Welcome to
The Fall 2026 semester’s Cinematheque will run for five weeks, meeting every Wednesday from 6:00-9:30 PM in the Armer Screening Room, starting on September 16 and concluding on October 14.
The series, The Big Dream: David Lynch’s Hollywood Trilogy and Three Key Films to Unlock Its Mysteries, explores Lynch’s Lost Highway (1997), Mulholland Drive (2001), and Inland Empire (2006) alongside three landmark films that illuminate their themes and cinematic language: Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid’s Meshes of the Afternoon (1943), Ingmar Bergman’s Persona (1966), and Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2 (1963). Through screenings and discussion, the series examines Lynch’s relationship to Hollywood, identity, performance, dreams, memory, and the boundaries between fantasy and reality.
The CSUN Cinematheque is an innovative year-round film screening program housed in the Elaine and Alan Armer Screening Room, a state-of-the-art 130 seat motion picture theater on the CSUN campus. Founded by the late Dr. John E. Schultheiss, it is the only venue of its kind in the San Fernando Valley. The Cinematheque presents thematically designed retrospectives of classic films, as well as aesthetically significant contemporary releases--in conjunction with the appearance of featured guest artists for lectures and panel discussions. Conceptual presentations are devoted to: filmographies of important directors, writers, actors, cinematographers; essential genre works; seminal documentaries; major literary, philosophical, narrative themes and traditions; defining technical and artistic models and styles. The Cinematheque is also intended as a regular venue for film organizations, student film competitions, and conferences. Collaboration is encouraged with local studios, guilds, and academies for screenings and related events.
The majority of CSUN Cinematheque screenings support the academic mission of the Cinema and Television Arts Department. These are provided in conjunction with a lecture or Q&A.
Screenings and events are open to the public and are listed on the PUBLIC SCREENING SCHEDULE.
The Elaine and Alan Armer Screening Room is located on the Cal State Northridge Campus • 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge CA 91330 • Manzanita Hall Room 100 (MZ100).
Elaine and Alan Armer Screening Room
Schedule of Public Screenings
The Armer Theater – Manzanita Hall Room 100
Free and open to the public
The screening room is equipped with 35mm film projectors and a theatrical digital projection system featuring Dolby sound sourced from DCP, Blu-Ray, Mp4, DVD, DVCPRO, DVCAM, DV, and VHS sources.
To Reserve the Armer Theater
The primary use of the Elaine and Alan Armer Screening Room is to support the teaching curriculum of the Department of Cinema and Television Arts. Other departments on campus may reserve the facility for screening events when it is available. There is a cost recovery fee for this service.
Contact William Wilson for information about reserving the theater for on-campus events.
Contact Prof. Dianah Wynter to suggest a film or event for the CSUN Cinematheque.
Requests for use of the theater by off-campus clients must be submitted through University Licensing.
The CSUN Cinematheque is operated by the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication in cooperation with the Department of Cinema and Television Arts
MAILING ADDRESS
CSUN Cinematheque
c/o Department of Cinema and Television Arts
Manzanita 195
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8317
LOCATION
The Elaine and Alan Armer Screening Room
Manzanita Hall, Room 100
Click here to view a campus map.
The closest parking to Manzanita Hall is Student Lot B1 or Student Lot B3 (Parking Structure). The University requires a parking permit to park in the University parking lots. Parking permits are available for purchase ($8.50) at self-help kiosks located in the parking lots. These accept credit cards and cash.
PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR/SCHEDULING
Dianah Wynter
Email: dwynter@csun.edu
(818) 677-7944
(818) 677-3192 (messages)
THEATER OPERATIONS
William Wilson
Email: william.wilson@csun.edu
MZ 194
(818) 677-7095
Map to Manzanita Hall
The closest parking to Manzanita Hall is Student Lot B1 or Student Lot B3 (Parking Structure). The University requires a parking permit to park in the University parking lots. Parking permits are available for purchase ($8.50) at self-help kiosks located in the parking lots. These accept credit cards and cash. The screening room is located in Manzanita Hall (MZ100) and is labeled AS on this map. The Gallery of Film Poster Art is on the first floor, beginning in the HFPA Wing and ending at the Elaine and Alan Armer Screening Room.
