Preserve a Community Cinema Born from Love

Help Save The Cinelounge Theater

A Community Cinema Built with Love—Now Needs Your Support

Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Film Lovers,

this cinema is a community asset and was built with a dream—to create something truly special for everyone. A place where people of all ages could come together, escape into stories, spark conversations, and experience the magic of film in a warm, welcoming, and beautifully curated space.

We put everything we had into building the Cinelounge. We maxed out our credit cards. We poured in every ounce of our time, energy, and heart. And for a while, it worked—we saw children’s laughter at matinees, spirited discussions at filmmaker Q&As, and friendships form in the glow of the screen.

But in the past year, we’ve been hit hard. The industry-wide strikes, the lasting impacts of the pandemic, the rise of streaming, and now a massive rent increase have created a perfect storm. Despite our best efforts, we’re now facing the heartbreaking reality that if things don’t change—we will have to close our doors.

That’s why we’ve made the decision to shift our business model and officially operate Cinelounge under a nonprofit 501(c)3 named Belvedere Tiburon Film Society. For years, we’ve already been offering free access to events, hosting community nights, and partnering with local organizations—purely out of our own belief in the importance of what we do. Operating under nonprofit status gives us the opportunity to do even more for our community—and hopefully, keep this special space alive.

We’re asking for your help—not just to save our theater, but to protect a place where the arts live, where stories matter, and where our community comes together.

Your donation will help us:

Cover critical operating costs as we transition into a nonprofit

Expand free and low-cost community programming

Keep screening bold, beautiful, and diverse films

Remain a cultural cornerstone in Tiburon for years to come

The Things That We Will Be Able To Do in 2026:

Relaunch The Tiburon Film Festival

Relaunch The Tiburon Children's Film Festival

Align and Partner With SF Film Organizations as a Marin component

Specialty Weekend Retrospects With Top-Tier Filmmakers

Increase the Economic Impact The Cinelounge Delivers Downtown

Bridge Youth and Local Filmmakers On The Big-Screen

Whether you've attended an event, sent a friend, or simply believe in the power of cinematic arts—we invite you to be part of this next chapter. Please consider donating, and help us spread the word.

From the bottom of our hearts: thank you.

For believing in us. For showing up. And for giving this little cinema its soul.

With love and gratitude,

Christian Meoli

Executive Director, Belvedere Tiburon Film Society