JBFC Annual Report 2016
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2016 Annual Report STORIES We Shared 1. Contents 03. 31. WELCOME OUTREACH 04. 35. SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS COMMUNITY FROM A MOST MEMORABLE YEAR 39. 0 7. A SALUTE TO OUR DONORS FILM 54. 16. FINANCIALS EDUCATION 25. CREATIVE CULTURE Cover Photos: Bo ttom left–Ed Cody; top center, left center–Lynda Shenkman Curtis; bottom center–Lori Zakalik 2. 2016 2016 was a very special year in the life out of the strategic plan we completed of the Jacob Burns Film Center—our 15th in June 2015. Scattered throughout the anniversary. We marked this milestone annual report you will find the Next Chapter the way the JBFC has approached every spotlights, focusing on projects we recently year of our life—celebrating all we have launched to help further our mission, scope, accomplished together while deepening our and reach. commitment to our community. We look back with great pride and an On the following pages, you will find just a overwhelming sense of gratitude for all sample of the memorable moments from we have achieved. As we continue to a most memorable year. From welcoming implement our strategic plan, we look writer-director Barry Jenkins and his forward to illuminating, inspiring, and breakthrough Academy Award–winning film educating an ever-growing community Moonlight, to bringing our groundbreaking of film lovers, filmmakers, change makers, media education curriculum, Image, Sound, teachers, and students of all ages through and Story, to three schools in New Orleans, the amazing power of visual storytelling. we shared remarkable experiences. Thank you for helping to make so much In addition to the hefty line-up of film possible. We will continue to write the and education programs we presented JBFC story—together. throughout the year, you will also discover new and evolving initiatives that grew Janet Benton Lynn Sobel Edie Demas Chair Vice Chair Executive Director 3. Lynda Shenkman Curtis Lynda SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM A MOST MEMORABLE YEAR A Great Filmmaker and The JBFC Travels to New Orleans a Great Friend On Dec. 3, JBFC faculty and staff conducted an Image, JBFC Board member Ron Howard joined us on Dec. 21 for a Sound, and Story professional development workshop for Q&A with JBFC President Janet Maslin following a screening teachers at three ReNEW Cultural Arts Academy schools of his spectacular documentary, The Beatles: Eight Days a in New Orleans. These schools are our most recent partners Week. A smash sensation of our fall season, it ran for seven through our ongoing collaboration with Turnaround Arts, which consecutive weeks at the JBFC. began in Bridgeport, CT and Brooklyn, NY in 2015–16. Ooh La La Bugs: Viewing and Tasting At 32, Damien Chazelle is the youngest director to win On Oct. 27, as part of “Focus on Nature,” the JBFC an Academy Award. He spoke to JBFC President Janet presented Bugs, a documentary that explores insects as a Maslin about the joys and challenges of making La La Land resource to combat world hunger. Following the screening, we (including shooting the opening number on a ramp connecting hosted a reception featuring a tasting menu custom-crafted the 105 and 110 freeways) following a preview screening on by Chef Mario Hernandez, renowned for his seamless and Dec. 4. inventive integration of traditional Mexican ingredients of the insect variety—ants, grasshoppers, and more—into a menu that draws on his Cuernavaca roots. 4. A Star Is Born With only one feature film under his belt, director Barry Jenkins created Moonlight, a powerful, hopeful, and beautiful work of art that won the Oscar for Best Picture. On Oct. 19, we screened Moonlight as part of “REMIX: The Modern Black Experience in Film, Media, and Art.” This special moment was followed by a conversation with Jenkins and writer Terrell Alvin McCraney (who shared the award for Best Adapted Screenplay), moderated by Darnell Moore. Watch the full Q&A. Lynda Shenkman Curtis Lynda The JBFC Goes to the White House We were invited to attend the awards ceremony for the March on Washington Film Festival’s Student and Emerging Film Competition held at the White House on July 20. JBFC faculty and staff joined students and teachers from schools in Brooklyn, NY and Bridgeport, CT at this special event in recognition of the power and potential of our Created Equal: Image, Sound, and Story civil rights curriculum, developed in partnership with the Brooklyn Historical Society. Learn more. The Best Get Better On June 23, the JBFC launched “Retro Revival,” an ongoing series that gives our audience an opportunity to watch gorgeous remastered or restored versions of great classics. A most fitting choice for opening night: It Happened One Night! 