Programming
How do we choose the films for Cinema
Center?
First, we follow the mission statement: Fort Wayne Cinema
Center, a not-for-profit cultural organization, is
dedicated to bringing the best of independent, foreign,
documentary, classic, and specialty films that otherwise
might not be shown in northeast Indiana, through a variety
of films, special events, educational programs, and
community outreach.
This year Cinema Center will present nearly 100
films. To fulfill our mission Cinema Center strives
for balance in programming: a balance between independent
films that appeal to a wide audience and more specialized
films that serve a narrower, often underserved audience,
between English language and foreign language films,
between feature and documentary films, between comedies and
dramas, between films for older and younger audiences.
We present films that are critically acclaimed, films that
have won festival prizes and other honors and awards, films
by local filmmakers, and films that have a particular
appeal to Midwestern audiences.
We're especially pleased whenever we can present a film
with a direct connection to the community. That might
mean a film like "Lonesome Jim" that was shot here in
Indiana. Or, it might mean something more fun than
that. For instance, several times we've shown films
because we get a phone call. "My son is in a
movie. Will you show it?" is an example of the kinds
of calls we get.
If you've made a film or have a friend or relative involved
in a film, give the office a call 426-3456 or an
e-mail, movies@cinemacenter.org. That's the first
step. We screen films before we agree to present them,
but we do enjoy showcasing films that have a bit of local
flavor, so do give us a call anytime.
We also love to work with local organizations. We
collaborate whenever possible with community
groups. Cinema Center has hosted the University of St.
Francis Student Film Festival for four years. We've
done films, programs and festivals with lots of
organizations including: the Sister Cities
Committee, Artlink, Community Harvest Food Bank, the
Lincoln Museum, Fort Wayne Jewish Federation, NIPR, Fort
Wayne Women's Bureau, the Center for Nonviolence, the Fort
Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne Dance Collective, Fort
Wayne Ballet and others. If you work with a community group
and know of a film that would benefit the cause of
your community group, please give us a call. We love
working with other community groups to raise awareness
about causes and concerns whether they are local, national
and global.
Cinema Center is far from Hollywood, but occasionally we
have the opportunity to advocate for quality
films. This year we will again participate in a
special program sponsored by the International Documentary
Association.
IDA's DocuWeek Theatrical Showcase is a public theatrical
exhibition of outstanding new documentary
films. DocuWeek is a Multicity Theatrical Tour that
helps qualify feature and short documentaries for Academy
Award consideration. The tour is sponsored
nationally by the International Documentary Association and
locally by Fort Wayne Cinema Center. The mission of
the International Documentary Association is to promote
nonfiction film and video around the world. At Fort
Wayne Cinema Center our mission is to bring the best in
film to northeast Indiana, so we are delighted to partner
with the IDA Docuweek tour. Dates for this program
will be announced later this Summer.
For more information about films on their way to Cinema
Center, go to the "Coming Soon" web page.