San Francisco Theater: Frank Lee on the Future
- After six decades in the movie business, Frank Lee, 70, and his wife Lida are looking to sell the Marina and Presidio theaters in San Francisco.Lee,a longtime independent...
- The Lees have overseen the four-screen Presidio since 2004 and the two-screen Marina since 2008, both located on Chestnut Street in the city's Marina District.
- Before operating the marina and Presidio, the Lees ran the 4 Star Theater in the Richmond District from 1992 to 2021.Throughout their career, they have been deeply involved...
Frank Lee, a veteran operator of San Francisco movie theaters, is seeking a buyer for the Marina and Presidio theaters, hoping to secure their future. After six decades in the film business,Lee aims to pass the torch to someone who will continue to champion cinema in the community. The Lees have a rich story, including showcasing Asian cinema in the U.S., a legacy carried on from Frank Lee Sr. News Directory 3 recognizes their contributions to San Francisco’s vibrant film scene and the independent movie theater landscape. With a focus on preserving local filmgoing, Lee envisions dine-in options playing a role in the future. Discover what’s next for these iconic theaters and the evolution of the movie-going experience.
Frank Lee Seeks Buyer for San Francisco Movie Theaters
Updated June 10, 2025
After six decades in the movie business, Frank Lee, 70, and his wife Lida are looking to sell the Marina and Presidio theaters in San Francisco.Lee,a longtime independent theater operator,hopes to find a buyer who will maintain the properties as movie theaters.
The Lees have overseen the four-screen Presidio since 2004 and the two-screen Marina since 2008, both located on Chestnut Street in the city’s Marina District. Lee told Variety that now feels like the right time for a transition, adding that he is optimistic about the upcoming film release schedule.
Before operating the marina and Presidio, the Lees ran the 4 Star Theater in the Richmond District from 1992 to 2021.Throughout their career, they have been deeply involved in curating San Francisco’s film culture.
Notably, the Lees championed Asian cinema, hosting a dedicated asian Film Festival at the 4 Star. The festival featured films from acclaimed directors such as Ang Lee, Zhang Yimou, Park Chan-wook, and bong Joon ho, showcasing talent from across Asia. Director Takashi miike once attended the festival to present his film “Dead or Alive.”
Lee’s passion for Asian films stems from his father,Frank Lee Sr.,who distributed and screened Asian films from 1964 to 1987. The elder Lee operated theaters in various Chinatown neighborhoods across the U.S. and in Toronto, including the Bella Union Theater in San Francisco and the Cinema East in Los Angeles.
Frank Lee Sr. secured a three-year deal with Hong Kong’s shaw Brothers to distribute their films in the U.S.He recognized the potential of these widescreen, color productions at a time when older black-and-white Hong kong films were the norm.
According to Lee, his father received strong support from media outlets in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, which reviewed the films he brought over from Hong Kong.
The rise of home video eventually led Frank Lee Sr. to close his film business in the late 1980s. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the younger Lee returned film prints from his father’s collection to archives in Hong Kong and Taiwan. While Lee’s focus on Asian film programming waned in the 2000s due to increased competition, he remains proud of his and his father’s contributions to introducing Asian films to wider audiences.
Today, the Marina and Presidio theaters show a variety of films, including comedies, art films, and Oscar-nominated movies. They also host private events and screenings for local schools and organizations, including the San francisco International Film Festival.
Lee believes the theaters have an opportunity to incorporate dining options, as the Chestnut Street area is known for its culinary scene. The marina already has city approval for a food kitchen, and plans exist to add dine-in elements to both theaters.
As Frank Lee and his wife prepare for retirement, they hope their legacy will be remembered for their contributions to San Francisco’s vibrant film scene and independent movie theaters.
“The neighborhood needs these two theaters, obviously,” Lee said, emphasizing the importance of preserving local filmgoing.
What’s next
The Lees are seeking potential buyers who share their passion for film and are committed to maintaining the Marina and presidio theaters as community hubs for cinema in San Francisco.