Rehoboth Beach Film Society debuts new venue
In the past, if the Rehoboth Beach Film Society had a successful showing and wanted to provide an encore presentation, many times the nonprofit had its hands tied.
Booking a venue requires doing so with plenty of time in advance. Competition could swoop in and reserve the space before the film society knew there was more demand than supply.
But now, after several years of searching for just the right spot, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society has a new, permanent home that will allow the organization to add showings on shorter notice, among other things.
"Already we’ve seen the benefits of having that ability to be flexible," said film society executive director Sue Early, who has been with the organization since 2001.
Finishing touches were being put on the space Thursday, March 17, the day the film society was starting its Rehoboth Beach Jewish Film Festival, in conjunction with the Seaside Jewish Community. Because some screenings were sold out, the film society was quickly able to add additional showings during the duration of the festival, which is showing seven films through March 21.
Located in Dartmouth Plaza, behind the Wawa on southbound Route 1 near Lewes, the Cinema Art Theater will be a spot for year-round programming from the film society, which was started in 1998.
The venue will also serve as a viewing spot for the organization's annual Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival. The festival, which started in 1998, is set this year for Nov. 4-12.
It was tough to find something that met the nonprofit's criteria for the building: high ceilings, adequate parking, accessible and affordable. But the location that was chosen fits the bill, Early said.
"It hasn’t set in yet because we’re so busy," she said. "But I know it’s going to be wonderful."
Headlining the space is a 108-seat theater, featuring 10 rows of tiered seating. The facility also features a screening room and a concessions area.
Most of the spaces where year-round programming had been provided in the past have been flat, Early said, meaning audience members in the back of the venue may have had trouble reading subtitles on the bottom of the screen in international films.
The new theater and its stadium seating solves that issue and gives audience members more comfort, Early said. In the past, audience members were likely sitting in stackable plastic chairs or folding chairs.
"There's not a bad seat in the house," she said. "When you’ve been sitting in an uncomfortable chair for two hours, you want out. I think that’s going to change."
The film society will present recordings from National Theatre Live three times a week and plans to show independent films and several series. In the summer, plans are in the works to start camps for children. For more information, visit RehobothFilm.com or call 302-645-9095.
The nonprofit is about $100,000 shy of raising enough funds for the $700,000 project. Bids came in higher than estimates to renovate the space, Early said. Donations have been received from more than 200 film society members, 38 community members and several local businesses and nonprofits.
All donations are tax deductible. They can be made at rehobothfilm.com or by mailing a check to the film society office, located at 107 Truitt Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE, 19971.
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