In 2015, director Ava DuVernay toured to promote her hit film ‘Selma’.
She noticed a recurring problem. Independent filmmakers faced massive barriers to distribution. She took action and founded ARRAY.
It operates as an independent film distribution and resource collective. Today, it includes a completely free, public creative campus in Los Angeles.
End-to-end creator support
Mercedes Cooper serves as the Executive VP of Public Programming. She explains that the organization provides full-circle support for diverse creators.
“We distribute films, we make films, and then we show films here on our creative campus in Los Angeles,” Cooper notes.
The Amanda Cinema and campus life
The Amanda Cinema is the beating heart of the campus. This dedicated screening room features plush blue seating.
Best of all, every event and screening is entirely free for the community. The facility also features indoor lounge areas with comfy beanbag chairs.
Outside, attendees gather in a vibrant courtyard to share meals before and after events.
Driving narrative change
You can’t miss the building’s striking exterior mural, which features women in hair rollers.
Inside, the programming covers everything from indie features to specialized events like the ‘Surf Skate Society’ summer series.
Located at 180 Glendale Blvd, film remains the core focus. However, the ultimate mission is driving storytelling and narrative change.
