Balboa Theatre celebrates 100th anniversary with mural, costume designer honor

The historic San Francisco movie theater will unveil a new mural and honor an Oscar-nominated costume designer as part of its centennial celebration.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Balboa Theatre in San Francisco's Richmond District is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary on April 18, 2026. The festivities will include the unveiling of a mural celebrating the city's film history and an honor for Oscar-nominated costume designer Aggie Guerard Rodgers.

Why it matters

The Balboa Theatre is a beloved independent movie house that has been a fixture in the San Francisco community for a century. Its centennial celebration highlights the theater's enduring role in the city's cultural landscape and its commitment to showcasing film, art, and music.

The details

As part of the celebration, artists Sandow Birk and Elyse Pignolet will present their mural 'A century of filmmaking in San Francisco.' Aggie Guerard Rodgers, who was nominated for an Academy Award for best costume design for Steven Spielberg's 'The Color Purple' in 1986, will receive the first annual Balboa Award. Rodgers will then introduce screenings of the Bay Area classics 'American Graffiti' and 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' on the Balboa's two screens.

  • The Balboa Theatre's 100th anniversary celebration is scheduled for April 18, 2026.

The players

Balboa Theatre

A historic independent movie theater in San Francisco's Richmond District that has been operating for 100 years.

CinemaSFbay

A nonprofit organization that operates the Balboa, Vogue, and 4 Star theaters in San Francisco.

Sandow Birk

An artist who is co-creating a mural celebrating San Francisco's film history for the Balboa Theatre's centennial celebration.

Elyse Pignolet

An artist who is co-creating a mural celebrating San Francisco's film history for the Balboa Theatre's centennial celebration.

Aggie Guerard Rodgers

An Oscar-nominated costume designer who will receive the first annual Balboa Award as part of the theater's 100th anniversary celebration.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Balboa Theatre's 100th anniversary celebration on April 18, 2026 will include the unveiling of a new mural, the presentation of the first annual Balboa Award to an Oscar-nominated costume designer, and the screening of two Bay Area classic films.

The takeaway

The Balboa Theatre's centennial celebration highlights the enduring importance of independent movie theaters in preserving a city's cultural heritage and providing a space for the community to come together and experience the art of filmmaking.