FilmColumbia named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World

posted on August 10, 2020

Chatham, NY Aug. 10, 2020 In a very strange year for film festivals, and everyone, FilmColumbia was named Monday to MovieMaker Magazine‘s annual list of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World. To compile the list, MovieMaker‘s panelists scanned the globe looking for events with forward-thinking programming, unique locations, and well-executed events. “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-calibre films, lovingly programmed by a revered team with exquisite taste,” said Tim Molloy, editor-in-chief of MovieMaker. “These festivals made many sacrifices for the greater good this year because of COVID-19, from postponements to pivots online. But the stellar reputations they’ve built for being…

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James Schamus and Jack Shear

2019 FilmColumbia Festival Kick-Off Party Photos

posted on October 22, 2019

James Schamus, long-time key player in the independent film world, was honored at the benefit opening the 20th anniversary of FilmColumbia at the home of Jack Shear on Saturday, October 19. The event, which raises funds to support year-round Crandell programs, was co-chaired by Tina Lang and Nicholas Haylett, both of Kinderhook.

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Links to News Stories about FilmColumbia

posted on October 18, 2019

To give an insider’s look at this year’s festival, we’ve collected some of the most interesting press from around the region. Check back frequently to read new stories and listen to the latest interviews. FilmColumbia: Exquisite ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ a complicated yet simple story of doomed lovers Berkshire Eagle, October 26, 2019 Excerpt:This is an exquisite film shown at this year’s FilmColumbia, perhaps one of the most beautiful films I have seen in a very long time. It is a complicated yet simple story of doomed lovers. Their slow motion seduction of each other develops into a short-lived rapturous romance. Read the entire article. FilmColumbia: Gorgeous, inspiring ‘Varda by Agnes’ highlights Varda’s joie de vivre Berkshire Eagle, October 24, 2019 Excerpt:Tucked into the FilmColumbia film festival is a gorgeous, inspiring film that I hope will be seen…

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Berkshire Eagle logo

Cannes in Chatham

posted on October 15, 2019

Excerpted from the October 11, 2019 edition of the Berkshire Eagle. FilmColumbia is a festival for early adopters. While Sundance and Cannes are destinations for top-notch movie premieres, FilmColumbia has often been one of the next landing spots for those films. “We are basically, in some ways — and I love this — a very modest, regional, local festival bringing to our neck of the woods films that might not otherwise play, and it doesn’t matter to us if they’ve been shown at many other film festivals,” said Laurence Kardish, co-artistic director of the Chatham, N.Y., festival. “In fact, that’s where we make our discoveries.” Read the entire article.

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FilmColumbia logo
FilmColumbia logo

FilmColumbia Marks Its 20th Anniversary, October 18-27

posted on September 26, 2019

FilmColumbia marks its 20th anniversary, October 18-27, with nearly 60 films, including new releases from acclaimed directors Noah Baumbach, Alex Gibney, Ken Loach, Terrence Malick and the late Agnes Varda, and lauded performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Laura Dern, Adam Driver, Isabelle Huppert, Scarlett Johansson, Clive Owen, Michael Shannon, Marisa Tomei and Alfre Woodard, among many others. Schedule includes winners of five major awards at Cannes, inluding the Palme d’Or, and major movies screened at the Toronto, New York, Venice, Berlin, Telluride and Sundance Film Festivals. FilmColumbia 2019 will honor filmmaker James Schamus on October 18-19 with film screenings, a Q&A and a special benefit reception. Benefit tickets on sale now; festival tickets on sale October 5 for Crandell Theatre members and October 12 for the general public. FilmColumbia, Columbia County’s premier annual cultural event, will mark its 20th anniversary, October…

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FilmColumbia logo
FilmColumbia logo

20th Film Columbia Festival Program Schedule

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FilmColumbia announces its 20th festival program schedule, October 18-27 with a lineup of more than 60 preeminent films, including this year’s winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Printed program guides will be available Friday, October 4 at the Crandell and in local shops and food establishments.

