Supporting Southeast Ohio’s Premier Art House Cinema
Every gift matters.
Educate, Entertain, Engage
The Athena Cinema is one of several unique historic treasures in Uptown Athens. In 2025, we celebrated 110 years of continuous operation as a movie theater. Our mission is to bring the finest independent film to Southeastern Ohio and create a shared space for dialogue.
DONATE to the Athena Cinema Support Fund
- Once you click the link above, you’ll be directed to the Ohio University Donation Homepage. You can then choose to donate a pre-set amount or an amount of your choosing, and indicate whether you’d like your donation to be an annually recurring gift.
- Next, you’ll need to enter “Athena Cinema Support Fund” in the search area and select that option to ensure that your donated funds will be properly applied to The Athena.
- Lastly, please be sure to complete the rest of the required fields (marked with a “red asterisk”) so that your donation can be successfully processed.
Donations of $500 or more are eligible for a “Thank You” pre-show slide at the theater, featuring a logo, name and other relevant information. Please call us at 740.594.7382 to make arrangements.
Below are some of the many things made possible through your generous support:
State of the Art Digital Projection
We offer the latest digital cinema technology and equipment operated by highly trained projectionists.
Preservation of Film Projection
Our commitment to preserving the tradition of exhibiting film is part of how we celebrate our cinematic history. Few venues across the country are capable of showing 35mm and 16mm film. The Athena is the oldest theater in Ohio to continuously exhibit film.
Movies You Can’t See Anywhere Else In the Region
From Academy Award-winning foreign films, to indie movies by promising new directors, to screenings of celebrated classics by beloved auteurs, we offer programming that can’t be matched.
Sponsored, Low-Cost and Free Admission Events
Making movie-going affordable is part of our mission. Whether our patrons are students or a family on a fixed income, we are committed to serving the underserved in our region. Your gift will contribute to free educational and art screenings for the public.
Maintaining the Integrity of the Athena
Your support will help maintain the beauty and integrity of our Art Deco theater for years to come.
Film Plus Programming
Every year we host dozens of events including Ohio University student screenings, environmental panels, and the always-anticipated Athens International Film and Video Festival. We attempt to bring the festival atmosphere alive year-round with quality programming and grassroots, community outreach.
Click below to review our 2025 Annual Report
Support Comes From
