Balboa Theater 100th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Party: 5:00 pm
Unveiling of Sandow Birk / Elyse Pignolet Mural: 6:30 pm
1st Balboa Award recipient Aggie Rodgers: 7:00 pm
Movie Times: 7:15 – 7:30 pm
Balboa Theater
3630 Balboa Street
City of San Francisco
Attire: Cocktail/Date Night
Questions: info@cinemasfbay.org
CinemaSFbay is thrilled to announce the historic Balboa Theater’s 100th Anniversary Celebration on April 18, 2026, honoring the award-winning career of wardrobe designer Aggie Rodgers with the 1st annual Balboa Award and unveiling the landmark Sandow Birk and Elyse Pignolet’s mural “A century of filmmaking in San Francisco.” Plus, a night at the movies!
All proceeds will benefit CinemaSFbay’s general fund to keep the historic Balboa Theater (1926), Vogue Theater (1912), and 4-Star Theater (1913) to educate the general public in the art and science of motion pictures, including independent, documentary, classic, foreign-language, underrepresented, and other culturally significant films.
The Evening
The Balboa’s 100th Anniversary Celebration begins with the unveiling of the new landmark mural at the entrance of The Balboa Theater by renowned artist Sandow Birk and Oakland native ceramist Elyse Pignolet: “A century of filmmaking in San Francisco.”
Next CinemaSFbay will present the First Annual Balboa Award to Oscar-nominated wardrobe designer Aggie Rodgers.
After a “sizzle reel” highlighting Rodger’s incredible career, she will introduce two of her iconic motion pictures American Graffiti and Invasion of the Body Snatchers both with scenes shot in San Francsico and depicted in the Birk/Pignolet mural. You will decide which movie you wish to enjoy. With one film screening in each of the Balboa’s theaters, there will be music and special guests, cocktails, and elevated takes on classic movie concessions — yes, the popcorn will be fresh, hot and buttered.
One historic night. Red carpet. Two screens. Countless stars. One hundred years.
Why This Night Matters
For 100 years, the Balboa Theater has been more than a movie house. It is a neighborhood theater for storytelling and entertainment for all ages — where families shared Sunday matinees, first dates unfolded, double features gave us comfort.
We learned about ourselves, past, present, and future, laughing, screaming, crying in our seats together as we watch the light projected onto the big screen, sharing our humanity and coming out of the darkness together.
Your support ensures this San Francisco landmark continues to thrive — not as nostalgia, but as a living cultural institution for the next century.
All sponsorships and tickets include full access to the evening’s festivities — including the award presentation, film screening, craft cocktails, wine, classic movie concessions (including unlimited popcorn), and the post-party celebration in the neighborhood.
No add-ons. One ticket covers it all.
Mission Statement
CinemaSFbay is a registered 501(c)(3) California non-profit public benefit corporation with a mission to educate the general public in the art and science of motion pictures, including independent, documentary, classic, foreign-language, underrepresented, and other culturally diverse and significant films, entertainment, and arts education and to ensure long-term sustainability of our historic neighborhood cinemas — Balboa Theater (1926), the Vogue Theater (1912), and the 4-Star Theater (1913). CinemaSFbay EIN: [99-1949270]
All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The tax-deductible portion of each sponsorship and ticket will be provided at checkout.
About the 2026 Annual CinemaSFbay Pass
Included at the Visionary and Legacy Sponsor levels:
- Free admission for two people, every day of 2026
- Valid at the Balboa, 4-Star, and Vogue theaters
- One large popcorn to share at each visit
- Unlimited use throughout the calendar year
Use your Annual Pass at any CinemaSFbay theater every day with a friend — and share a large popcorn.
