Where Stories

Meet Community

Where Stories Meet Community

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We bring people together through powerful cinema by showcasing meaningful films, sparking conversation, and advancing storytelling and filmmaking across the Hudson Valley.

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Cinema that connects us.

Film Society of Newburgh is a home for bold storytelling and shared cultural experiences. We believe film opens minds, builds empathy, and helps us see one another more clearly.

Through curated screenings, conversations, workshops, and filmmaker events, we create spaces where stories come to life—not only on screen but also in the connections we build.

Rooted in Newburgh and the Hudson Valley, we support the growth of regional filmmaking and bring global voices to our community.

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What we do

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Curated Screenings

Thoughtfully selected films, shown with intention.

We program independent, classic, and contemporary films that invite conversation and connection. Screenings often include introductions, post-film discussions, or special guests to deepen the experience beyond the screen.

Includes:

  • Feature films & shorts

  • Themed series & seasonal programs

  • Special one-night events

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Conversations & Events

Film doesn’t end when the credits roll.

We host talks, Q&As, panels, and informal conversations that bring audiences together to reflect on what they’ve seen and heard.

Includes:

  • Post-screening discussions

  • Filmmaker Q&As

  • Community conversations

  • Partner events with local organizations

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Filmmaker Support

Supporting storytelling from our region and beyond.

We create opportunities for emerging and established filmmakers to share work, connect with audiences, and develop their craft.

Includes:

  • Filmmaker spotlights

  • Workshops & skill-building sessions

  • Screenings of regional work

  • Networking and community-building opportunities

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Community Partnerships

Cinema rooted in place.

We collaborate with local businesses, cultural groups, and community spaces to bring film into the fabric of Newburgh.

Includes:

  • Co-hosted screenings & events

  • Neighborhood partnerships

  • Site-specific or pop-up screenings

  • Cross-disciplinary collaborations

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Growing What’s Next

Building a sustainable film culture.

Our work is about long-term impact — nurturing audiences, supporting artists, and growing a shared film culture in the Hudson Valley.

Includes:

  • Education & outreach

  • Youth and community engagement

  • New programs in development

Film Society of Newburgh creates spaces where cinema is experienced, discussed, and shared. Our work spans curated screenings, community gatherings, and support for filmmakers — all rooted in Newburgh and the Hudson Valley.

Our ethos

Everything we do is guided by one belief: film is most powerful when experienced together.

Upcoming Events

  • Newburgh Pride

    06.23 11:30-6:30 AM

    Join us at Newburgh Pride for an informal meet-and-greet to learn about the Film Society, introduce yourself, and spark new creative possibilities together.

    RSVP

  • Newburgh Fringe Festival

    Stories From Here: Hudson Valley Shorts

    Saturday, October 17, 2026 - 2:30 PM EDT


    Diane De Niro Written and Directed By: Laura Ornella

    After failing to be seen for a big toe audition, all hope is lost for Diane until inspiration strikes and she opts to change her last name to a famous celebrity’s. As opportunities roll in, Diane struggles to keep her charade alive, amidst her roommate’s rise to stardom.


    Collision Written and Directed By: Frank Theodore

    When Jonathan confesses to his best friend Isaac that he may have killed someone in a hit-and-run, Isaac's world is turned upside down.

    Tickets

  • Newburgh Fringe Festival

    The Keeper

    Sunday, October 18, 2026 - 7:30 PM EDT

    The Keeper
    Directed By: Jon Bowermaster

    The Keeper follows John Lipscomb, the cantankerous and charismatic Hudson Riverkeeper who has spent 25 years patrolling the Hudson and traveling more than 80,000 miles by wooden boat. Directed by Hudson Valley filmmaker Jon Bowermaster, the 80-minute documentary connects environmental stewardship, regional history, and the people working to defend America's first river.

    The screening extends beyond the screen through a participatory River Action Exchange. Guests contribute memories, concerns, and hopes to a collective map of the Hudson, meet local people working to protect the river and its waterfront communities, and discover concrete ways to become involved.

    Watch a film. Mark your place on the river. Meet the people protecting it. Leave with one way to help.

    Tickets

  • Newburgh Fringe Festival

    Reel Improv

    Ever wish a favorite movie had ended differently, or wondered what happened in the scene that never made the final cut?

    Reel Improv, presented by the Improv-a-go-go variety hour, turns those wishes into live comedy. Inspired by audience suggestions and popular movies, the cast invents deleted scenes, alternate endings, unlikely sequels, missing backstories, and cinematic moments no one has ever seen before.

    Music and projected video may be woven into the performance, giving the show the energy of a film screening that has escaped the screen. No script, no predetermined ending, and no two performances alike. You suggest the movie. They create the scene you always wanted to see.

    Tickets

  • Inspire Night

    10.21 7:00-8:00PM

    An interactive session for creators, storytellers, makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.

    RSVP

  • The Cut

    11.21 7:00-8:00 PM

    A space for filmmakers to screen works in progress, test ideas, and receive constructive notes from fellow artists and audiences.

    RSVP
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Get Involved

  • Check our calendar for upcoming events, contact us about work you’d like to share.

    See what’s playing

  • Be part of the story.

    Film Society of Newburgh is built by and for the community.

    Learn more

  • Be part of a community that brings meaningful film, conversation, and culture to Newburgh and the Hudson Valley.

    Learn More

Join
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Support the Society

Help us grow a vibrant film culture in Newburgh through partnerships, sponsorships, and community support.

  • We collaborate with local businesses, cultural groups, and community spaces to integrate film into the fabric of Newburgh.

  • Partner with the Film Society of Newburgh to support meaningful cinema and connect your brand to a vibrant, engaged cultural community.

  • Donations directly fund film screenings, filmmaker events, educational programs, venue costs, and artist support, helping us build a sustainable film culture in the Hudson Valley.

Donate

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Filmmakers

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We showcase films by filmmakers from Newburgh, the Hudson Valley, and beyond, highlighting diverse voices and bold storytelling across genres.

We accept submissions for screenings, festivals, and special programs, especially those with a strong point of view, community ties, or underrepresented perspectives.

In addition to exhibitions, we support filmmakers through conversations, spotlights, and opportunities to connect with local audiences.

Submit your film

Community & Partners

Proud to collaborate with local organizations, venues, and cultural partners across Newburgh and the Hudson Valley.

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The Ellis

Safe Harbors on the Hudson

Gridworks Studios

The Betty

190 Bar

ADS Warehouse

Let’s Work Together

We’d love to build a partnership that supports both your organization and the cultural life of our community.

Contact us to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.