Bethel Film Festival, Bethel, Connecticut CT. Independent film, shorts, docs, features

269 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, Connecticut

A Brief History
(AKA The Agony and the Ecstasy)
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.

Food, Glorious Food: Concessions Without Compromise
Many residents will tell you they chose to live in Bethel because of the Bethel Cinema. Yes, the menu of movies is great but perhaps it’s because it also boasts a four-star concession stand complete with handmade and gourmet treats. It’s true! They have everything from hand-dipped chocolate covered pretzels to “magic” bars (no one will tell you what’s in them but they are out of this world!) Plus they do popcorn right at this place. First, they pop it fresh on premises – no pre-popped corn for them! Then they fill the bag halfway, layer on real melted butter, fill to the brim and repeat the butter. No worries, though – plenty of napkins are on hand.

An Art House, By the Numbers
The nuts and bolts of the theater – and another reason why we’ll do our festival right - are it’s four (4) screens, the ability to show both 35 and 16 mm film, plus digital projection capabilities, all with state-of-the-art sound and picture quality. No wonder why it has a dedicated base of regular filmgoers (2,500 and growing) from exclusive Fairfield, Litchfield, Westchester, Putnam and surrounding counties. It’s no wonder that hundreds of filmmakers from over eight nations have entered their latest and best films!

Tags: Bethel Cinema, history

This entry was posted on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 6:10 am and is filed under About festival. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.