Close Up is our new quarterly place to show you behind the scenes and share exciting news about what is happening at the theater.

Thanks to support from dedicated film lovers like you, we are on the way to making vital upgrades to our outdated projection equipment with new 4K projects.

Thank you for making these upgrades possible through your generous support of our nonprofit theater.

The Road AheadWe stand by our mission of bringing you a curated blend of films, while maintaining the highest possible presentation standards. We will share more info and timing on this project soon.

Thank you for making these upgrades possible through your generous support of our nonprofit theater!

We are thrilled to announce that Andrew J. Douglas, Ph.D., has joined our team at Renew Theaters as our Senior Director of Education. Andrew will be bringing his experience as the former Deputy Director and Founding Director of Education at Bryn Mawr Film Institute to help us grow our in-theater Educational programs.

We asked Andrew a few questions to help our members get to know him:

What’s the movie that made you fall in love with cinema?
Coming of moviegoing age in the late 1970s/early '80s, there are a lot of titles that played a part in that, but if I had to narrow it down to one, it would be the earliest one I remember seeing in a theater--the old movie house in my small hometown that was razed not many years later — SUPERMAN (1978). The poster promised, "You'll believe a man can fly," and when I walked out of that theater, I did.

What’s been one of the most rewarding moments in your career so far?
I guess I'd have to say it was being in my previous theater for the first several on-site classes after COVID and hearing the warm greetings and kind appreciation from the dozens of new students who discovered our education program via the free, online learning opportunities we provided during the mandated closure. It clearly meant a lot to them that we created and sustained that virtual film community for all those months, and that means a lot to me.

What excites you most about your role with Renew?
There are two main things: One is joining this outstanding team that does so much tremendous work bringing the best of cinema, old and new, to these wonderful communities that are committed to the vitality of their hometown cinemas. The other is being able to bring more film education to new audiences who are eager to learn.

What’s an underseen film you wish more people would discover?
Well, if I'm picking one, I guess it would be the 1937 screwball comedy THE AWFUL TRUTH starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant and directed by Leo McCarey. While I'm not sure one can call a movie that had two of the bigger stars of its era and was nominated for six Oscars "underseen," it isn't nearly as well known today as a movie like IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934), but it's just as smart, funny, and relevant.

If you could have dinner with any filmmaker (past or present), who would it be?
Boy, that's a tough one. I mean, Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles come immediately to mind, but so much has been written and said about them that I am not sure I would learn anything new. Maybe Billy Wilder. A lot has been written about him, too, but he was so witty, so worldly, and such a raconteur that hearing his thoughts on cinema (and the world) since his passing in 2002 should make for a really good time.

We’re excited for the curiosity, dialogue, and discovery Andrew will bring to our theaters in the future. Be sure to say hello when you see him at the theaters!

Our upcoming Cinema Studies Seminars invite audiences to look closer and engage more deeply with the films we love. Film is more than entertainment — it’s art, history, and social commentary — best experienced together.

Facilitated by our Senior Education Director, Andrew Douglas, along with guest local professors, these seminars invite audiences to explore the context and cultural impact of some of your favorite films.

12 Angry Men – Thursday, May 28
Do the Right Thing – Wednesday, June 10
Sullivan's Travels (35mm) – Thursday, June 18
Dog Day Afternoon – Wednesday, July 29
Strangers on a Train – Wednesday, August 12
Scarface – Wednesday, August 26
Taxi Driver – Thursday, September 10

Whether you’re a lifelong film enthusiast or simply curious to explore movies on a deeper level, our Educational Seminars offer an engaging, welcoming environment to connect, learn, and see film in a whole new light. In a time when so much viewing happens in isolation, our communal discussions will create space for shared discovery.

🔗 Registration is now open »

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual Hollywood Awards Party fundraiser this year! This special evening brings our community together to celebrate cinema’s biggest night while raising vital funds to support our nonprofit theater.

It was especially exciting to witness several historic first-time wins together on the big screen — including Director Paul Thomas Anderson, Actor Michael B. Jordan, and a groundbreaking victory for Sinners cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who became the first woman ever to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography. Moments like these are exactly why we love coming together as a community to celebrate and witness how powerful film can be.

A special thank you to our event sponsors — whose generous support helped make the evening possible. We’re also incredibly grateful to the local restaurants that provided the delicious food, adding to the festive atmosphere and making the night feel like a true celebration.

Events like this one remind us that our theaters are more than just places to watch films—they’re places where our community comes together to celebrate. We hope to see you again for next year’s Hollywood Awards Party—confirmed on March 14th, 2027!

🔗 Full photo gallery from this year's party »

Interested in sponsoring our largest event of the year? Contact Shannon Quinty at squinty@renewtheaters.org for more information!

In 2026, Renew Theaters is proud to present Reel Rebels, a year-long series celebrating movies that champion the nonconformists, the underdogs, and those fighting the odds. From renegade characters to visionary filmmakers struggling to get their stories told, this series highlights the films that remind us why cinema has always been a home for dissenters and dreamers.

The series kicks off at the County Theater with a packed spring lineup including:

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington – Thursday, March 26
Cool Hand Luke – Thursday, April 2
Band of Outsiders – Thursday, April 9
The Passion of Joan of Arc – Wednesday, April 15
Ghost in the Shell – Thursday, April 23
Hollywood Shuffle – Thursday, April 30
To Be or Not to Be – Wednesday, May 6
Brazil – Thursday, May 14

🔗 See the full Reel Rebels lineup »

Are we showing one of your favorite movies on the big screen? Support the County Theater and bring your favorites to the big screen through our Underwriting Program!

Individuals, businesses, and organizations can help cover the costs of a film, special event, or an entire series—like the Reel Rebels, Movies at the Mercer, or Hollywood Summer Nights — while showing support for our nonprofit community theater.

Underwriters receive four tickets to the event, are recognized on screen and online, and have the opportunity to introduce a screening in person. Single-film underwriting starts at $400, with custom options for series sponsorship or special ticket underwriting.

🔗 Start making an impact today »