a community geared toward preservation
our mission in three steps
Our mission is to restore and preserve the art, history, and community of physical media stores while providing a nostalgic reminder of the need for real physical interactions over digital doomscrolling and isolation. CINEMANIACS is built around three core experiences designed to bring back the magic of physical media, movie nights, and real community connection.
Movie Club & Video Rental
Rather than copying the old Blockbuster model with expensive rentals and late fees, CINEMANIACS uses a simple monthly membership—more like a library card for movie lovers. Members can rent as many films as they like, enjoy discounts on merch, popcorn, and screenings, and get access to exclusive members-only events.
Microtheater & Event Space
Inside the store, we’re creating a cozy microtheater for film screenings and community events. This space will also be available to rent—perfect for indie filmmakers premiering their work, birthday parties, private screenings, and anyone craving a nostalgic movie-night experience.
Popcorn Shop
We’re partnering with Kacie’s Kettlecorn to make CINEMANIACS your all-in-one movie-night destination. Alongside our rentals and events, we’ll serve up the best theater-quality snacks at prices real people can afford—because no great movie night is complete without great popcorn.
The Importance of Preserving Physical Media
This is where the story started for us...
As filmmakers we found ourselves working on a small documentary project that only got bigger and bigger as we talked to people around the country at independent video stores like WeLuvVideo in Austin, Movie Madness in Portland, and even the last Blockbuster Video in Bend, OR. We began to rediscover the richness of community that was lost with the slow death of physical media and brick and mortar stores that supported them, as well as the importance of preserving the films we grew up with that mean so much to us. Because licensing issues and movies that are lost to time are only the beginning of the trouble!
partnering with a popcorn shop
CINEMANIACS is partnering with Kacie's Kettlecorn, founded and operated by Libby Poor, to give a unique spin to their video store/popcorn shop/small events venue. Because what could be a better match than MOVIES & POPCORN?
KACIE'S KETTLECORN has been a thriving Abilene business for well over a decade now, catering events, filling holiday orders, and attending events like Christmas Carousel & Christmas in November! This will be a long requested fulfillment for Kacie's Kettlecorn to get a storefront.
