KICK-OFF MEMBER DAY: May 6, 10 am – 4 pm The Crandell Theatre invites area residents and families to participate in a day of free film-themed activities on Saturday, May 6, from 10 am to 4 pm at the historic theater in Chatham, New York. The program includes family short films, tours of the theater, photo opportunities with film celebrity cutouts, and marquee cookies created for the occasion by Pooky Amsterdam of PookyStudio. Admission to the regularly scheduled 1 pm screening of The Eagle Huntress, an award-winning documentary about the first female eagle hunter in twelve generations of a nomadic Mongolian family, is free for new and current members. Those who join the Crandell or renew their memberships on May 6 or anytime during May receive free admission to all films during the month. According to Annie Brody, Crandell…
Award-Winning Writer, Producer, Director James Schamus Elected to Crandell Theatre Board
James Schamus was elected to a three-year term on the Crandell Theatre board at its January annual meeting. Schamus, who has had a home in Columbia County for 25 years, is a longtime supporter of the Crandell, and was honored at the 2018 FilmColumbia festival. By providing FilmColumbia with advance screenings of films he produced, such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Pianist, and Brokeback Mountain, Schamus helped anchor the young festival with quality cinema. “By adding his invaluable perspective to our film programming efforts, James Schamus will help us navigate these changing and challenging times in the film industry,” said Crandell Board President Lydia Kukoff. “He has shown himself to be fully engaged in the issues of maintaining and sustaining the Crandell as a vital presence in the Chatham community.” “People-supported theaters such as the Crandell are not just…
Celebrate Earth Day Weekend at the Crandell
April 22 + 23
On April 22 and 23 the Crandell Theatre will join the community in celebrating Earth Day with two special screenings that explore our critical relationship with the environment and the steps we can all take to ensure our planet’s future. Crandell Kid Flicks: The Lorax The inaugural season of Crandell Kid Flicks, the theater’s family-friendly film and activity series, concludes on Saturday, April 22, at 1 pm with a screening of the Dr. Seuss classic The Lorax. An eye-popping, 3D computer-animated update of the beloved original book and 1972 cel-animated TV movie, the film features the voices of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Betty White. With an environmental message still as urgent as ever, the film follows Ted, a 12-year-old boy living in a world devoid of nature who searches for the one thing that will…
CRANDELL KID FLICKS: A New Saturday Matinee Film + Activity Series for Families
The Crandell Theatre is very pleased to announce the launch later this month of Crandell Kid Flicks, 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. This new series 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. Special Admission: $5 per ticket Crandell Kid Flicks is curated by the Crandell’s brand new Parent Advisory Task Force and co-chaired…
SPECIAL EVENT: Q+A with AVATAR’s Stephen Lang
December 29 at 10:15 pm
Join actor Stephen Lang, who originated the iconic role of Colonel Quaritch, for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the making of Avatar: The Way of Water following a screening of the film. (Chatham, NY—December 22, 2022) —The Crandell Theatre is delighted to welcome actor Stephen Lang, best known for playing Colonel Miles Quaritch in James Cameron’s Avatar, on stage for a special Q+A following the December 29, 7 pm screening of the newly released sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water. In this rare, behind-the-scenes look at the 3D blockbuster, Lang and film historian Peter Biskind will discuss his recurring role in the Avatar universe and how he and his fellow actors prepared for and shot Cameron’s latest installment. Lang will also be signing a limited number of Avatar: The Way of Water theatrical posters for sale. Avatar: The Way of…
The Chatham Public Library and the Crandell Theatre Present Film Career Panel for Teens and Young Adults on Saturday, November 5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Chatham, NY—November 2, 2022)—Have you ever dreamed of writing and directing your own film? What most may not realize is just how many other critical roles beyond writing, directing and acting are necessary to bring a commercial, television series or film to life. This Saturday, November 5, at 10:30 am, area teens and young adults can hear directly from film and TV professionals who have chosen very different routes to success during “Career GPS: Pathways in Film,” a free program held at the Crandell Theatre. The event is the first of the Chatham Public Library’s monthly Career GPS Series designed to introduce teens to the wide variety of potential jobs that exist within every field and profession. Career GPS is organized and facilitated by Wally Rubin, in collaboration with the Chatham Public Library and the Chatham High…
