Famous “Upstate” New York Movie Theatre Receives Grant for $50,000

Upstate Films has been a key part in inspiring me as an artist since I was young. I remember my dad taking me to see the film It Might Get Loud featuring rock legends Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White. As a kid who was just starting to learn guitar at the time, watching that movie was instrumental to my growth.

In high school, I took a class called American Studies, in which we had to create a documentary short film. My group did a documentary on the life and career of Walter Cronkite. Once our films were complete, we got to premiere them at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck in front of our friends, families, and teachers. Though I am not making documentaries these days, that project was my introduction to video editing, and has led me down a path of editing audio and video projects for the radio station, along with for commercials, music videos, other short films, and more.

I'm only one of the millions of people that Upstate Films has reached and inspired. Since 1972, Upstate Films has screened 6,000+ different titles to an estimated 2.5 million viewers—an unrivaled accomplishment for a rural arthouse cinema—and collaborated with Educational institutions and not-for-profit organizations, hosted presentations by filMMAkers, writers and artists and produced and hosted festivals. Now, Upstate Films gets to grow, just as well, with a generous new grant.

Upstate Films Receives $50,000 Grant

Senator Michelle Hinchey announced on Saturday that Upstate Films was receiving a $50,000. Upstate Films' Starr Cinema in Rhinebeck needs some upgrades to continue serving the community, and a $50,000 grant was secured to replace the HVAC system, reduce the cinema’s carbon footprint, and enhance accessibility. Upstate Films Co-Director Jason Silverman happily gave Senator Hinchey a tour of the facility over the weekend.

Senator Hinchey said,

A good movie has the power to make us laugh, cry, learn something new, and introduce us to perspectives we may never have considered if it weren’t for buying that ticket and taking a chance on a film. For generations, Upstate Films' Starr Cinema in Rhinebeck has been the site for these enriching experiences. It’s also served as an economic engine for the village, drawing thousands of moviegoers every year.

The History Behind Upstate Films

Upstate Films, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, began screening world-class films in its Rhinebeck theater on a daily basis in May 1972. The mission of Upstate Films is simple - connect the Hudson Valley through transformative cinematic experiences. In their mission statement, Upstate Films says:

We believe that the moving image—the most powerful storytelling force in human History—can shape a kinder, safer, more equitable and sustainable world. We bring together our neighbors, filMMAkers, artists, schools and organizations, along with visitors to our region, using movies and other media-based storytelling. Our programs build empathy, a sense of connection and a stronger appreciation of our communities and our planet.

In 2010, Upstate Films expanded to Ulster County, and operated the Tinker Street Cinema Woodstock for 10 years. In 2021, Upstate Films purchased and rescued the historic three-screen Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties. During the pandemic, Upstate Films built a state-of-the-art Traveling cinema that has provided 40+ outdoor music + film events in some of the most beautiful spots in the region. The Live from Upstate series Films produces live theater and music performances and lectures; our Momentum program served more than 1,800 public school students in the 2022-23 school year.

Among the 50 years of highlights of mind-altering cinema are visits notable luminaries including New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael; Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory (who presented the first reading of their My Dinner with Andre, later made into a film);  Jonathan Demme, John Sayles, Todd Haynes, Errol Morris, Jim Jarmusch and Debra Granik. In the past two years, they’ve hosted programs with Frances McDormand and Joel Coen, Kelly Reichardt, Luca Guadagnino, Rick Linklater, Ethan Hawke, Susan Orleans and Godfrey Reggio.