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Rehoboth film society makes headway on $100,000 challenge

Funds needed to improve second Art House theater
September 25, 2017

Story Location:
Lewes, DE 19958
United States

A couple months into a fundraising campaign to match a $100,000 challenge grant that would be used to build a new theater, officials say things are going well.

The film society has raised about $15,000, said Sue Early, Rehoboth Beach Film Society executive director.

The Rehoboth Beach Film Society announced the challenge to build the new theater in June. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Arenas each pledged $25,000, while John Newton and Mowry Spence pledged $50,000 if the film society could raise $100,000.

Opened in March 2016, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s Cinema Art House boasts a large theater that sits more than 100 people and a smaller room used for less popular movies and other events.

The challenge would raise enough money to fit-out the smaller room with a larger screen and 35 to 40 permanent seats.

Husband and wife team Gary and Betty Grunder are the co-chairs of the campaign.

Betty said she and Gary decided to participate in the fundraising effort because it’s a great opportunity.

“There’s a lot of potential for this small room,” said Gary. He said the important improvement will be a film projector that can play digital films.

The new theater should increase the variety of movies shown by the art house. Early said some films, by contract, must be played a certain number of days. With just one theater, that’s an issue, she said.

Early said there was a bit of a learning curve associated with opening the art house. The Cape Region is demographically similar, which means movies pushing the comfort zones of moviegoers don’t always work.

“We’re not a city with huge diversity and sometimes we don’t always pick the right one,” she said, adding that people are still coming out and supporting the group. “We’ve got over 1,000 new members.”

Early said the new theater will improve the experience of customers who come to the society’s themed festivals throughout the year.

Tina Samson, vice president of the film society’s board of directors, said she’s got a house full of visitors the week of the society’s annual independent film festival in October.

A well-crafted film is like reading a great book, said Samson. It makes art out of life and can make someone a better person, she said.

In addition to the new theater, the film society is also moving its satellite dishes – used for livestreaming performances – from Cape Henlopen High School to the art house. That allows us to have simulcast showings and delayed showings, said Early.

For more information on the film society, upcoming films and festivals, go to rehobothfilm.com or call 302-645-9095.

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