Keeping Art in the arthouse
Arthouse Houston
A community-based nonprofit enriching and preserving Houston’s artistic film culture and arthouse spaces.
WES ANDERSON HOMECOMING SOIRÉE
Benefiting a New Arts & Film Center at Garden Oaks Theater
Join Arthouse Houston for this rare in-person evening with Wes Anderson, celebrating his remarkable 30-year filmmaking career. Wes is returning to Houston, where his life and journey in film began, for this one-night-only event benefiting the preservation of the Historic Garden Oaks Theater and the founding of a new Arts & Film Center.
The evening will include a "Founders Experience", followed by a reception for all with charcuterie and wine by City Kitchen and Dionysus Imports, live music by the Kelly Doyle Trio, and a silent auction. The film program begins with a personal introduction by Wes Anderson and screening of five of his short films, selected by Wes. Starting with the short film that launched his career, Bottle Rocket, which was later adapted into his first feature film 30 years ago.
Followed by: Castello Cavalcanti, Hotel Chevalier, The Swan, and The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner.
Donors at the "Founders Experience" level will be treated to a meet-and-greet with Anderson and friends before the show, including a celebratory toast and signed show poster. Tickets are very limited at this donor level.
Your ticket to this program is a donation and part of Arthouse Houston's Big Picture Series. Your donation will directly help the effort to preserve one of our few remaining historic cinemas and found a new cultural hub where cinema, live performance, production, and education converge. The restored Garden Oaks can help incubate future generations of homegrown filmmakers like Wes Anderson!
Top-Tier Founder Donors at $100K-$5MM will have naming rights within the new Arts & Film Center & four (4) complimentary Founders Experience tickets to this event.
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Thank you to Big Picture Series season sponsor Gwen Richard. As well as event sponsors: CityKitchen, Dionysus Wines, Criterion Collection, Houston Film Commission, Texas Commission on the Arts, Independent Media Arts Foundation, and the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs.
Celebrating 30 Years of Fantastical Filmmaking
Your donation will directly help the effort to preserve one of our few remaining historic cinemas and found a new cultural hub where cinema, live performance, production and education converge.
When: Friday, July 17, 2026
6:00 PM: Q&A with Wes Anderson for Founders Experience donors
7:00 PM: Doors Open, Reception & Live Music
7:30 PM: Welcome, Auction, and Intro by Wes Anderson, followed by a screening of selected shorts
Where: Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
2026 visiting members program by Art House Convergence
Your Arthouse Houston Cinephile Membership now offers even more benefits!
Thanks to the Art House Convergence Visiting Members Program (VMP), your Arthouse Houston Cinephile Membership now allows you to purchase tickets at the member discount at participating independent cinemas, like the historic Texas Theatre in Dallas, and many more across the country!
How does it work?
Look for the VMP window sticker at the box office the next time you visit an indie exhibitor.
When you see it, show proof of your current Arthouse Houston Cinephile Membership to receive ticket discounts. It’s that easy! You can also find a full list of participating cinemas by state here.
Some of the perks you can claim:
- Member-priced tickets at participating art houses nationwide
- Access to other basic-level membership perks (like discounted concessions or parking) at select locations
Find additional program information, as well as full terms and conditions here.
2026 VMD Program
Active Arthouse Houston Cinephile Members can enjoy ticket discounts at more than 70 participating cinemas across 30 states—including Washington D.C.!
One of the things in this world you genuinely and definitely cannot construct is an old building. Add to that: the rarity of an actual existing and operational movie palace. This one has a history literally like no other left in Houston.
Wes Anderson
Sponsors & Community Partners
THE WINDOW IS CLOSING… CAN YOU BE A SAVIOR?
Without Immediate Support From Saviors With Major Pledges The Historic Cinema Will Be Demolished.
Make a tax deductible pledge or donation today towards our campaign to save it and open a new Arts & Film Center for Houston.