Check out editor Jamie Larson’s article in Rural Intelligence about all the exciting changes at the Crandell. Read the full article here
Notes from TIFF 2025
posted on September 25, 2025
by Larry Kardish The Toronto International Film Festival just celebrated its 50th anniversary. It began a half century ago with typical municipal bravado as “The Festival of Festivals,” and indeed, it quickly became one. A behemoth with over 210 feature films, all of major interest, shown over ten packed days, TIFF 2025 was expansive, inclusive, and a true treasure chest of recent cinema. Films that premiered at other major festivals like Berlin, Cannes and Venice, were shown along with a significant number of world premieres. Many of those films were from the U.S., as Hollywood jumpstarts its Oscar campaigns in Toronto. Torontonians love their festival and attend it in droves, filling theaters as early as 8:30 am every morning and enduring long waits in rush lines to take the seats of no-shows. TIFF is located in a hideous but contained…
Welcome Back!
posted on September 16, 2025
Crandell Theatre Reopening Schedule October 15, 2025 11 am – 1 pm: Public Open House. Members of our community will be among the first to see the new Crandell, before screenings restart just 48 hours later for the opening of FilmColumbia25. October 17, 2025 FilmColumbia 2025 Opens. The Crandell will resume public film screenings on Friday, October 17, to coincide with the opening of the FilmColumbia festival. This year’s 25th anniversary festival will feature 40+ expertly curated films and talkbacks with filmmakers and stars. Actor Stephen Lang will be honored at the festival’s catered Kick-Off Party during opening weekend. His latest film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is set to release this December. Advance discounted tickets for members only will go on sale online and outside the theater, during Chatham OctoberFeast, on October 4. Join today to receive this premium member…
FilmColumbia Returns October 17 – 26
posted on September 8, 2025
25 Years of Exceptional Films Past FilmColumbia patrons know that for two weeks in October you’re in for a fall harvest like no other. This 25th anniversary year, we look forward to welcoming you back into a newly renovated, restored and refurbished Crandell Theatre. A few of the festival’s many exciting highlights include: Nuremberg, featuring powerhouse performances by Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, Michael Shannon and Richard E. Grant during the trial of the century Nouvelle Vague, Richard Linklater’s delightful tribute to Jean-Luc Godard that recreates the making of the film that launched the auteur’s singular style A Private Life, a sophisticated and spritely whodunit starring a French-speaking Jodie Foster as a renowned American psychoanalyst in Paris Sentimental Value, writer/director Joachim Trier’s follow-up to his hit The Worst Person in the World, once again starring actress Renate Reinsve in an intense family drama with…
A Tribute to Brian Edward Leach, 1981 – 2025
posted on July 25, 2025
It is with great sadness that we share the tragic news of former Executive Director Brian Edward Leach’s unexpected and untimely death. His sister, Diana Leach Stumpf, wrote movingly on Facebook about his passing on July 12. “He was at home with his rescue dog, Ace, by his side, who he loved more than anyone or anything in this life,” she wrote. Said Crandell President John Lillis, “I heard the news of Brian’s passing with disbelief. Brian was full of life, his love for theater and his love for the Crandell. In the short time he was with us in Columbia County, Brian established himself as a wonderful friend and neighbor. We are grateful for his contributions to the Crandell Theatre.” At the Crandell, Brian was the lively host of many first-time Crandell LIVE! events; he championed the Crandell’s “Have…