named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
$5 Wednesdays
Discounted admission program offering reduced-price tickets on Wednesdays
CLOSE UP Series
Special screenings featuring in-person or virtual appearances by filmmakers and special guests
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 5 activities
- Host special film events with filmmaker participationOrganizes one-night-only screenings and special events featuring in-person or virtual appearances by filmmakers, directors, subjects, authors, and contributors, including Q&A sessions, talkbacks, and post-screening discussions as part of the CLOSE UP and other curated series.
- Operate year-round cinema programs at multiple locationsRuns regular film screenings seven days a week across three venues: Starr Cinema in Rhinebeck, Upstate Midtown in Kingston, and the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties, featuring international and independent cinema without commercials and with limited pre-show trailers.
- Organize traveling and outdoor cinema during emergenciesDeployed a state-of-the-art traveling cinema to provide over 40 outdoor music and film events during the pandemic, maintaining community access to cultural programming.
- Present curated film series in partnership with community organizationsHosts collaborative film series such as ARThouse: Craft & Process with The Art of Building and Joyride with Ruge's, focusing on thematic or revival programming in partnership with local entities.
- Present free community and family film screeningsHosts free weekend family film series and public events, including screenings of animated and classic films, as well as free viewings of major events like the FIFA World Cup 2026, to engage broad community audiences.
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Film Distribution and Screening Programs 1 activity
- Deliver educational film programs to schoolsProvides cinematic experiences and discussions to public school students through the Momentum program, serving over 1,800 students in Dutchess and Ulster counties during the 2022–23 school year.
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Historic Theater and Arts Venue Preservation 1 activity
- Preserve and operate historic cinema venuesOwns and operates historic theaters including the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties, which was rescued and renovated with the addition of the Mark screening room featuring Dolby Atmos sound, and previously operated the Tinker Street Cinema in Woodstock for 10 years.
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Produce live performances and lecturesProduces live theater, music performances, and lectures through the Live from Upstate series, expanding programming beyond film to include multidisciplinary arts events.
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Membership Program Administration 1 activity
- Support operations through membership and ticket donationsRelies on a membership model established in 1972 and treats ticket sales as donations to sustain operations, reflecting a community-supported funding approach.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Manage ticketing, waitlists, and audience access systemsOperates box offices 30 minutes before daily showings, manages online ticketing, and maintains a waitlist system for sold-out events, releasing unclaimed seats 10 minutes before showtime.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$1.90M
Contributions & grants$1.09M57%
Program service revenue$676K36%
Investment income$42K2%
Other revenue$93K
expenses
Total expenses$1.61M
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$737K
Grants paid out$4K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.67M
Cash$71K
Investments$718K
Liabilities$1.35M
Net assets$1.32M
Liquid reserves5.9 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +36.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL STURTZ | CO-DIRECTOR | 40 | $85K |
| JASON SILVERMAN | CO-DIRECTOR | 40 | $77K |
board members · 12
- ALLEN COULTER — CO-CHAIR
- BARBARA HUSEBY — CO-CHAIR
- CHIP BOHL — BOARD MEMBER
- ELISSA FEDEROFF — BOARD MEMBER
- ERIK STANGVIK — BOARD MEMBER
- GRIFFIN DUNNE — BOARD MEMBER
- JUDITH KEEFER — TREASURER
- MACKENZIE COLGAN REINOSO — BOARD MEMBER
- SARA ARNO — BOARD MEMBER
- SUSAN BODINE — BOARD MEMBER
- SUSAN MERCANDETTI — BOARD MEMBER
- TOM BULLARD — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 49
Who they work with
- Amanda N. Miller, PLLC Partner — Legal services partner based in Rhinebeck, NY, specializing in real estate and civil litigation.
- Archtop Fiber Partner — Internet services partner providing 100% fiber optic network to the Hudson Valley and Upstate Films.
- Arrowood Brewery Partner — Official beer partner of Upstate Films, supplying beer for concessions.
- Avalon Fast Partner — Collaborates with filmmaker Avalon Fast for a 'CLOSE UP' screening of Camp.
