Venues like the Tower Theatre, Historic Crest Theatre, and Visalia Fox Theatre showcase cinema classics and fan favorites. Now, add Cen Cal Cinema to the mix.

The nonprofit aims to bring free movie screenings to Fresno residents who might lack access to the cinematic arts.

Roque Rodriguez, founder of Cen Cal Cinema, said the idea “came about as a way to bridge the gap of my community steeped in agriculture with my love of film, and give families an opportunity to have a communal movie viewing experience with no barriers to attend the event.”

Related Story: Looking for a New Year’s Eve Party in Fresno? Check Out This List

Origins of Cen Cal Cinema

The creation of Cen Cal Cinema comes from the team behind Swede Fest. It’s a film festival that originated in Fresno in 2008 featuring low-budget recreations of Hollywood movies or TV shows. The goal was to bring filmmakers together and showcase their creativity.

Rodriguez’s passion project became a reality when he received a 2024 Expanded Access to Arts and Culture grant of $37,690. It was the first disbursement funded by the Measure P sales tax and administered by the Fresno Arts Council with assistance from the Community Media Access Collaborative.

EAAC grants totaling $9.46 million from Measure P revenue have been distributed to 112 arts and culture organizations and projects in Fresno.

Inaugural Screening and Future Plans

Their inaugural screening is the “Weird Al” Yankovic starring comedy cult classic “UHF” on Friday, Jan. 24, at CMAC in downtown Fresno. There also will be a “Weird Al” look-alike contest.

Four more free screenings are planned through June 2025.

For more information, click here.