Vidiots hosted “That Awards Show” March 2, an evening party that included a raffle, a bingo night and photo opportunities on the Vidiots pink carpet, hosted by performer Anya Body.
Anya Body said she has performed at several Vidiots functions and has become familiar with working for the organization as a drag queen. According to Body, she spent much of the event interacting with guests, taking photos on the pink carpet and hosting a raffle and bingo game.
“This is my third time working with Vidiots,” Body said. “We hit it off so well. It’s such a connective community at Vidiots, and they make you feel like you’re part of it all.”
Vidiots is a nonprofit video store that has been open since 1985 and has been open at the Eagle Theatre since 2023.
According to Body, the award show night was different from other events Vidiots has hosted, because it did not involve a standard drag performance where they show a drag number and perform a song. The evening was instead an immersive community experience, where movie enthusiasts could get together and celebrate, Body said.
“Anytime I work anywhere, I want the experience to be something where I encourage connection,” Body said. “I think with any artist who’s a performer, when you’re a good enough performer, any space you occupy you’re going to be part of an experience that is greater than yourself.”
Rani Cheema was a guest at the “That Awards Show” party. Cheema said she was enthusiastic about the party and getting the opportunity to spend time with the Vidiots community.
“I really love Vidiots, and I really wanted to meet a lot of new people, and after only 20 minutes, I’m having an amazing time already,” Cheema said. “I recently moved to LA, and film just feels like it’s part of life here, and I want to experience that.”
Before attending the party at Vidiots, Cheema said she had not seen any of the movies that were part of the awards show night.
“There are a lot of movies that I’ve always wanted to see, and there are movies that you can’t get on any regular streaming service, but I’ve been able to see them here,” Cheema said.
At Vidiots, instead of simply showing audiences movies in the theater, as an organization, they make the viewer experience exciting, eventful, participatory and fun, according to Cheema. Watching the film awards show is particularly thrilling because of getting to watch the speeches, Cheema said.
“There is something about the speeches that I really, really love,” Cheema said. “I truly believe a lot of people are completely thrown off when they win, because of not believing in themselves, because they’re up against all these other people; to see that is very humanizing, I can take a step back and think, ‘Oh, I’m that same way, or I’ve felt that same way about something.'”
Going to Vidiots for community events and watching movies is a valuable part of celebrating small community organizations, according to Cheema.
“I like supporting nonprofits, and their popcorn is banging,” Cheema said.
Tony Lagenback, an attendee at the party, said he was excited about seeing which movie would win best picture in a community space like Vidiots.
“I’ve never been to one of these events; just being here is exciting,” Lagenback said. “I think ‘The Brutalist’ or ‘Dune: Part Two’ should get the Best Picture [Award].”
Lagenback said he is not from LA and came to Vidiots specifically to watch the awards show. He said he was excited to watch the show in LA because of the city’s historic connection to the film industry.
“I like their theater — it’s awesome. The video selection and the whole vibe of the place is great.” Lagenback said. “I’ve been into movies my whole life, but I like Vidiots because there is a nostalgic element, but there’s also an element of it that is present and very immediate.”
Lagenback said the party was exciting because the event allowed people from a wide range of places to come together and celebrate an evening that is important for LA and film.
“Supporting movies and keeping the community space to meet new people, this is important,” Lagenback said. “A few years ago I celebrated the awards show, but tonight I wanted to make it a little special by coming here.”
Contact Olivia Correia at ocorreia@oxy.edu