- Bard College Partner — Collaborates on the Bard Student Showcase 2026 film program
- Bjorn Qorn Partner — Concession partner and official popcorn provider using non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan ingredients.
- Blaze Audio Partner — Audio partner providing high-quality sound systems for the Mark screening room at the Orpheum.
- C. Cassis Partner — Concession partner offering locally made aperitifs and non-alcoholic blends in Upstate Films theaters.
- CCL Presents Partner — Partners to host conversation events at the theater.
- Casey Fenton Partner — Collaborates with producer Casey Fenton for a 'CLOSE UP' screening of The Lemurian Candidate.
- Circle of Friends for the Dying Partner — Collaborates to present special screening events.
- Clermont Coffee Partner — Local coffee company partner roasting single-origin, sustainably sourced beans for concessions.
- Crumble+Melt Partner — Concession partner providing small-batch cookies in Upstate Films theaters.
- Debra Granik Partner — Collaborates with filmmaker Debra Granik for a 'CLOSE UP' screening of Conbody vs Everybody.
- Foxfire Mountain House Partner — Hospitality partner offering a boutique inn and restaurant in Mt. Tremper, NY.
- IXL Health & Fitness Partner — Fitness center partner with locations in Rhinebeck and Saugerties, supporting community wellness.
- J.Mak Hospitality Partner — Hospitality partner focused on nature, culture, and adventure travel experiences.
- Krause's Chocolate Partner — Official chocolate partner of Upstate Films, providing hand-made chocolates in theaters.
- Lite Brite Neon Partner — Custom neon art and design studio partner with offices in Brooklyn and Kingston.
- Mary Harron Partner — Collaborates with filmmaker Mary Harron for a 'CLOSE UP' screening of I Shot Andy Warhol.
- Mental Health America of Dutchess County Partner — Nonprofit partner providing mental health talkbacks and awareness programs in conjunction with film screenings.
- Midtown Arts Center Partner — Co-hosts Family Film Series screenings in Kingston.
- Midtown · Kingston Partner — Co-presents film screenings and events with Midtown Theatre in Kingston.
- National Theatre Live Partner — Co-presents theatrical film broadcasts of stage productions.
- Omega Institute Partner — Educational organization partner offering workshops and retreats in the Hudson Valley.
- Oren Jacoby Partner — Collaborates with filmmaker Oren Jacoby for a 'CLOSE UP' screening of This is Not a Drill.
- Orpheum Theatre Partner — Co-hosts Family Film Series screenings in Saugerties.
- Rhinebeck Pilates Partner — Pilates studio partner offering group classes, privates, and workshops in the Hudson Valley.
- Rouse + Co Partner — Boutique real estate brokerage partner located in Rhinebeck Village, sharing space with Upstate Films.
- Ruge's Partner — Partner in presenting Joyride, a monthly Revival House series of classic films celebrating Ruge's 90th anniversary.
+ 19 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cinematic Storytelling for Social Changemethodology: cinematic_storytelling_for_social_changeBy curating films that highlight themes of kindness, equity, safety, and sustainability, and pairing them with expert dialogue, UPSTATE FILMS LTD fosters shifts in audience attitudes and behaviors because narrative-driven experiences can transform perspectives more effectively than informational outreach alone.
- Enhanced Engagement Through Filmmaker Interactionmethodology: filmmaker-engagementBy hosting in-person or virtual discussions with filmmakers immediately following screenings, UPSTATE FILMS LTD deepens audience understanding and emotional connection to films because direct access to creators provides artistic and contextual insight that enhances the transformative potential of cinematic storytelling.
- Film-Based Education with Curriculum Integrationmethodology: film-based_educationBy collaborating with educators to design film programs and providing advance materials, UPSTATE FILMS LTD integrates cinematic experiences into STEAM and humanities learning because structured, context-rich film engagement strengthens student understanding of complex subjects like local history and cross-cultural dynamics.
- Hybrid Cultural Programming for Expanded Reachmethodology: hybrid_cultural_programmingBy combining film screenings with live music, community partnerships, and outdoor mobile cinema events, UPSTATE FILMS LTD increases engagement and access because integrating cinema with broader cultural experiences attracts diverse audiences and sustains relevance across changing conditions.