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A new audio video system at the Southampton Arts Center has opened up additional opportunities to host film screenings throughout the year, an upgrade that works toward making the Southampton Village venue a leading destination for movies on the East End.
To start building that reputation, Southampton Arts Center now hosts a Friday night movie series that ranges from film festival favorites and first-run screenings to acclaimed documentaries.
“Every film we have chosen so far, excites me, but especially those that can’t be seen anywhere else,” said Amy Kirwin, the director of programming at the Southampton Arts Center. “We recently screened the 2017 Sundance Grand Jury prizewinner, ‘Dina,’ which had a very limited release in October.”
Ms. Kirwin added that two Academy Award-nominated films—“Faces Places,” which will be shown on April 6, and “Loving Vincent,” on April 27—are being shown in partnership with the Hamptons International Film Festival.
None of this would be possible, though, without the addition of new equipment in the rear portion of the Southampton Arts Center.
The digital cinema package includes a new surround-sound system and projector.
“The moviegoing experience is comparable to that of a regular movie theater,” Ms. Kirwin said. “We also have new chairs, which are very comfortable.”
By installing the new equipment, the theater is able to screen new releases, host film festivals and rent the theater for private screenings.
The equipment allows the programming to be “as high quality and cutting edge as the equipment itself,” Ms. Kirwin said.
As summer approaches, the Southampton Arts Center will continue showing documentaries inside the gallery on Sundays, along with a free outdoor movie series on Fridays.
“2018 will be the ‘Summer of Spielberg,’” Ms. Kirwin said. Every sunset film on Fridays from July 6 through August 31 will be a classic selection directed by Steven Spielberg. “The summer will be filled with everyone’s favorites, of course ending with ‘Jaws’ as a tradition.”
Until the summer season, films will continue to be shown on Fridays inside.
Admission for indoor film screenings is $10. This Friday, March 16, “A Suitable Girl” directed by Sarita Khurana and Smriti Mundhra will be shown at 6 p.m.
on Mar 13, 2018