FilmColumbia Closing Weekend: Big Topics, Big Stars and One Big Surprise
(Chatham, NY—October 27, 2022) FilmColumbia, the county’s premier cultural event held annually at the historic Crandell Theatre, will screen its final set of highly curated festival films during its closing weekend, October 28 – 30. The films, screening from noon to night, tackle important topical subjects and include the unveiling of a very special screening. The storied “Sneak Preview” on Saturday night, October 29, has long been the festival’s headline event. Often a sell out, this advance screening of a major prestige film headed for eventual Oscar contention is also among the festival’s most exciting. The film’s title, unknown at the time of ticket purchase, is only revealed once attendees are in their seats, just minutes before the lights dim. Like many of the films that opened the festival, the closing weekend features several that take on some of the…
FilmColumbia Returns to the Crandell Theatre October 21 – 30
(Chatham, NY—September 22, 2022)—FilmColumbia, now in its 22nd year and Columbia County’s premier annual cultural event, will once again light up the screen with the very best–and the latest–national and international films. Screening some 45 films from October 21 – 30, FilmColumbia 2022 will feature festival-favorite releases from acclaimed directors Laura Poitras, Darren Aronofsky, Luca Guadagnino, James Gray, and Sarah Polley, and lauded performances from Anne Hathaway, Timothée Chalamet, Tilda Swinton, Anthony Hopkins, Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Sigourney Weaver, Jessie Buckley, and Frances McDormand, among many others. Urgent, timely and dazzling new films screening at this year’s festival include Call Jane, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Bones and All, The Whale, The Son, and Women Talking. Each film stirred audiences and critics during their recent festival premieres at Sundance and in Venice, Cannes, Toronto, Tribeca and Telluride. For the…
FilmColumbia Returns October 21 – 30 with Stellar Lineup and Free Children’s International Festival of Short Films
(Chatham, NY—September 29, 2022)—FilmColumbia, Columbia County’s premier annual cultural event, is gearing up to screen the very best–and the latest–national and international films from October 21 – 30. FilmColumbia’s packed program of 2022 films includes the recently added Sr., director Chris Smith and Robert Downey Jr. ‘s documentary about his indie director father and namesake. Premiering at Telluride and in New York, it is a moving memorial about the bond between parent and child, addiction, Hollywood, and mortality. “There are so many marvelous aspects to this year’s festival,” says Laurence Kardish, the festival’s co-artistic and co-executive director with Peter Biskind. “The number of extraordinary films by women, the number of award winners, and the broad range of programs from the most intimate of dramas to the most spectacular of blockbusters make this a festival of festivals.” FilmColumbia is programmed by…
The Stars Align for FilmColumbia 2022
(Chatham, NY—October 6, 2022)—FilmColumbia, Columbia County’s premier annual cultural event that runs from October 21 – 30, will once again screen an extraordinary variety of new films with some of the most buzz-worthy performances lauded at International film festivals here and abroad. Sarah Polley’s Women Talking features a density of talent rarely found in most films. Played by Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Rooney Mara, Frances McDormand, Judith Ivey and several newcomers, the women in a patriarchal Mennonite community are abused by their husbands and relatives and gaslit to believe they are the victims of ghosts. Forbidden from learning to read and write, they come together in solidarity as they discuss their lives and fates. The film created a sensation when it premiered at Telluride in early September. When Whale premiered at The Venice International Film Festival around the same time,…
Health & Safety
At the Crandell we take the health of our community members and staff very seriously. With our 534 seat auditorium and balcony, there is ample space to spread out. We have also upgraded our HVAC system with the highest MERV or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value it can use. MERVs report a filter’s ability to capture larger particles between 0.3 and 10 microns (µm). The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at trapping specific types of particles. Masks are optional but encouraged for all patrons, including in the lobby and theatre spaces. We will continue to monitor the situation in Columbia County closely and make any adjustments accordingly. Your safety is our highest priority. Please do your part as well! We ask that guests refrain from entering the Crandell if they are experiencing any COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms.