Chincoteague Island Films
10TH Year Anniversary Season

  Some may remember the year 2000 as the millenium year we all survived the “Y2K” scare.  For film buffs on Chincoteague, it was the year that a small group of islanders got together and decided to start a  non-profit film club to show movies of special cinematic interest, award winners, foreign films and films of artistic merit at the historic Island Roxy Theatre. Thanks to the owners and staff of the theatre, then manager Kathy Holland and current manager Karen Murphy,  Chincoteague Island Films (CIF) has brought ten years of first-rate films to one of the few remaining big-screen theatres from the golden age of film.

In the past decade, CIF has shown over 85 acclaimed films in two series a year, spring and fall, consisting of four or five films in each series.  Offerings are varied, for example:   the early Coen brothers film, Blood Simple; Winged Migration, a popular “must see” for birders and lovers of nature; The Pianist, a Holocaust survivor’s story that won Oscars and the Palme d’Or Award; Rabbit Proof Fence, a true story of the Australian government’s mistreatment of aborigine girls; and a beautiful Korean film favorite, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… Spring.  At the request of members, an after-film discussion is led occasionally by a person knowledgeable  of the film.

  None of this could have happened without the loyal support of CIF members, many of whom have been subscribers the entire 10 years. Their passion for fine films helped the CIF weather such early mishaps as having the wrong film arrive, or the projector break down, or projecting in the wrong film format, so that either the actors’ heads or the sub-titles were missing.  Once,  a hurricane cancelled the show!  Despite the occasional setback, filmgoers have been treated to a variety of great movies that otherwise would be unavailable on the large screen to local viewers.

CIF also receives community support from Barbara Witt and her Business and Technology classes at Chincoteague High School and a number of business sponsors, including the most recent sponsor: the Refuge Inn. Given these difficult times, the organization especially appreciates their support.

The 10-year celebration and Fall Film Series begins September 10 with a replay of the original 2000 Opening Gala followed by the film "Earth", a breathtaking journey into the majesty of the natural world. The rest of the Tenth Anniversary Season features the following:  On October 1, "Ronin", a top-notch thriller; November 5, "Seraphine", the true story of a French housekeeper who paints secretly at night; and on December 3, "Kinky Boots", a hilarious British comedy also based on a true story.  All films start at 8 p.m.  Season memberships are available for $25 and entitle the member to a transferable pass good for the Opening Gala, four great films, plus the popular Member Appreciation Party catered by Sea Star Café in December.

For more information about CIF or the films, please call

Dee Halligan at (757) 336-2622
or
Alice Spangler at (757) 336-1221
 

To become a Fall series member, please send your check
made out to Chincoteague Island Films and mail to

Gail Reichard
P.O. Box 67
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336.