irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $86KFILM COLUMBIA: ORIGINATING IN 2000, FILM COLUMBIA IS ONE OF THE REGION'S CELEBRATED FILM FESTIVALS AND A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED VENUE FOR INDEPENDENT, FOREIGN, AND COMMERICAL FILMS. DURING THE TEN-DAY FESTIVAL, OVER FORTY PRE-RELEASED FILMS ARE SCREENED, MANY OF WHICH ARE AWARD-WINNING ENTRIES AT PRESTIGIOUS FILM FESTIVALS IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES.
named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
100th Anniversary Series
Monthly film series highlighting influential films from the past century, presented by notable figures in the film industry with live discussions
Community Wednesdays
Reduced-ticket or free admission events designed to increase access to films for local residents
Crandell LIVE!
Monthly series featuring post-screening Q&As with actors, filmmakers, writers, and special guests, including industry luminaries and Academy Award winners
FilmColumbia Festival
Ten-day annual film festival in October featuring award-winning independent, international, and pre-release films, often attended by filmmakers and industry leaders
Kid Flicks
Low-cost or free screenings for children, part of the theater’s commitment to accessible family programming
SEL in Film Program
Educational initiative using film to help young people develop social-emotional learning skills such as empathy, emotion regulation, and interpersonal awareness
Sonic Cinema
Film series focused on movies with significant musical themes or soundtracks, highlighting the intersection of music and cinema
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 3 activities
- Annual FilmColumbia film festivalHosts a ten-day annual festival each October featuring over forty pre-released and award-winning independent, foreign, and commercial films, including selections from major international and U.S. film festivals. The festival has presented over 600 international films, 42 of which won Academy Awards in individual categories.
- Post-screening discussions and live events (Crandell LIVE!)Presents the Crandell LIVE! series and other post-screening events featuring Q&A sessions with actors, filmmakers, writers, and industry professionals, including monthly 100th Anniversary Screenings with discussions led by individuals connected to the films.
- Year-round film screenings and curated seriesOperates a 446-seat historic single-screen theater in Chatham, NY, offering year-round screenings of mainstream, independent, and international films, including curated series such as Sonic Cinema (musical-themed films), Community Wednesdays, Kid Flicks, and interactive screenings. Attracts approximately 35,000 attendees annually.
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Historic Theater and Arts Venue Preservation 2 activities
- Fundraising and capital improvement campaignsRaised $600,000 to purchase the theater and complete essential repairs, and completed a $4.2 million renovation campaign to restore and modernize the historic facility.
- Operation and maintenance of historic theater facilityOwns, maintains, and operates the historic Crandell Theatre, listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, including a full restoration and $4.2 million renovation completed in 2025, with upgrades such as digital projection, compliant sound systems, new roof, HVAC, and steam boiler.
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Equitable Access Admission Programs 1 activity
- Community access and affordability programsProvides low-cost and free access to film and entertainment through reduced-ticket Community Wednesdays, free Kid Flicks and interactive screenings, and gift cards for future use, supporting affordable access for individuals and families.
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Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
- Concessions and merchandise salesOperates a concessions stand and sells gift cards redeemable for film and event tickets, concessions, and theater merchandise, supporting operational sustainability.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Education and youth development programsOffers film-based social-emotional learning (SEL) programs for youth to develop skills such as empathy and emotion regulation, and provides filmmaking programs for high-school students in the local area.
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Community Space Provision 1 activity
- Facility rental for public and private eventsOffers the theater and cafe space for rental for screenings, corporate retreats, school trips, private receptions, and other events, supporting community engagement and generating operational revenue.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Ticketing and audience servicesOffers online and in-person ticket purchasing with printed or mobile ticket options, ticket credits via gift cards for missed screenings, and enforces entry policies including ticket requirements, age supervision, and conduct standards.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$949K
Contributions & grants$698K74%
Program service revenue$242K26%
Investment income$5K1%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$637K
Program expenses56%
Admin / overhead38%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$224K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.50M
Cash$1.86M
Investments$0
Liabilities$229K
Net assets$3.27M
Liquid reserves35.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -5.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN LEACH | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - EX OFICIO | 40 | $52K |
| ANNIE BRODY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 5 | $15K |
board members · 16
- ANDREW GOETZ — TRUSTEE
- CALLIOPE NICHOLAS — FILMCOLUMBIA FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
- CARLEE DRUMMER — TRUSTEE
- CAROL SADLON — TRUSTEE
- IAN HOOPER — VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAM
- JAMES SCHAMUS — TRUSTEE
- JOANNE DUNNE MURPHY — SECRETARY
- JOHN LILLIS — TRUSTEE
- JULIE RASKIN — TREASURER
- LAEL LOCKE — TRUSTEE
- LAURENCE KARDISH — FILMCOLUMBIA CO-EXECUTIVE
- LYDIA KUKOFF — PRESIDENT
- MIRISSA NEFF — TRUSTEE
- NICK VAN ALSTINE — VICE PRESIDENT OF THEATER
- PETER BISKIND — FILMCOLUMBIA CO-EXECUTIVE
- VIKI SAND — TRUSTEE
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Partner — Hosts a screening event featuring Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as presenter.
- Chatham Bookstore Partner — Partners with the Crandell Theatre to expand literary programming.
- Chatham Film Club Partner — Collaborated with the Crandell Theatre to present independent and foreign films and co-produce the annual FilmColumbia festival.
- Chatham Public Library Partner — Collaborates with the Crandell Theatre to enhance literary programming.
- Columbia County Government — Operates the oldest and largest single-screen movie theater in Columbia County.
- Columbia County Council on the Arts Partner — Partnered with the Chatham Film Club to produce the FilmColumbia festival.
- Ellsworth Kelly Foundation Partner — Provided leadership and support in the community effort to purchase and restore the Crandell Theatre after its 2010 closure.
- Laurence Kardish Partner — FilmColumbia Co-Executive Director and Co-Artistic Director
- Millay Arts Partner — Collaborates with the Crandell Theatre to diversify arts programming in Chatham.
- Millay Arts Partner — Festival director Calliope Nicholas holds leadership roles at both organizations.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Primary public funder supporting Crandell Theatre's programs
- PS21 Partner — Collaborates with the Crandell Theatre to expand arts offerings and strengthen Chatham as an arts hub.
- Peter Biskind Partner — FilmColumbia Co-Executive Director and Co-Artistic Director
- Shaker Museum Partner — Collaborates with the Crandell Theatre to diversify program offerings and promote Chatham as a regional arts destination.
- Spencertown Academy Partner — Partners with the Crandell Theatre to broaden arts programming and support regional cultural development.
- local businesses Partner — Local businesses advertise at the Crandell Theatre and sponsor community programs.
strategies · 3
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.
- Community-Engaged Cinema Through Direct Dialogue and Participationmethodology: audience-engagement-through-direct-dialogueBy hosting post-screening discussions with film-connected individuals and offering member-supported programming, the theater deepens audience engagement and educational impact, because direct interaction transforms passive viewing into active community dialogue and meaning-making.
- Culturally Resonant Curation to Strengthen Community Engagementmethodology: culturally_resonant_curationBy curating films that highlight distinctive directorial voices and modern comedies of manners, the theater creates culturally resonant cinematic experiences that deepen community attachment to film art, because shared cultural narratives foster collective identity and sustained audience investment.
- Film as a Tool for Youth Social-Emotional Learningmethodology: film-based social-emotional learningBy using film storytelling in youth programs, the organization teaches social-emotional skills such as empathy and emotional regulation, because narrative immersion enables relatable, low-pressure reflection on complex feelings and interpersonal dynamics.