Where stories meet community.
Film Society of Newburgh is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing meaningful cinema and shared cultural experiences to Newburgh and the Hudson Valley. We believe film is more than entertainment—it’s a powerful art form that builds empathy, sparks dialogue, and helps us see the world and each other more clearly.
Through curated screenings, conversations, educational programs, and filmmaker events, we create spaces where stories come to life not only on screen but also in the connections we build together.
We are also committed to keeping films rooted in the Hudson Valley. Too often, productions are made here and then leave. We want to help shift that model by supporting a creative ecosystem where films can be cast, made, and experienced here, strengthening our region’s cultural and economic life.
Our Mission
Film Society of Newburgh brings people together through powerful storytelling, showcasing films that amplify diverse perspectives, foster understanding, and inspire conversation. Rooted in Newburgh, we are committed to building a vibrant cultural hub where cinema connects our local community and reflects the broader experiences of the Hudson Valley.
Rooted in Place
Film Society of Newburgh connects cinema with the life of the city. We partner with local merchants, gather along Liberty Street, and bring stories to life from the screen to the waterfront. By weaving film into the fabric of community, we help create a vibrant cultural landscape where art and place belong together.
We support the growth of filmmaking, education, and creative production throughout the region, and work to ensure that Newburgh is not just a place where films are shot, but a place where stories are developed, talent is nurtured, and films are shared with the community. Through our programs, we provide access to cinema as an art form and create space for dialogue, creativity, and connection.
Why We Exist
In a time when so much of our media experience is solitary, we believe in the power of gathering. Watching a film together creates a shared emotional experience — one that can build empathy, open dialogue, and strengthen community bonds.
We’re here to make space for stories that matter, voices that need to be heard, and moments that remind us what connects us.
Meet the Board
Film Society of Newburgh is guided by a volunteer board of directors committed to building a vibrant cultural home for film, storytelling, and community connection in the Hudson Valley and film.
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Film Society of Newburgh is led by Jaime Fallon, a creative director with over 20 years of experience across arts and media in New York City and the Hudson Valley. Her background spans film, television, theater, and live performance, with a focus on creative development, production, and audience engagement.
Jaime has worked on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and has written and performed original work, including the web series Mea Culpa, directed by Nia DaCosta (Little Woods, Candyman). She has performed at institutions including Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), where she appeared in the Del Close Marathon alongside Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, and has collaborated with performers such as Bobby Moynihan, Ed Helms, and Charlie Sanders.
Based in Newburgh, Jaime produces and art directs live programming and events across the Hudson Valley and New York City, including work at Savage Wonder Theater in Beacon, NY. Her practice brings together storytelling, event production, and community engagement—creating spaces where artists and audiences connect.
Through the Film Society of Newburgh, she is building a platform for meaningful film programming and filmmaker support, with a focus on strengthening a sustainable, locally rooted film culture in the Hudson Valley.
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Shayna Weingast is a film programmer and content acquisitions professional with extensive experience across festivals, distribution, and live-event production. She currently serves as Storytelling Summit Producer at Tribeca Festival and has held key roles in content acquisitions and programming at Giant Pictures and Starz.
With more than a decade at Tribeca, Shayna has worked across multiple facets of film and television programming, including serving as Associate Programmer, Film and TV, and producing live events, including their Talks programming and Tribeca X. Her career also includes significant contributions to NewFest, New York’s leading LGBTQ film festival, where she supported filmmakers and helped shape inclusive programming.
Shayna’s background spans film curation, acquisitions, and filmmaker relations, with additional experience producing panel programming for DOC NYC. She brings to the Film Society of Newburgh deep expertise in film programming, industry insight, and a strong commitment to supporting filmmakers and building meaningful audience experiences.
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Michelle Kettler is a nonprofit and travel industry operations professional with a focus on adaptability, strategic growth, and impactful solutions. With over a decade of experience at Empire FX, she has played a key role in scaling operations, managing financial systems, and ensuring regulatory compliance in a complex production environment.
Her background brings strong organizational leadership and operational stability to the Film Society of Newburgh, supporting sustainable growth and effective program execution.
Michelle is a passionate advocate for the arts and cultural initiatives in the region. She is committed to connecting local businesses, artists, and residents through shared cultural experiences and supports the Film Society’s mission to build meaningful partnerships and expand community engagement.
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She has worked in brand partnerships and marketing for two decades at venerable organizations, including Tribeca Film Festival, IMG Fashion (Endeavor), New York Magazine (Vox Media), and iHeartMedia. Her global experience ranges from experiential marketing to branded content, having developed and executed creative concepts for over 100 brands, including American Express, Canva, Chanel, Pepsi, Unilever, and United Airlines . She is dedicated to expanding access to film as an art form and supporting regional storytelling. Her perspective helps shape programming that reflects diverse voices and meaningful community engagement.
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Mara Webster is a programmer, producer, and interviewer specializing in film, television, and the creative process. She is the Co-Founder and Head of Programming at In Creative Company, a year-round digital talk series featuring in-depth conversations with artists across film, television, and theater.
Mara has over a decade of experience producing and moderating discussions on storytelling and craft, leading live and virtual interviews, panels, and retrospectives with some of the industry’s most influential voices. Her work includes moderating programs for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and collaborating with organizations such as Netflix, Apple TV+, HBO, IFC, and BAFTA. She has interviewed a wide range of artists, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Stewart, and Rian Johnson.
In addition to her work as an interviewer and producer, Mara has worked as a film festival programmer and has contributed to the Sundance Film Festival as a Programming Associate for features and episodic content. She also served on the advisory boards of the North Fork TV Festival and the North Bend Film Festival.Mara brings deep expertise in programming, artist engagement, and audience development to the Film Society of Newburgh, supporting the organization’s mission to present thoughtful cinema and foster meaningful dialogue between filmmakers and the community.
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Kim Barrett is a digital sales and marketing leader with deep expertise in multicultural and cross-cultural strategy, audience engagement, and brand partnerships. She currently serves as an Account Director at SiriusXM Media’s Cultural Practice, where she leads initiatives that connect brands with diverse audiences through culturally relevant storytelling and media.
With a career spanning leadership roles at SiriusXM, Pandora, Univision, and Estrella Media, Kim brings over 15 years of experience in media, sales strategy, and relationship building. Her work is rooted in trust, consistency, and accountability, with a strong track record of forging meaningful connections between brands and communities.
Kim brings to the Film Society of Newburgh a valuable perspective on audience development, marketing strategy, and community engagement. Her experience supports the organization’s ability to grow its reach, build partnerships, and connect with diverse audiences across Newburgh and the Hudson Valley.