Contact: Margot Gerber
323.461.2020, ext. 115
AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE TO EXPAND PROGRAMMING TO
AERO THEATRE IN SANTA MONICA
CAA CO-CHAIRMAN RICK NICITA NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Hollywood - The American Cinematheque has signed an agreement to operate the Aero Theatre on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, with developer Jim Rosenfield and his partner John Bucksbaum. Cinematheque Director Barbara Smith announced that the non-profit American Cinematheque, owners and operators of Grauman's Hollywood Egyptian Theatre, will expand programming to the Aero Theatre in Fall 2003.
As the Cinematheque expands, the organization's board has also undergone changes. Long time Co-Chairmen, Peter J. Dekom and Mike Medavoy have passed the reigns to CAA agent Rick Nicita who has been named Chairman of the Board. Dekom and Medavoy are now Chairmen Emeritus. Henry Shields, Jr. was re-elected as Board President and Variety Editor Peter Bart and Mary Anne Keshen, Ch-Chairman, Retail Enterprise Group/Realty Trust Advisors were elected Vice Presidents. Paul Bloch, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, and William Friedkin have joined the Board.
"The American Cinematheque has been a major cultural resource whose influence extends far beyond the Hollywood community," said Nicita. "The addition of the Aero to the already successful operation at the Egyptian will allow many more movie fans to see great films."
Rick Nicita is Co-Chairman of the Los Angeles based literary and talent agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Prior to his appointment a Co-Chairman, he was co-head of the Motion Picture department and head of the Talent department at CAA. He began his career at the William Morris Agency in New York. He joined CAA in 1980.
The Aero Theatre opened January 10, 1940. It was built by Donald Douglas of Douglas Aircraft fame. Today, it is one of the few remaining single-screen neighborhood theaters in the Los Angeles area. The theatre is located at
1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403. The Cinematheque will soon be taking over the website: www.aerotheatre.com
Having restored and rehabilitated the landmark 1922 Egyptian Theatre (re-opened on December 4, 1998), the American Cinematheque takes on the Aero Theatre as a second venue. The Aero will remain a single screen theatre with new projection and sound systems and enhanced acoustics, as well as a renovated concession stand,. The exterior features of the building, including the marquee, roofline, storefronts and ticket booth will remain intact.
James Rosenfield is the President of J.S. Rosenfield & Co, Inc., a Santa Monica based retail real estate company that specializes in renovating unique retail properties. In addition to the Aero Theater, J.S. Rosenfield & Co. owns the Waterworks building on Montana Avenue and the Brentwood Country Mart in Brentwood. Mr. Rosenfield owns the Aero Theater in Santa Monica with his partner and friend John Bucksbaum of Chicago, Illinois.
Established in 1981, the American Cinematheque, is a non-profit, viewer-supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the celebration of the Moving Picture in all its forms. The Cinematheque presents film and video programming which ranges from the classics and world cinemas to the outer frontiers of the art form at the Egyptian Theatre. Exhibition of rare works, special prints within our series, etc., combined with fascinating post-screening discussions with the filmmakers who created the work, are a Cinematheque tradition that keep audiences coming back for once-in-a-lifetime cinema experiences. The American Cinematheque renovated and re-opened (on December 4, 1998), the historic 1922 Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard as a permanent home. This is a state-of-the-art, 616-seat theatre housed within Sid Grauman's first grand movie palace on Hollywood Boulevard. The exotic courtyard is fully restored to its 1922 grandeur. The Egyptian was the home of the very first Hollywood movie premiere in 1922. Please call for photos or press kits. To learn how you can help preserve this historic landmark by contributing to the capital campaign, please call 323.461.2020, ext. 111.
The general public can get information about the programs of the American Cinematheque at www.egyptiantheatre.com or www.americancinematheque.com. Our public information line is 323.466.FILM.
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