October 18 – 27

2024 SchedulePDF Program Guide

“The Crandell Theatre in Chatham, N.Y., is the palatial setting for a thriving film festival.”
The Wall Street Journal

Two Decades of Award-Winning Films

FilmColumbia, Columbia County’s premier annual cultural event, screens the very best upcoming American and international films for ten days in late October. Launched in 1999 as the Crandell Theatre’s “little local festival that could,” FilmColumbia is now an acclaimed, nationally recognized film event.

If a film screens at FilmColumbia, there’s more than a good chance that following its official release it will go on to be nominated for one of the industry’s top prizes. A look back at the festival’s award-winning programming year after year speaks for itself.

FilmColumbia’s special events are legendary. Among the most popular is the mystery “Saturday Sneak” preview film, which is only revealed to the audience moments before the screening. In recent years, the festival has also included special panels with filmmakers and industry leaders, a screenwriting workshop where participants can hear their work read by professional actors, and a children’s international festival of short films that is free to the community.

The festival is programmed every year by Peter Biskind and Laurence Kardish. Biskind is an author, film historian, contributing editor at Vanity Fair and Esquire, and past executive editor of Premiere magazine. His new book about the streaming revolution, Pandora’s Box: How Guts, Guile, and Greed Upended TV, will be published by HarperCollins in November 2023. Kardish is senior curator emeritus for film and media at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Calliope Nicholas, the long-time director of the festival, is Co-Director and Manager of Residency Programs at Millay Arts, an international artist residency in Austerlitz, N.Y.

FilmColumbia was recently recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.” Said Tim Molloy, MovieMaker‘s editor-in-chief, “Obviously a lot of New Yorkers are now discovering the beautiful small communities just a short drive from New York City, and we think they’ll be delighted to learn more about FilmColumbia, a fest that blends a gorgeous location, local color (both people and leaves) and Oscar-caliber films, lovingly programmed by a revered team with exquisite taste.”

Peter Biskind, FilmColumbia Co-Executive Director and Co-Artistic Director

Laurence Kardish, FilmColumbia Co-Executive Director and Co-Artistic Director

Calliope Nicholas, FilmColumbia Festival Director

 

Chronogram: FilmColumbia Is Back For Its 24th Season at the Crandell Theatre in Chatham

By Remy Commisso Known for his action-packed films and morally gray characters, Walton Goggins is a dynamic actor whose supporting roles have earned him Emmy nominations in “Fallout” and “Justified.” With his new movie, The Uninvited, Goggins takes a break from playing compelling anti-heroes as the lead in Nadia Conner’s dramedy. Goggins, who moved to Columbia County during the pandemic, is this year’s honoree at FilmColumbia. At the 24th FilmColumbia, from October 18-27, over 50 pre-release films will be shown at Chatham’s Crandell Theatre. The programming has a wide range of insightful international films as well as domestic. All We Imagine As Light is an Indian film directed by Payal Kapadia about two hospital nurses in Mumbai navigating their love life, one who has a distant husband and the other in a taboo interfaith relationship. Read the Full Article in CHRONOGRAM’s October issue online…

more…

Hudson Valley Magazine: 8 Fabulous Fall Day Trips to Take in the Hudson Valley

By Francesca Furey The best time to be in the Hudson Valley is now! And whether you’re a foodie looking for you next great meal, a family craving adventure, a fall foliage lover, or an art connoisseur—these eight day trips will create unforgettable autumn memories. Arts, Culture & History Northern Columbia County Don’t Miss: A theatrical or musical event at PS21: Center for Contemporary Performance in Chatham. Also, FilmColumbia is showing flicks, advance screenings, and filmmaker-led panels at the historic Crandell Theatre from October 18–27.   Read the article in HUDSON VALLEY MAGAZINE’s October issue online

more…