FilmColumbia Festival

FilmColumbia, Columbia County's premier annual cultural event, screens the very best upcoming American and international films for ten days in late October. Launched in 1999 as the Crandell Theatre's "little local festival that could," FilmColumbia is now an acclaimed, nationally recognized film event.

FilmColumbia was recently recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World." Said Tim Molloy, MovieMaker's editor-in-chief, "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-caliber films, lovingly programmed by a revered team with exquisite taste."

Schedule of Events:

Reinas
Short: After Dinner
12:00pm
116 min

In 1992, political turmoil roiled Peru. In Lima, a single mother raising two teenage daughters prepares to emigrate to the U.S., where she has a job waiting for her. She cannot, however, take her girls without permission from their feckless father who, as is usual, is MIA. Reinas — moving, suspenseful and sharp — won major awards at both the Sundance and Berlin film festivals this year.

Bob Trevino Likes It
Short: Homesick For You Even in Heaven
2:30pm
115 mins

This is a feel-good film that actually makes you feel good, a tearjerker that actually jerks tears! A rarity, to say the least. Europhia's breakout star Barbie Ferreira plays a caretaker with zero self-esteem, a result of years of abuse from her selfish, piggy father, Bob Trevino, who disposes of the family dog. At last, along comes John Leguizamo, playing another Bob Trevino, who gives her the love and respect she deserves. Needy daughter finds needy father surrogate. Sounds soupy, but amazingly, the result of great performances, it works.

Christmas Eve in Miller's Point
5:15pm
106 mins

With two indie features under his belt, Tyler Taormina became known for his unsettling portraits of small-town America, but his third is a family comedy, a bittersweet look at the celebration of Christmas by four generations of the Bolsano family gathered in grandma's home in Miller's Point, Long Island. As the Bolsanos await Santa's arrival, Taormina treats the family as a living being, kinetic and mobile, nourishing itself with seasonal cheer.

Sidonie au Japon
Short: Finding Shaker
7:30pm
102 min

In her 125th film appearance, the brilliant Isabelle Huppert plays Sidonie Perceval, a famous writer and recent widow who travels to Japan to promote a new translation of her debut novel. She is accompanied on the tour by her handsome Japanese publisher and, on occasion, the ghost of her late husband. The film, like a haiku, is graceful, wistful and hauntingly romantic.

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