5. Photos: Lynda Shenkman Curtis Lynda Photos: An Encore Presentation with a Family Fun: Viewing and Doing Surprise Guest Children of all ages, along with parents and grandparents, On June 16, John Pizzarelli recreated some of his most enjoyed a day of family fun featuring a preview screening memorable musical moments at the JBFC, culminating with of The Little Prince followed by an interactive party at the a surprise appearance by the seven-string jazz guitar virtuoso Media Arts Lab. Click here to watch the fun unfold as families Bucky Pizzarelli. The audience went wild when father and son played and learned together. All proceeds from An Afternoon played a couple of numbers together. This was one of Bucky’s of Film and Family Fun, which took place on March 6, first public performances since the 91-year-old legend benefited the JBFC’s education and outreach programs. suffered a stroke the previous fall. Kudos to Our Emerging Inspiring Dialogue and Artist Fellows Social Change In Jan. 2016, then a JBFC Valentine and Clark Emerging On May 12, the JBFC was honored at the Westchester Artist, Tara Clune was selected as a Sundance Ignite Fellow. Martin Luther King Jr. Institute for Nonviolence’s seventh The new yearlong initiative enables young independent annual Celebration of Champions for our efforts to promote filmmakers (age 18–24) to attend the Sundance Film social change through film and education, community events, Festival, meet with filmmakers, and receive mentorship from special guests, and international artists-in-residence. Sundance Institute alumni. Fast forward: In Jan. 2017, two JBFC emerging artists, Leah Galant and Emily Ann Hoffman, were awarded Sundance Ignite Fellowships. 6. FILM “ With 399 films from The breadth of the films in 62 countries, ‘Contemporary Arab Cinema’ there was something is amazing. It is so fascinating for everyone at the to learn about cultures that are, JBFC in 2016. unfortunately, pretty alien to View the complete list. so many of us; this experience reinforces our common humanity. —Grace Kulwin JBFC member 15 YEARS OF FILM PROGRAMMING Fifteen years ago, no one—certainly not the years, as our community has grown in me—would have imagined that the JBFC size and scope, our theater has expanded would wind up playing more films, staging to five screens, and, for the programming more live events, hosting more special department, that change has been quite guests, and reaching a larger audience than transformative. It’s allowed us to think any other suburban arthouse in the country. more broadly about what we’re offering, while enabling us to provide more of what We’re a giant community of film lovers, but everyone wants to see. It’s also given us the when you think about it you realize we’re freedom to offer esoteric or more demanding really a giant community with a vast array of programs that will only appeal to the avid passions: music, dance, art, nature, social few. And that’s quite wonderful, too. justice, activism—the list goes on and on, because we discover so much together at We will continue to evolve and grow as the JBFC. And lest we get carried away, it’s an institution and a community as we worth saying that some of us are just lovers explore the world through the incredible of popcorn, and that’s as it should be! window of film. Thanks for being part of this amazing journey. Movies have the ability to show us what we can’t see for ourselves and take us anywhere we’re brave enough to go. Thousands of us — Brian Ackerman share new experiences collectively. Over JBFC Founding Director of Programming 8. ANNUAL SERIES OCTOBER 18–26, 2016 FOCUS ON FRAMEWORKS GREENHOUSE CommunityMatters local issues discussion activism ART ON FILM EMERGING DOCUMENTARY VOICES sponsored by APRIL 28–MAY 4, 2016 FROM THE MIDDLE EAST DANCE AND NORTH AFRICA CommunityMatters NATURE March 20-24, 2016 local issues discussion activism ON FILM SEPT. 29–OCT. 27, 2016 sponsored by CONTEMPORARY CommunityMatters local issues discussion activism sponsored by Arab Cinema SEPTEMBER 14–21, 2016 Motion Pictures Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict Troublemakers: The Story of Land Art Beltracchi: Focus on Nature is presented in partnership with The Art of Forgery THIS SERIES IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE Scenic Hudson and Groundwork Hudson Valley and made possible through generous support of GENEROSITY OF AN ANONYMOUS DONOR. Presented in partnership with the Hoch family and the van Hengel Family Fund. The Silence of Mark Rothko of Canada of National Archives Beny / Courtesy Roloff GUEST CURATOR LINA MATTA WILL INTRODUCE EVERY SCREENING MAKING WAVES THEMay 6–25, 2016 NEW MAY 12, JUNE 1, 2, 9, 2016 MEDITATIVEConsciousness, Spirituality…and the Kitchen Sink JAZZ ROMANIAN LIFE LOCAL WORKS from SESSIONS element WESTCHESTER CINEMA THE GREATS ON CAMERA DEC. 1–8, 2016 Making Waves is presented by the Romanian Film Initiative in partnership with the Jacob Burns Film Center. JAZZ SESSIONS IS SPONSORED BY This series is made possible by ADAM R.