Because our community’s safety is our highest priority and in recognition of growing concerns about the spread of COVID variants and breakthrough infections, FilmColumbia 2021 will need to be different. To bring you this year’s festival, the Crandell Theatre board of directors has adopted the following health protocol for the duration of the festival, October 22 through 31, 2021: Seating capacity reduced by 50 percent to provide for buffered seating. Tickets for each film (including the Sneak Peek) sold online with seats selected at the time of purchase. Remaining tickets for individual films available at the box office 30 minutes prior to screening. All-Film Passes not available. To enter the theater viewers need to show proof of full vaccination, along with a valid I.D. Crandell staff and volunteers required to be vaccinated. Masks required to be worn at all times…
FilmColumbia Returns October 22-31 With Nearly 40 Films
FILMCOLUMBIA RETURNS, OCTOBER 22-31, WITH NEARLY 40 FILMS, INCLUDING NEW RELEASES FROM ACCLAIMED DIRECTORS PEDRO ALMODOVAR, WES ANDERSON AND JAMES LAPINE, AND LAUDED PERFORMANCES FROM TIMOTHY CHALAMET, OLIVIA COLMAN, PENELOPE CRUZ, BENICIO DEL TORO, COLIN FIRTH, GLENDA JACKSON, FRANCES McDORMAND, BILL MURRAY, JOSH O’CONNOR, JOAQUIN PHOENIX, AMY SCHUMER, TILDA SWINTON AND JEFFREY WRIGHT, AMONG MANY OTHERS SCHEDULE INCLUDES WINNERS OF MAJOR AWARDS AT THE CANNES, BERLIN AND SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVALS, AND MANY THAT SCREENED AT NEW YORK, TORONTO, TRIBECA, TELLURIDE AND SOUTH X SOUTHWEST HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS WILL BE ENFORCED FOR ALL ATTENDEES AND FESTIVAL STAFF THIS YEAR TICKETS ON SALE OCTOBER 4 FOR CRANDELL THEATRE MEMBERS AND OCTOBER 16 FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC (Chatham, NY — September 27, 2021)—FilmColumbia, Columbia County’s premier annual cultural event, will return, October 22-31, after last year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.…
New Crandell Schedule Reflects Changes In Movie Industry And Film Viewing
The Crandell Theatre reopens July 1-4, 2021, with a Thursday through Friday schedule reflecting changes in the movie industry and viewing habits exacerbated by the 15-month closing caused by the corona virus. Thursday’s festive opening of the Crandell begins at 6:30 p.m. with music and dance presented outside the theater prior to the screening at 7:30 p.m. A complete schedule of screenings for the weekend can be found on the Crandell website, crandelltheatre.org, where tickets may be purchased on line and at the box office. Movie admission is $9 nonmembers, $8 members, and $7 for children 12 and under. According to Peter Biskind, member of the Crandell Board of Directors and Vice President of Programming, “Before the pandemic studios required the Crandell to run major films up to four weeks. The first week we would do well but by the…
Crandell Theatre’s Summer of Great Cinema: Reopening Weekend July 1-4
The Crandell Theatre reopens July 1-4, 2021, with four feature-length movies shown from Thursday through Sunday. Thursday’s festive opening begins at 6:30 p.m. with music and dance presented outside the theater prior to the screening at 7:30 p.m. A complete schedule of screenings for the weekend can be found on the Crandell website, crandelltheatre.org, where tickets may be purchased online and at the box office. Movie admission is $8 members, $9 nonmembers, and $7 for children 12 and under. Film screenings and their times are as follows: Thursday (July 1), 7:30 p.m., The Truffle Hunters; Friday (July 2), 4:00 p.m., Dream Horse; 7:30 p.m., Jaws; Saturday (July 3), 1:00 p.m., The Truffle Hunters, 4:00 p.m., Dream Horse, and 7:30 p.m. The Climb; Sunday (July 4), 1:00 p.m., Sunflowers, and 4:00 p.m. The Climb. After the screening of The Climb on…
Crandell Theatre Announces New Board of Directors Members, Dr. Carlee Rader Drummer, Ph.D., Joanne Dunne Murphy, Nick Van Alstine
The Crandell Theatre’s Board of Directors formally welcomed Dr. Carlee Rader Drummer, Ph.D., Joanne Dunne Murphy, and Nick Van Alstine to its ranks. “Each of our new members bring unique knowledge and expertise to our efforts,” said Lydia Kukoff, President of the Board of Directors. “With all of the projects upcoming for the Crandell, we will certainly benefit from their energy and perspectives.” Dr. Carlee Drummer assumed her post as Columbia-Greene Community College President on July 1, 2019, following a five-year tenure as President of Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson and Willimantic, Connecticut. Before relocating to Connecticut, Dr. Drummer lived in Chicago where she served as the Executive Director of College Advancement and Executive Director of the Educational Foundation at Oakton Community College for 13 years. Prior to that, she was a Vice President at Lipman Hearne, a consulting firm…
Masks & Vaccinations Required