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James Schamus

James Schamus Honored at 20th FilmColumbia Festival

posted on September 9, 2019

James Schamus, longtime key player in the independent filmmaking world, will be honored at the 2019 FilmColumbia festival, at the Crandell Theatre in Chatham, New York. On October 18–19, four of Schamus’ films will be shown, followed by a Q&A conducted by Peter Biskind, film historian, cultural critic, and festival director. Saturday evening, October 19th, Crandell Theatre benefactor, Jack Shear, will host the annual FilmColumbia Kick-Off Party at his home in Spencertown, NY, where Schamus will be recognized at a benefit supporting the festival and year-round Crandell programs. Previous FilmColumbia honorees have included director-producer-screenwriter James Ivory and award-winning actors Brian Cox and Frank Langella. Ivory and Cox have homes in Columbia County. Co-Chairs of the Kick-Off Party are Kristina Lang and Nicholas Haylett, both of Kinderhook. Order tickets by credit card and/or make a contribution. FilmColumbia, celebrating its 20th anniversary,…

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Press Release – October 15, 2018

posted on October 15, 2018

Media Contact: Robyn Coe (818) 287-1237 robynpc@gmail.com FILMCOLUMBIA 2018, OCTOBER 20-28, GOES INTERACTIVE WITH PANEL DISCUSSIONS WITH INDUSTRY INSIDERS AND Q&A’S WITH FILMMAKERS TICKETS TO THE FESTIVAL, WITH MORE THAN 50 WORLD-CLASS FILMS OVER NINE DAYS, ARE ON SALE NOW FOR CRANDELL THEATRE MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC (Chatham, NY–October 15, 2018)—FilmColumbia 2018, Columbia County’s premier annual cultural event now in its 19th year in Chatham, NY, will offer not only more than 50 acclaimed films—many of which are sure to earn Academy Award nominations next year—but a lively array of panel discussions, Q&As and even a live, mid-festival trivia game for film fans to relish. FilmColumbia 2018 runs from October 20-28 and includes a special benefit tribute to acclaimed actor and Columbia County resident Brian Cox, October 19-20. For the complete lineup and ticket information, go to http://www.filmcolumbia.org/. Several…

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Press Release – October 8, 2018

posted on October 8, 2018

Media Contact: Robyn Coe (818) 287-1237 robynpc@gmail.com FILMCOLUMBIA 2018, OCTOBER 20-28, WILL OFFER AN ECLECTIC ARRAY OF FEATURES, SHORTS AND DOCUMENTARIES AT MORRIS MEMORIAL, MANY WITH AREA CONNECTIONS, AS WELL AS OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS FOR FILM LOVERS “[R]EVOLUTION IS UNCOMFORTABLE,” A LIVE, MULTIMEDIA PERFORMANCE FEATURING INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PRESSING SOCIAL ISSUES, WILL BE PRESENTED AT PS21 IN CHATHAM ON OCTOBER 21 FESTIVAL TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR CRANDELL THEATRE MEMBERS AND WILL GO ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC OCTOBER 13 (Chatham, NY–October 8, 2018)—FilmColumbia 2018, Columbia County’s premier annual cultural event marking its 19th year in Chatham, NY, will offer a wide-ranging collection of film screenings, panel discussions, a live multimedia performance—and even a trivia contest—all designed to complement the festival’s outstanding primary schedule of screenings. FilmColumbia 2018 runs from October 20-28, including a special benefit tribute to…

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Press Release – October 1, 2018

posted on October 1, 2018

Media Contact: Robyn Coe (818) 287-1237 robynpc@gmail.com FILMCOLUMBIA 2018 WILL KICK OFF WITH A MULTI-DAY TRIBUTE TO ACCLAIMED ACTOR BRIAN COX, INCLUDING SCREENINGS OF FOUR OF HIS FILMS, A Q&A SESSION WITH THE ACTOR AND A SPECIAL BENEFIT RECEPTION, OCTOBER 19-20 TICKETS TO THE FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 20-28, AND THE BENEFIT GO ON SALE OCTOBER 6 TO CRANDELL THEATRE MEMBERS AND OCTOBER 13 TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC (Chatham, NY–October 1, 2018)—FilmColumbia 2018, Columbia County’s premier annual cultural event, will kick off its 19th year in Chatham, NY, as it has for the past two years: with a special tribute to an acclaimed artist with ties to the county. This year’s honoree is distinguished actor Brian Cox. The event, benefitting the community programs of the Crandell Theatre, will take place October 19-20, and tickets are on sale now. Four of Cox’s films…

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