On Aug. 27, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society, in its weekly update and announcement of featured films for the coming week, reminded over half of its members of the need to renew their society membership for the coming year. This is an important message that we urge you not to ignore.  If you are not a current member we urge you to consider joining the film society.  The nonprofit society operates, among other things which need the support of current members, future members, and the community in general, the Cinema Art Theater. It is open and presenting top-quality independent films, newly released, in its two theaters with seating capacity limited to 25 percent of the seats. As the weekly update states, this does not generate enough income to support theater expenses, so memberships are now a main source of income. The leadership of the society has been diligent in obtaining federal and state support for salaries and other expenses, which has now run out. Support by the community continues to be urgently needed.

Since the theaters reopened in June, some 29 feature films and documentaries have been presented. We/I have seen six of them in the thoroughly sanitized theater and have felt comfortable while there with widely spaced seating. We have felt safe with all the precautions in place: sanitizing the theaters and common areas before and after each screening, mandatory wearing of masks, and social distancing of seats. We have enjoyed and been enlightened by these films among the many offered: “Made in Italy” starring Liam Neeson; “Sometimes, Always, Never” with Bill Nighy; “Hope Gap” with Annette Bening and Bill Nighy; and “Summerland” with Gemma Atherton and Penelope Wilson; plus excellent documentaries about the late Congressman John Lewis and Ella Fitzgerald.  Many of the other films offered were recent new releases we had already seen at the 2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival in January. The film society is one of the art treasures of our extended community, along with the Rehoboth Art League, Coastal Concerts, Clear Space, the Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre, among others   All these arts organizations, are deserving of our support, financial and otherwise.  All of them contribute to the quality of life in our community. The films presented at CAT are guaranteed to entertain you, to inspire you, and/or to provide much food for thought. Please join us, your friends and neighbors, and the wider community in supporting the Rehoboth Beach Film Society and its Cinema Art Theater.

Betty and Gary Grunder 
Lewes