The Coolest Little Indie Filmhouse in Charleston

Letter from the Board of Directors

Submitted by narayanis on

2011 was a blast, and in 2012 I hope we continue to delight you with more laugh-out-loud comedies, eye-opening documentaries, nail-biting thrillers, and all the rest. The Greater Park Circle Film Society’s 2011 season has been one of great films, great friends, and steady growth. Highlights include:

  • Screenings increased to 56, up from 49 screenings in 2010
  • Memberships at the Red Carpet and Green Room level have doubled since last year
  • Fundraising saw a 30% increase over 2010
  • Increased current and developed new partnerships:
    • Charleston County Library System partnered with us to distribute the monthly brochure to all of their branches.
    • We launched a monthly educational series in partnership with the PBS Community Cinema program, combining a topical documentary with an excellent post-movie panel and community forum.
    • Moviegoers continued to enjoy the quarterly Silver Screen Classics series, sponsored by the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department.
  • Our Facebook page reached over 550 fans and continues to grow
  • We welcomed Nancy Santos, Judy Wolk, and Paul Brown to the Board of Directors. Each brings their specific talents to our board. Nancy is a professional photographer, Judy is an attorney, and Paul is a movie producer who has been making award-winning feature films for over 15 years.
  • The monthly FUNimation At The Movies series has had continued success since its inception in March
  • The venue received a nice facelift, with the City of North Charleston tackling the outside, and a very well-attended community workday in October repainted and reorganized the inside
  • Major updates included new seating, a new projector, expanded concessions
  • Volunteerism has increased, not just for film nights but in many areas
  • Two SC filmmakers received micro-grants to help complete their projects

So 2011 was a great year, right? But we want 2012 to be even better, so here are a few plans for next year. You spoke on our annual survey and we listened:

  • Saturday screenings are moving to 8pm beginning in January. Now you can come to Park Circle, have dinner and enjoy a film afterward. This also leaves the possibility for a 5pm matinee screening, if that's something you want to see happen.
  • Even more screenings of the newest indies, along with classics, regional film, and shorts
  • More micro-grants to regional filmmakers
  • New partnerships with businesses and other nonprofits. And if your business wants to get involved or your nonprofit wants to collaborate, give us a call at (843) 628-5534

Would you like to volunteer? Your time and skills are just what we need to ensure an awesome 2012.  Please contact us via email at connect@parkcirclefilms.org, via phone at (843) 628-5534, or on the website at parkcirclefilms.org. Speaking of websites, the new parkcirclefilms.org is now mobile- and tablet-friendly, so you can see the latest schedule anywhere!

I'd also like to make a small personal request. I want you to bring two new friends to the next film you attend. Don't just tell them about the show; drag them along, hand them a warm bag of fresh popcorn and a frosty ginger ale, and share the experience with them. Movies really are better with a friend!

Charleston Film Festival at The Terrace and Art Institute of Charleston produce short films

Submitted by narayanis on

The 3rd Annual Charleston Film Festival at the Terrace Theater and The Art Institute of Charleston are pleased to announce that they have joined forces to support the filmmaking community in Charleston and the award-winning Terrace Theater.

Charleston Film Festival Director and Terrace Theater owner Paul Brown commented, "The 3rd Annual Charleston Film Festival at the Terrace is so pleased to have the continued support of The Art Institute of Charleston, and we are especially pleased to be able to give back to our talented young writers, producers and directors from The Art Institute. They are the future of the industry and we hope to have many of their films playing at our Festival and the Terrace.  I especially want to thank President Rick Jerue, as well as Doug Wynn and Ros Smith of the Art Institute faculty for their continued help."

In this collaboration, students at The Art Institute are competing to have their 60-second short film selected to play before each feature film at the Terrace during the months leading up to the 3rd Annual Charleston Film Festival in March. Each month a different short will be chosen and the short film will be exhibited daily at the Terrace. A first prize of $250 will be awarded to the winning short each month.

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