CHATHAM, N.Y. – After months of preparation, FilmColumbia wrapped up its fourth season of world-class independent films and meet-the-filmmaker events. The three day festival of films from up and down the Hudson was held at Crandell Theatre in Chatham, New York, October 24-26. “It was a huge hit overall,“ said festival director Calliope Nicholas.
“Preliminary numbers indicate a 30% increase over last year's attendance,†said Sandi Knakal, Chatham Film Club president. “And this year, more people came to see more than one movie. I even spoke to some who saw every movie.â€
“The festival was remarkable in just about every way,†said first time FilmColumbia attendee and Troy resident Jan-Erik Steel. “I bought the all film pass, came everyday and it far exceeded my rather lofty expectations. I will definitely be back next year.â€
As expected, numerous filmmakers and film-industry professionals attended the festival. James Schamus, producer of such acclaimed films as Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and many others, introduced Saturday night’s sold out surprise feature film, 21 Grams. Schamus and Melissa Leo, on-screen wife of co-star Benicio Del Toro’s Jack, answered questions about the making of 21 Grams following the screening.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts resident Mickey Friedman presented his film Good Things To Life: GE, PCBs, and Our Town." FilmColumbia is a treasure and I feel honored to have been included,†Friedman said. “What is so impressive about FilmColumbia is its spirit. I was amazed by the great numbers of people who came out to see the work, and their enthusiasm and love for film... I feel greatly inspired and energized by my experience."
Other notables included Peter Biskind, former executive editor of Premiere and former editor in chief of American Film; Richard Stratton, producer and filmmaker; Alan Raymond; award-winning documentary filmmaker; Marc Blandori, filmmaker; Scott Cohen, of Kissing Jessica Stein; Dan Remmes, playwright and screenwriter; and many many others.
“We earned high marks for good quality films,†said Sandi Knakal.
The long-awaited High School Film project Reel Reality was screened Sunday at noon. Student Film Program mentor Courtney Hunt said that this year's High School Film Project was the most ambitious so far. “The students not only learned the fundamentals of filmmaking in five short months, but they also managed to come up with a script that stayed true to their experience as teenagers in 2003,†she said.
The surprise hit of the program was by Chatham High School students Brendan O’Connell and Alejandro del Peral, who participated in and documented the anti-war protest/peace march held in Washington, DC in October of 2002. The audience responded with a round of applause that rivaled any at the festival. It certainly got the most cheers.
“Everyone is thrilled at how the weekend turned out,†said Nicholas. “The steering committee, board members and even the merchants are extremely pleased with the enthusiastic turnout. It’s a testament to a high quality line up of films and the reputation we've earned for hosting a fun and affordable cultural event.â€
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant
Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu.
A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building.
White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.
He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns.
Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot.
A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more
For the boys, Ward Bianchi helped lead the way with a win in the shot put and a second place in the javelin as the Mounties finished 16 points ahead of runner-up Pittsfield (pending the results of the pole vault, which were unavailable at 11 p.m. Friday night). click for more
