(Sacramento, CA) — On Monday, March 16th, Assemblymember Jessica Caloza (D-Los Angeles), honored Maggie Mackay, Executive Director of the Vidiots Foundation as Assembly District 52’s Woman of the Year.
“Maggie Mackay represents the creativity, vision, and leadership that strengthen our community. Through her work in the film and entertainment industry and as the Executive Director of Vidiots, she has helped bring new life to the historic Eagle Rock Theater—creating a vibrant space where art, culture, and our community come together,” said Assemblymember Jessica Caloza. “As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I’m proud to recognize Maggie Mackay as AD52’s Woman of the Year. Her dedication to the arts and commitment to uplifting our local creative community is an inspiration to us all. Congratulations, Maggie, and thank you for helping make Northeast L.A. a place where creativity and community thrive!”
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we must recognize that women are thriving and making history in every space – from the arts to the courts and from labs to the film and entertainment industry. Women everywhere are innovating, inspiring, and shaping a world where opportunity and success knows no bounds.
"I am honored to be recognized as Assembly District 52’s Woman of the Year. Thank you, Assemblymember Caloza, for this meaningful recognition and for being such an incredible leader for Northeast LA. Any professional growth or success I’ve experienced is unequivocally thanks to the support and investment of other women, so it’s especially meaningful that my most fulfilling role has been stewarding a legacy, female-founded organization: Vidiots,” stated Maggie Mackay, Executive Director of the Vidiots Foundation
Maggie’s leadership at Vidiots continues to make Northeast Los Angeles a hub for creativity, culture, and community. Visit the historic Eagle Rock Theater at 4884 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041. More information on the foundation can be found at https://vidiotsfoundation.org/.
About Maggie Mackay
Maggie Mackay, Vidiots Executive Director, developed her interest in film as a child at her local NYC video store, Rare Bird Video, and independent movie theaters including Film Forum and The Quad.
For thirteen years she served as Senior Programmer of the Los Angeles Film Festival and Director of Nominations for the Independent Spirit Awards. She has held positions at Sundance Institute, AFI Fest, and Aspen Film, among other arts organizations, advocating for filmmakers and connecting audiences to cinema. Mackay returned to her video store roots when she joined Vidiots in 2016 as its first Executive Director.
Over the course of seven years and through the pandemic, Mackay envisioned and helmed the unlikely but miraculous relaunch of Vidiots, reviving not only the iconic video store, but also the Eagle Theatre, an almost 100-year-old, beloved community cinema in Northeast Los Angeles. Mackay holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Delaware, and a Masters Degree in Literature and Film Studies from Claremont University.
Mackay lives in Northeast Los Angeles with her husband Dan Wilcox, their two children, and two ill behaved but adorable hounds.
About Vidiots
A one of-a-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and everyone curious about cinema, Vidiots is dedicated to inspiring human interaction around film through preserving, growing, and providing access to our diverse DVD, BluRay, and rare VHS collection, showcasing the work of emerging, master, and underrepresented artists, and producing unique and affordable film events and vital education programs.
Vidiots Foundation has a longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access going back to our founding in 1985. We profoundly value and strive to reflect all the communities we serve, in one of the most diverse counties in the United States. Representation, inclusivity, and equity have been at the forefront of our work for 37 years. Our Founders, Cathy Tauber and Patty Polinger opened Vidiots in order to tap the deep well of artistry from all over the world, and showcase the widest array of artists and points of view from all backgrounds in an affordable and equitable way. This passion remains our guiding light in a fierce commitment to building an equitable, inclusive, anti-racist, anti-misogynist film culture open and accessible to all.
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Assemblymember Jessica Caloza proudly represents the 52nd Assembly District, which includes the Los Angeles County communities of Angelino Heights, Atwater Village, City Terrace, Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, East Hollywood, East Los Angeles, Echo Park, El Sereno, Elysian Heights, Elysian Valley, Glassell Park, Garvanza, Highland Park, Hillside Village, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, Monterey Hills, Mount Washington, Silver Lake, South Glendale, University Hills, and Vista Hermosa.
