True West Film Center Announces Opening Dates For Its Cinemas at True West in Downtown Healdsburg

A House of Dynamite and After the Hunt to Open the Cinemas at True West on Friday, October 17

Grand Opening Festivities Set for Saturday, October 25 with Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein

[Healdsburg, CA] — True West Film Center, the non-profit film organization, today announced its opening dates for the Cinemas at True West, the newest destination for North Bay movie goers. The cinemas are the focal point of the film center’s James Redford Campus located at 371 Healdsburg Avenue. Cinema doors will open to the public on Friday, October 17. The Grand Opening Celebration will take place on Saturday, October 25, following a VIP Preview on Friday, October 24, 2025.

“We believe movies are meant to be experienced together, and our goal is to create a welcoming space where everyone can enjoy great films in comfort and style,” said Hillary Kambour, Chair of True West Film Center’s Board of Directors. “This grand opening marks the beginning of a new cultural hub in Healdsburg for North Bay audiences to enjoy cinema 365 days a year.”

The project is being funded through the Campaign to Open True West, a multi-year $5.6M capital campaign which has generated $4.75M to date and runs through December, 2026. The new venue comprises three theaters with a total of 102 seats and seven spaces for wheelchairs. The cinemas offer state-of-the-art theatrical exhibition, luxury seating, and a bespoke food and wine program featuring local providers.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director John Cooper, the Cinemas at True West will offer studio films, repertory screenings, family programs, and community events aimed at expanding film culture beyond the screen.

“The cinemas have become a reality thanks to an extraordinary group of people who contributed inspiration, vision, ideas, and financial resources because they understand how a vibrant film center elevates a community’s quality of life,” said Executive Director Kathryn Philip. “We are deeply grateful for the dedication and support of so many people, and humbled by the opportunity to serve Healdsburg, Northern Sonoma County, and the broader region with first-run movies and repertory films, alongside our educational programs and community collaborations.”

On Friday, October 17, the cinemas will open to the public with two new releases: Academy Award-winner Katherine Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite and Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt. Other films showing within the first month include Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanor the Great, and repertory screenings of Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and Wes Craven’s Scream. Tickets, showtimes, and more specific information about the cinema’s offerings will be available in early October.

The schedule of events for the Grand Opening Celebration is:

Friday, October 24, 2025

VIP Preview – An invitation-only evening for high-level donors to experience the premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and enjoy a private reception.

Saturday, October 25, 2025

• 12noon – 2pm – Donor Brunch and Ribbon Cutting – A private jazz brunch for donors and
  invited guests to celebrate the official ribbon cutting for the Cinemas.
• 2:00 – 5:00 pm – Block Party – An open invitation to friends and neighbors to check out
  the cinemas, catch short films, sample concessions, and enjoy live music in the
  courtyard.
• 5:30 pm – Regular cinema schedule resumes
• 5:30 pm – Coco – The first of two free screenings of the modern animated classic Coco, presented at 5:30 pm in Spanish language. Free tickets required and available to book in early October at truewestfilmcenter.org.
• 8:00 pm – Coco – Presented in English language, with Spanish subtitles. Free tickets required and available to book in early October at truewestfilmcenter.org.

The cinemas are the centerpiece of True West Film Center’s 8,000 square-foot James Redford Campus located in downtown Healdsburg. In addition to the cinemas, the Campus includes spaces for educational and community programs and administrative offices. With the new facilities, True West projects it will serve 45,000 people per year starting in 2026, expanding its current audience by nearly 10 times. Within one year of opening, the Campus is projected to generate $2 million in new economic activity for Sonoma County.

The project architect is Tom Rael of Rael Architecture, and Eddinger Enterprises of Healdsburg led construction. Alfonso Felder, SVP of Administration and Facilities for the San Francisco Giants, served as volunteer project consultant. Theaters are equipped with Christie Digital Laser Projectors and Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound. Interior tile was provided by Healdsburg-based McIntyre Tile. The True West Film Center marquee was fabricated and installed by Healdsburg Signs.

To date, the $5.6 million Campaign to Open True West has generated $4.75 million and will run through December, 2026. Donors who have made significant contributions include: Anonymous (2), Pam and Larry Baer, Naomi Brilliant, Susan Campbell and John McKinney, Dan Carroll and Stasia Obremskey, Alan Baker and Serena Lourie of Cartograph Wines, Chris and Keena Clifford, Michiko Conklin, EandM, Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Trudy and William Drypolcher, C. Frederick and Dinna V. Eisenhart, Alfonso and Tara Felder, Foley Family Charitable Foundation, Foundation for Global Sports Development, Kerry Francis and John Jimerson, Barbara and Matthew Frome, Fred Hartwick, Healdsburg Chamber and Stay Healdsburg, Marc and Jeanie Kahn, Michael and Hillary Kambour, John Keker, Ariel Kelley, Larry Linden and Dana Wechsler Linden, Eric and Nick Small of the Lockridge Charitable Foundation, Marcia Lucas, Phyllis Lusher, Kevin and Rosemary McNeely, The Merriam Family, Winky and David Merrill, Care Morgenstern, Cristina and Robert Morris, Mary and Scott Newman, Anne Himmelstein and Turner Newton, Poseley Family, Paul and Melinda Pressler, Renn Rhodes and Marty Roberts, Lisa and Michael Rhodes, Eric Schwartz and Magda Wesslund, Merritt and Pamela Sher Fund, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, Jan and Brent Stanley, Tricia Tanoury, Tietz Family Foundation, Shoshana Ungerleider, and Brian Watanabe.