six!
The Frida is a great art house theater, helping to revitalize part of Santa Ana. With connections to local businesses, fundraisers, charity events, film festivals, artists of all types, Q&A sessions with actors and directors, this theater keeps moving the bar higher. Executive Director Logan Crow is in his element running the Frida. Stop by and say hi, catch a performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and enjoy supporting the arts as often as you can.
The Frida Cinema is a beacon of light and positivity in the downtown Santa Ana area. The staff continue to professionally, and passionately bring accessibility to the film loving world of Southern California. The programming continues to impress me with films from all over the world, and from an endless list of genres.
In every Arts and Culture organization, there exists the delicate balance between what is popular (and commercial) and what is art. The Frida gracefully traverses that line through thoughtful programming, regular community conversations, and a generally atmosphere of genuine belonging that they instill in their members. This balancing act is something that we, as a film festival, have been working to master, as well, so we have been extremely blessed to have The Frida Cinema offer us a home. For many events, the venue can become merely a landlord, but for us they are a stakeholder--a true partner, and they show it every single day in continuous support, encouragement, and enthusiasm. Santa Ana is a far richer place because The Frida Cinema stands in its streets.