L.A.'s Greatest Video Store Is Celebrating Its 30th Birthday In Style

Santa Monica video store Vidiots is celebrating its 30th birthday like anyone else would after given a second chance at life.

The first-ever Vidiotsfest kicks off next week to celebrate the video store, which has long been a mainstay of L.A.'s cinephile community. Appropriately, the events scheduled for Vidiotsfest—including special screenings, discussions, a cartoon marathon, and even an acting workshop with Carl Weathers—are all '80s flavored.

The 15th of this month marks the store's 30th anniversary, but the cinephile hub was facing the possibility of not making that milestone. At the end of January, co-founders Cathy Tauber and Patty Polinger announced that the store would have to close its doors in April, as victims of the streaming age. With the help of Hollywood producer Megan Ellison and longtime customer Dr. Leonard M. Lipman, Vidiots will hopefully celebrate another 30 years to come.

Here's the slate of events that will make up Vidiotsfest:

• November 10: A special screening of Desperately Seeking Susan at the Aero Theatre, starring Madonna and Rosanna Arquette, with a post-screening discussion with director Susan Seidelman.
• November 13: A conversation with director Michael Mann (Heat, Miami Vice), moderated by Kris Tapley of Variety.
• November 14: A Saturday morning Cartoon Cavalcade, featuring The Real Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Inspector Gadget and The Smurfs, with milk, coffee, and donuts. Bring the kids!
• November 14: An afternoon acting workshop with Carl Weathers (Rocky, Predator). Apply through this link to participate for free.
• November 14: And in the evening, Party Like It's 1985 with cocktails, 80s music, raffles, games, and live music from The Standards.
• November 15: An afternoon discussion about the intersection of politics and film, with Scandal actor Tony Goldwyn and NPR's Renee Montagne.
• November 15: A live episode of The Canon podcast, with L.A. Weekly's Amy Nicholson and Birth Movies Death's Devin Faraci, with special guest Elijah Wood.

Also on the 15th will be as-yet to be announced event to mark their anniversary.
Fans can make their picks for the best films and performances of 1985 in the Vidiots Rewind Awards, happening in conjunction with Vidiotsfest. The winners will be announced on the weekend of the 12th. Click here to vote.

Be kind, rewind, and celebrate the 30th anniversary of an L.A. institution! Check out their website for more information.