About Us

I'll never forget watching a movie with my mom at the De Anza Drive-In during a July monsoon. We ended up watching the lightning show more than the film, and it was an absolute blast. That feeling ”” the shared joy, the magic of the big screen, the unforgettable memory ”” is the heart of everything I do.

My name is Chris Kazanes, and I'm a Tucson native with a lifelong passion for movies and community. After serving our country as a U.S. Army paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne and spending 24 years on the road as a truck driver, I invested everything into bringing cinematic magic back to Arizona.

I founded Desert Air Cinema in 2016, and after that I was the owner and operator of Cactus Drive-In Later named Cactus Carpool Cinema the drive-in theater I opened during the COVID-19 pandemic at Medella Vina Ranch and later to our own location on Wilmot and Valencia when people needed a safe way to gather and find joy together. That drive-in became a symbol of resilience for our community at a time when it needed it most.

My wife and I are the proud parents of five wonderful children, who are now grown and serving in the Navy and Air Force. For me, family and shared experiences are everything ”” which is exactly why I do what I do.

Over 1,500 events later ”” from intimate backyard parties to large community drive-ins ”” Desert Air Cinema remains Tucson's most trusted outdoor cinema company. We know how to make your event truly unforgettable.

We look forward to helping you make memories that last a lifetime.

From My Family to Yours,

Chris Kazanes