BETHEL — The six-member screening team for Bethel Film Festival — a first-time event being coordinated for late October at Bethel Cinema — are on a break. Anyone who has screened more than 250 films in less than two months needs to take a break, even if they are among the most avid filmgoers in the area.
Bethel Film Festival will run six days and nights, October 25–30, offering a variety of independent and international films, videos and related events including filmmaker receptions, workshops, panel discussions, and an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding writing, editing, and cinematography. Attendees will also have opportunities to network and participate in educational workshops.
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Our theater has a somewhat checkered past that makes for potential fodder for a screenplay of its own. Originally part of the independent Jerry Lewis Theater chain in the ‘70s, it later housed a Triple-X adult movie theater into the early ‘80s, until being reborn as an evangelical Christian church – no fooling! With the sins of its past exorcised, the building was finally reclaimed as a movie theater, although this time as a true art house, showcasing the best and brightest in independent film. In any case, a new indie spirit rose out of these conflicted ashes and a legend was born. Come and experience it in all its new-found glory.
Located just a few minutes east of New York State and 68 miles North of Manhattan, Bethel is distinctive in many ways. It is both one of the smallest and one of the newest (a mere 150 years old!) towns in western Connecticut. Home to Cannondale bicycles, Chocolate Lace and Duracell batteries, Bethel was once home to one America’s most famous independent showmen, P.T. Barnum himself. 
Crammed inside its 17 square miles are numerous unique eateries and confectioners, including La Zingara, House of Yoshida, Greenwoods, Molten Java Coffee Roasters, Dr. Mike’s Homemade Ice Cream and Hauser Chocolatier. It even boasts a real-live, drive-in hamburger joint, the Sycamore, where they still make their own root beer. Yet despite its timeless, small town New England charm, this little gem of a town is part of thriving Fairfield County and is connected directly to Manhattan and Boston by commuter rail. In addition, the Bethel Film Festival will be held immediately following the New York Film Festival during the last week of prime foliage season – a perfect time for busy Manhattanites and others to visit us for a relaxed, friendly and affordable alternative to the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. In fact, you can even pick some of OUR apples while you’re here!