True West Film Center is building a state-of-the-art complex in downtown Healdsburg. With three big-screen cinemas, education studios, and social spaces, our James Redford Campus will be a vibrant cultural destination in the heart of California’s wine country.
Opening this fall.
Our multi-year, $5.6 million capital campaign began in 2022, generating $3.6 million for the new center. We broke ground and began construction in September, 2024. In April, 2025, as construction continued, we launched Campaign to Open True West, a community fundraising drive that invites individuals and businesses to provide critical funding needed to bring the film center to life.
Donors to the campaign will receive name recognition on bricks placed at the threshold of the new cinemas, seats in the theaters, or pavers laid throughout the courtyard. Campaign to Open True West kicked off with a generous pledge from the Foley Family of Foley Family Wine and Spirits to match the first $100,000 raised within the first four weeks of the drive.
Please join us in bringing excellent film experiences to Sonoma County! Inventory is limited, so act quickly to purchase your brick, seat or paver. All gifts are 100% tax deductible.
Bricks: $500 each
Theater Seats: $2,500 each
Pavers: $5,000 each
For more information and to make a gift, check out the order form.
Larger naming opportunities are also available. For details, please contact Executive Director Kathryn Philip.
February 10
July 29
Contract is signed with Eddinger. Construction is days away.
July 22
Building Permit issued by the City of Healdsburg.
July 2
Board approves revised drawings, budget, and contractor contract.
May 5
Staff announces an anonymous $1 million dollar donation in support of the new film center.
March 13
AVFilm announces it will become True West Film Center in summer 2024.
September
The Board decides to rebrand AVFilm to better reflect the vitality and reach of the organization.
April 1
Tours begin in the raw cinema space at 371 Healdsburg Ave.
December 7
The Board approves the film center project and the signing of leases.
March
Lease negotiations commence.
May
The new film center is seeded by AVFilm donors.
December
Staff identifies 371 Healdsburg Ave as an ideal option for a new cinema.
November
The landlord of the Raven Film Center decides that a movie theater is no longer wanted in the space.
September 20
Executive Director Kathryn Philip meets SF Giants Executive Alfonso Felder to discuss partnering on reopening the Raven Film
Center.
September 17
AVFilm convenes a group of community stakeholders to brainstorm about reopening the Raven Film Center.
July
The Raven Film Center closes due to COVID.
Our Belief
Sharing film experiences positively transforms individual lives and the broader community by generating joy, creating new understandings, and opening hearts and minds.
The Problem
Movie theaters, which are a primary communal space, have closed across the region, eliminating what had traditionally been a social hub. Adults are more divided and isolated than ever, and young people are reporting record levels of disconnection and poor mental health. The North Bay needs a center with a community gathering place for watching movies, and film & media arts education, a maker space for storytellers, and a setting where individuals of all ages can meet and connect.
How We Will Solve It
The new Film Center will greatly enhance life in the North Bay by connecting the community with movies and each other. Through film’s unique accessibility and power to unite and educate, we inspire people and stimulate dialogue. We enrich individual lives to invite a more inclusive, empathetic, and informed society.
Our Vision
The new Film Center will be an accessible center welcoming a richly diverse community for cinematic exploration. Through education, entertainment, and the support of artists, we will courageously challenge the status quo, lifting up and centering each unique voice.
Anonymous (3)
Jeff & Heidi Abramson
Cecilia Absher & David A Katz
Renu Agrawal & David Weber
Kim & Gregory Alexander
Nancy Andrews
Pam & Larry Baer
Maria Behan
Kimberly Bender
Caroline Bontia
Virginie Boone
Naomi Brilliant
Gail and Kris Brodie
David & Diane Burnley
Pat Callahan
Susan Campbell & John McKinney
Cartograph
Chris & Keena Clifford
Andrea Cochran
Colibri Vineyard
Michiko Conklin
Conrad Family
John Cooper
Dexter Ranch Cole Creek Vineyard
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
Karen Dotson
Trudy & William Drypolcher
E&M Electric
Dobie Edmunds
C. Frederick & Dinna V. Eisenhart
Kerry & Andrew Elkind
Ann Elston & Larry Lossing
Barbara Epstein
Sandy Erickson & Erickson Fine Art Gallery, Inc.
Leslie & Todd Everett
Alfonso & Tara Felder
Foley Family Charitable Foundation
Foundation For Global Sports Development
Kerry Francis & John Jimerson
Jacqueline Frank
Barbara & Matthew Frome
Norman & Judy Fujita
Raymond Gadbois
Fay Gallus & Dr. Richard Sweet
Claudia Grebe
Lisa Grotts
Geri Hadley
Susan Hamric
Fred Hartwick
Richard Hay, Jr.
Healdsburg Chamber & Stay Healdsburg
Healdsburg Phase II Partners
Gloria Hersch
Susan & Steve Hill
Ray Holley
Anne Himmelstein & Turner Newton
Janet Horton
Marc & Jeanie Kahn
Hillary & Michael Kambour
Zoey Kambour
Jeanne & Stephen Kearns
John Keker
Ariel & Tim Kelley
Curt Kirschner
John & Sheila Kitlen
Terry Leach
Lockridge Charitable Foundation
Liz Loebel
Marcia Lucas
Michael Lumpkin & Mark Page
Phyllis Lusher
Susan Macaluso
Jonathan Marlow
Kevin & Rosemary McNeely
Max McNeely
Michelle Mercer & Bruce Golden
The Merriam Family
Winky & David Merrill
Wendy Mogel & Michael Tolkin
Care Morgenstern
Cristina & Robert Morris
Kathleen Mullen
Mary & Scott Newman
Claire O’Neill
John Perkins
Kathryn Philip
Mary M. Prchal
Melinda & Paul Pressler
Barbara Rankin
Charles Rauch
Lydia Revelos
Lisa & Michael Rhodes
Renn Rhodes & Marty Roberts
Rotary Club of Healdsburg
Randy Schai & Sarah Miller
Jeffrey Schlesinger & Isis Moussa
Gregg & Greta Schoenberg
Eric Schwartz & Magda Wesslund
Merritt and Pamela Sher Fund
Andy Shrader
Eric & Nick Small
SoFi
Jan & Brent Stanley
Summit State Bank
Tricia Tanoury
Tietz Family Foundation
Rob Tufel & Michael Sasso
Shoshana Ungerleider
The Vernon Family
Marcus Ward
Brian Watanabe
Jade Weymouth
Connie White
Ruth & Martin Wilson
Stay up to date on upcoming events, educational programming and the new film center!
Stay up to date on upcoming events, education programming and the new film center!