Health & Safety Guidelines Posted on June 2, 2021; Updated July 30, 2021; Updated November 1, 2021 Update on Crandell Theatre Covid Precautions Because our community’s safety is our highest priority and in recognition of concerns about the spread of COVID variants and breakthrough infections, the Crandell Theatre board of directors has adopted the following health protocol effective November 4, 2021. To enter the theater filmgoers need to show proof of full vaccination along with a valid I.D. Masks are required indoors by filmgoers and staff except when seated. Seating capacity reduced by 50 percent Ticket purchase includes seat selection which automatically buffers each patron or party on all sides. Tickets for sale online or in-person at the box office 20 minutes prior to film screening Children under 12 not vaccinated may attend accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. Children must…
Crandell Theatre to Reopen Thursday, July 1
Crandell Theatre, the nearly 100-year-old movie house in Chatham, New York, reopens July 1-4, 2021, with a new program format and thorough cleaning following the 15-month closing caused by the Covid-19 virus. Each week eight screenings of four curated commercial and independent films are shown from Thursday through Sunday. The sale of concessions is delayed until the theatre is able to accommodate health requirements. Tickets are sold on line at the Crandell website, crandelltheatre.org, and at the box office. Admission is $8 members, $9 nonmembers, and $7 for children 12 and under. A festive reopening is planned for the first weekend. On Saturday evening and Sunday, July 3-4, the featured film is The Climb, produced by Noah Lang, who has family ties to Columbia County. Directed by Michael Angelo Covino, the film was recognized at the Cannes Film Festival in…
Making History – Marking the 50th Anniversary of the 1971 May Day Protests as Recorded by Videofreex, “Mayday 1971 Raw”
The Crandell Theatre hosted a virtual community event, “Making History – Marking the 50th Anniversary of the 1971 May Day Protests as Recorded by Videofreex, ‘Mayday 1971 Raw’” on Saturday, May 1. Over 40 participants enjoyed the lively and engaging panel discussion via Zoom. The event marked the 50th anniversary of the 1971 May Day peace protests that made history, with record-setting civil disobedience arrests and leading to the end of the Vietnam War. The event featured access to a 66-minute, 21st century edit of the original video compilation by pioneering collective Videofreex, from the historic 1971 May Day protest. Participants were invited to watch in advance of the event, and then tune in to the fascinating panel discussion that followed. The discussion focused on Mayday 1971 Raw, local community members who were present in Washington D.C. that day, and the…
Making History – Marking the 50th Anniversary of the 1971 May Day Protests as Recorded by Videofreex, “Mayday 1971 Raw”
Crandell Theatre proudly presents Mayday 1971 Raw, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1971 May Day peace protests that made history, with record-setting civil disobedience arrests and leading to the end of the Vietnam War. The protestors’ slogan: “If the government won’t stop the war, we’ll stop the government.” The early video documentary was recorded by Mayday Video, an ad hoc group of pioneer video makers, including Videofreex, who lived and had a pirate TV station in the Catskills during the 1970s. This virtual community event features access to a 66-minute, 21st century edit of the original video compilation from the historic 1971 May Day protest. Participants are invited to view the film in advance of the event, and tune in to a panel discussion on May 1st at 5 p.m. To gain access to the film, please register for the event…
Farm Film Festival 13: March 15 – March 21, 2021
Crandell Theatre proudly presents the thirteenth annual Farm Film Festival. This year’s festival, presented in collaboration with the Chatham Agricultural Partnership and the Columbia Land Conservancy, will be held virtually via Zoom. Farm Film Festival XIII is presented with generous support from MetzWood Insurance and the Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation. As in the past, the program is a mix of films made by professional and amateur filmmakers who respond to the call for entries; the films are selected by a panel representing the collaborating organizations. The festival showcases films that focus on farms, farming, and farming issues from local and national filmmakers. Our theme this year is “Sustainability Around the Globe.” All nine short films will be available for viewing from March 15th-21st on our Youtube channel. Virtual screening is open to the public at no charge, but…
Crandell Theatre Announces $3 Million Fundraising Plan for Renovation and Endowment
The Crandell Theatre board of directors in Chatham, New York, announced today that it has raised $2 million of its $3 million Capital Campaign to renovate the theater and establish an endowment to sustain the theater well into the future. One million dollars has been raised towards the renovation cost of $2 million, and an initial pledge of $1 million has been received for the endowment. The theater renovation will include upgrading the audio system, expansion of the lobby and concession area, additional modernized restrooms, replacement of seats, and creation of functional staff workspace and storage. The Crandell is currently closed because of the pandemic. The board anticipates reopening the Crandell in summer 2021 (based upon state health guidelines and financial feasibility) and producing the FilmColumbia Festival in the fall. Depending upon the progress of the fundraising campaign, construction is…