FilmColumbia 2024 to be held October 18-27

“The Crandell Theatre in Chatham, N.Y., is the palatial setting for a thriving film festival.”
—The Wall Street Journal

Two Decades of Award-Winning Films

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.

If a film screens at FilmColumbia, there’s more than a good chance that following its official release it will go on to be nominated for one of the industry’s top prizes. A look back at the festival’s award-winning programming year after year speaks for itself.

FilmColumbia’s special events are legendary. Among the most popular is the mystery “Saturday Sneak” preview film, which is only revealed to the audience moments before the screening. In recent years, the festival has also included special panels with filmmakers and industry leaders, a screenwriting workshop where participants can hear their work read by professional actors, and a children’s international festival of short films that is free to the community.

The festival is programmed every year by Peter Biskind and Laurence Kardish. Biskind is an author, film historian, contributing editor at Vanity Fair and Esquire, and past executive editor of Premiere magazine. His new book about the streaming revolution, Pandora’s Box: How Guts, Guile, and Greed Upended TV, will be published by HarperCollins in November 2023. Kardish is senior curator emeritus for film and media at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Calliope Nicholas, the long-time director of the festival, is Co-Director and Manager of Residency Programs at Millay Arts, an international artist residency in Austerlitz, N.Y.

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.”

Peter Biskind, FilmColumbia Co-Executive Director and Co-Artistic Director
Laurence Kardish, FilmColumbia Co-Executive Director and Co-Artistic Director
Calliope Nicholas, FilmColumbia Festival Director

Visit the FilmColumbia website

Chatham cited as one of the eight best small towns in the Hudson Valley for fall foliage

October 1, 2024 | TheTravel.com

Chatham enchants visitors with its blend of small-town charm and autumn beauty. The village’s well-preserved Main Street, lined with Victorian-era buildings, becomes a colorful canvas as the leaves change. Visitors can enjoy the fall scenery at Crellin Park, where walking trails wind through forests and around a picturesque pond.

Read the entire article. We’re #2.

Congratulations Sasha Langley, winner of our Summerfest Poster Contest

CABA is excited to announce the winner of our first annual Summerfest Poster Contest.  Working with Art Teacher Christina Scott and her art students, we received seven wonderful entries.  The winner is Sasha Langley whose poster can be seen above and all around town.  Generously printed by Chatham Printing – thank you Kelly and Al. 

Honorable mention goes to Alice Meyers, Emily Gaylord, Lizzie Morse, Cheyanne Perry, Maya Narofsky and Emilly Scheriff.

PS21 Announces 2024 Season

March 20, 2024 | BerkshireOnstage.blog

PS21’s 2024 season, diverse, distinctive performances by American and international artists, World, US, and North American premieres, work developed in our growing artists’ residency program, and expanded community programming for Columbia County residents.

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Chatham Brewing Releases Nectaron of the Gods Double IPA in Cans

Chatham Brewing, Columbia County’s first brewery in New York’s upper Hudson Valley, has released Nectaron of the Gods Double IPA, featuring Nectaron and Motueka, two southern hemisphere hops. This release, available in a four-pack of 16 oz. cans, will be released this week to the public.

This Double IPA is a welcome addition to the brewery’s long list of easy-to-drink beers that Chatham Brewing has to offer, even with an 8.5 percent ABV.

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World Atlas Names Chatham in Small Towns In New York for a Weekend Retreat Article

“One could spend a lifetime exploring the Big Apple’s five boroughs, sites, and attractions. However, once you get out of the city, New York boasts a ton of beautiful towns.”

“Chatham is a small town in the Hudson Valley with a quintessential downtown and is known for its vibrant art scene. Once known as Groats Corner, Chatham is known for its sense of community, and this is evident in the downtown area…”

Read the entire article.