Crandell Kid Flicks, which launched in January 2023, is a new family-friendly Saturday matinee series of contemporary classic children’s films (animated and live action) offered January through April on the fourth Saturday of each month at 1 pm. The series aims to provide the youngest moviegoers with fun, safe, exciting and positive opportunities to become engaged in the arts. Chatham’s beautiful, historic, single-screen movie house is the backdrop for an afternoon of educational fun that puts each film into special focus for these budding film lovers.

Crandell Kid Flicks was created for Chatham-area families with children ages 3-12 in mind. Each film is paired with guest presenters and fun, theme-centered activities. The series is curated by the Crandell’s brand new Parent Advisory Task Force and co-chaired by Mirissa Neff and Elan Bogarín, two Chatham-based filmmakers with young children.

The series launched on January 25 with a screening of Charlotte’s Web and a visit from some very special pigs! Click on any photo to launch the slideshow.

On February 25,  prior to a screening of Sing,  musical theater performers from the Columbia County Youth Theatre (CCYT) performed and then led the Crandell Kid Flicks audience in a spirited singalong to numbers from the film.

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The CKF program on March 25 welcomed Spring with a wonderful program featuring Bees and Baas co-owner Sarah Spohler, who talked about beekeeping and harvesting honey on the organic area sheep farm and aviary she owns with her sister. The film selection for the day, Bee Movie, provided lots of laughs for all. But that wasn’t the last bee to appear. On their way out, attendees got to take pictures with Spohler in her beekeeping suit and our fearless host, Mirissa Neff, in her fabulous homemade bee costume.

Click on any photo to launch the slideshow.

After School Filmmaking Project

Since 2000 the Crandell Theatre’s six-week After School Filmmaking Project has been conducted annually in three of the county’s seven school districts, including Chatham, Germantown, New Lebanon, Taconic Hills, and Hudson. On pause during the pandemic, the program and its curriculum are being evaluated for a renewed return in the coming year.

Farm Film Festival

The Crandell Theatre has collaborated with the Columbia Land Conservancy and the Chatham Agricultural Partnership to produce an annual Farm Film Festival since 2010.  Annually attracting an average of 235 people, the free afternoon program includes six to eight short films related to agriculture and agricultural life and a panel discussion. In lieu of charging admission, audience members are invited to make a food donation to the Chatham Silent Pantry.

For more information about Crandell Theatre Community Programs, email abrody@crandelltheatre.org.