At our core, our mission is to offer filmmakers and audiences alike unique cinematic experiences tailored to communities everywhere. Bring global stories to local audiences. Build community in person, and online. And nurture a human-centered distribution network.

What We Do

Kinema is a tech platform that enables non-theatrical exhibition — what you may call grassroots screening tours — of films in person and online. We make it easy and rewarding for anyone, anywhere to organize moving showings and share in the proceeds.

We’re building the world’s largest network of screening hosts, from unique mixed use physical spaces to curated influencer led virtual cinemas — there is a Kinema to connect audiences everywhere with powerful films of all kinds.

Our team is committed to being a resource to filmmakers and distributors by providing a new way of digital distribution, marketing, and monetization.

Our Why

Stories are more powerful when shared. The pandemic taught us that the film-going experience can exist beyond the traditional movie theater. With Kinema we’re enabling global storytellers to connect with local audiences, and putting the power of curation directly in the hands of community leaders and influencers.

People Love Moviegoing

We love movie theaters and are thrilled to see people filing them back up already. We’re here to support and expand that theatrical experience, bringing it into neighborhoods and spaces where there are no movie theaters or where theaters aren’t playing independent or international cinema.

Over the last year, as the ability to gather in large public spaces diminished, the demand for films, shows and connection grew. As the world makes the gradual transition to reopen, there will be more demand for the ‘new normal’ to which we became accustomed: a colorful variety of large, virtual and small in-person gatherings to enjoy entertainment together.

Giving the Tools, Building the Network

So what does this look like? In stealth while fundraising, Kinema built a platform and suite of tools purposefully designed to give hosts the power and control to create meaningful events. Together with our host network, we have had over 450 screenings for tens of thousands of audience members. We also recently partnered with influencers and the creative community for the AAPI Storyteller’s Festival on Virtual Kinema. We create the tools, we curate the films but the experience of the event is entirely in the hands of the hosts, co-hosts and audience.

What’s In a Name

Kinema is simply Cinema but with the letter K and K sound. The word “kinematograph” was born out of the combination of “kinumai” (“to move, be in motion, go”) and “grapho” (“write, inscribe”) in order to describe the new machines that could capture objects with and in motion. Over time, kinematography became cinematography, and kinema became cinema.

We love the word Kinema, as it represents for what we believe in: motion, moving forward and innovating with industry. It was popular at a time of great innovation and the birth of cinema. Which is exactly where we feel we are now.

Additionally, we loved learning that Thomas Jefferson’s Kinetegraph was never patented, enabling any inventor to recreate and iterate on. That’s our vision, to make Kinema a tool for everyone to use in their own way.

Come Hang With Us

Join us for Kinema's weekly screening series and live discussions, Movie Monday, every Monday at 5pm pt/8pm et.