Founded in 1985 by two life-long friends and film lovers, Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber, Vidiots has been a vital contributor to Los Angeles film culture for over thirty years. The logo alone is one of L.A.'s most recognizable, but it's our library of over 50,000 titles, and our rare VHS collection that make Vidiots a one-of-a-kind resource for filmmakers and film lovers both present and future. 

Executive Director Maggie Mackay, founders Patty and Cathy, and Vidiots' incredible cinephile staff, are launching Vidiots into the next era with unique programming and initiatives designed to maintain and grow an INCLUSIVE culture of ACCESS, PRESERVATION, and HUMAN INTERACTION around film. 

If you're a film lover, you'll sleep well at night knowing you have ACCESS to film – regardless of box office numbers, star power, or how it fits (or doesn't) into an algorithm. Not in L.A.? This isn't just about one video store in one city, we're working to create a film culture of access, interaction, and community around the country.  

If you're a filmmaker, you'll sleep well at night knowing you have access to a body of work that can help INSPIRE, PREP, and even MAKE your film. If you're in L.A. you'll also have access to one of the best, most affordable MICRO-CINEMAS in town. AND you'll know that YOUR FILM  will be available to AUDIENCES with no risk of being dropped or finding your film has no permanent home. 

1. KEEP THE DOORS OPEN to cover costs and expand and preserve our library to ensure it stays accessible to the public.
   
2. CREATE PROGRAMS that celebrate cinema and build an inclusive community of filmmakers and film lovers both present and future. 
3. CONNECT and collaborate with a national network of video stores, film libraries, and like-minded non-profits to maintain and grow a culture of preservation and access.

In addition to pop-ups, one-off Events, and year-round Cinema Selects and VHS Vault screenings, regular programs include: 

TOTE BAGS! Use 'em to carry your groceries or your latest cinematic haul. 

T SHIRTS! Grab your faves and wear 'em proudly! Check our Vidiots SHOP for more styles. Here's our amazing Archivist Ariel in hers:

NOT JUST A POSTCARD Vidiots founder Patty has a knack for collecting  the curious, our postcard rack proves it. You too can get one of these bad boys, signed by one of our many celeb supporters. 

FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT! Are you a filmmaker, have you worked on a film, or been in a film? Donate and we'll spotlight your work in-store at Vidiots, via social, and on our website!

YOUR VERY OWN SECTION You get to namesake one of our many sections! A master director perhaps, Luche Libre you say? We've got you covered.

HOURS IN THE ANNEX Vidiots houses The Annex, one of the best micro-cinemas in town. With seating for 48, DVD, Blu-Ray, VHS, and DCP-coming-soon, capabilities, our Annex is the perfect spot for your friends-and-family screening, your birthday party, your personal film festival. 

LET US SEND YOU MOVIES! Even if you don't live in L.A., you'll get a break from scrolling when you talk to a Vidiots staffer, who will personally curate two four-packs of films based on your interests. Best part? You get to keep 'em. 

VIP TICKETS TO HARRY DEAN STANTON TRIBUTE! Enjoy two VIP tickets to our Harry Dean Stanton Tribute featuring Harry Dean, Kris Kristofferson, Father John Misty, Karen O, John C. Reilly, Inara George and many more, at the beautiful Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, October 23, 2016.

VIDIOTS SLUMBER PARTY!
Grab your Holly Go-lightly eye mask and 25 of your closest friends for a cinematic sleepover at Vidiots! We'll provide cocktails, dinner, and access to our film library and The Annex, our micro-cinema. Have an all-night movie marathon and a one-of-a-kind experience. Great perk for company events or to split with your pals. 

OUR ANNEX, IN YOUR NAME Show how much you care, with a big ol' donation and we'll make sure you get credit where credit is due, right over the entrance to our Annex.

And then there are our One-Time-Only and Secret Perks! Into punk? A Tim Robbins fan? Red carpet premieres? Signed ephemera? Beautiful posters? Follow the campaign and you'll find something just for you!

As the folks spearheading a fledgling non-profit, we know more than anyone how hard it can be to contribute financially. Luckily, there are other ways you can help! Here's what you can do:

• Hit social media hard, send an email blast, call your mom, light a flare, anything you can to get the word out about Vidiots and all that we're doing.
• If you know someone passionate about film preservation, building a more inclusive industry, and ensuring access to art, make an introduction.
• Don't forget to use the Indiegogo share tools! 
• Come visit us at Vidiots, talk movies, rent movies, join the family!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Hit our website and sign up for E-News to get regular programming and events updates! 

Friends since they were three, Cathy Tauber and Patty Polinger grew up with a love of movies and wanted to open a video store that would offer films they actually wanted to watch.  They opened Vidiots in 1985 with 800 titles in a 1,000 sq. ft. space. They sought to align Vidiots with the work of the decade’s emerging “independent” filmmakers, as well as experimental, performance, video, and musical artists. Tauber and Polinger’s goal was to satisfy both the mainstream movie fan as well as the cinephile. They nailed it.

Maggie Mackay's interest in film developed as a child growing up in NYC, where she spent hours at Film Forum, and her local video store, Rare Bird Video. Mackay holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Film Studies from the University of Delaware, and a Masters Degree in Literature and Film Studies from Claremont Graduate University. Among many gigs, she has been Senior Coordinator of the Sundance Documentary Fund, Senior Programmer of the L.A. Film Festival, and Director of Nominations for the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Mackay proudly came "home" to her video store roots when she joined Vidiots in May, 2016.