Phase 1 Accomplished

Exhibiting great films
The best in film programming and exhibition is the bedrock on which Bryn Mawr Film Institute builds its educational and outreach programs. Our region now has a movie theater exhibiting the finest films available, seven days a week, afternoons and evenings! Special programs and visits from the creative talent behind the films--actors, writers, directors, and producers--enhance the film experience.

Membership goal is within reach
We set an ambitious goal of 5,000 members for our first year of operation, and met it. We’ve added more membership benefits like free preview screenings, free film discussions, discounted movie rentals at TLA, and discounts on our film education courses.

Join us! Click here to become a member today.

Film education courses have begun
In September 2005 the institute began offering film study courses of interest to the informed observer as well as the aspiring filmmaker. Our Director of Education, Andrew J. Douglas, Ph.D., developed the curriculum and teaches some of the classes, augmented by experts in specific areas of film studies.

Click here to learn more about the Film Education Courses.

See ● Hear ● Feel ● Film
The dream of bringing visual literacy and critical viewing education to elementary school students in the Delaware Valley became a reality in October 2005. The first group of teachers from the Norristown Area School District and BMFI volunteers were trained to present the acclaimed See ● Hear ● Feel ● Film program from the Jacob Burns Film Center. The first 4 classes of third graders from the Norristown Area School District arrived at the theater a few weeks later for the first unit of the program. We plan to offer the program to more underserved schools in our region this year.

Film Discussion Groups
Moderated film discussion groups meet in the Community Room several times a month.

Click here to learn more about the film discussion groups.

Special film events enrich the community
The range and number of special events presented at the BMFI in the past 10 months has far exceeded our expectations. We’ve partnered with other cultural organizations, civic groups, schools, faith communities, and governmental groups as a venue for their programs. In addition, BMFI has contributed over $167,000 in free goods and services to local organizations.

Open Screen Mondays
The BMFI opens its screen the first Monday of each month to aspiring film makers. They’re encouraged to bring a completed film or a work in progress and have it shown and critiqued by fellow film makers, film critics, and the interested public. The event is offered free of charge to participants and audiences.

BMFI on the National Register of Historic Places
The theater was entered in the National Register on December 28, 2005. This United States Department of the Interior register is the official list of historic places worthy of preservation.

A restored marquee is installed
The facade of the 1926 theater building got a “face-lift” when the new marquee, adapted from the original 1926 version, was installed. The new marquee is funded by a generous grant from the Dorrance H. Hamilton 1999 Charitable Trust.

Awards
In our first year, Juliet Goodfriend and BMFI have been honored with:
* The Lower Merion Historical Architectural Review Board 2005 Community Enhancement Award
* The Main Line Today - Best of the Main Line Community Esprit Award
* " Best Movie Theater” Main Line Times Reader’s Choice Award

“Success ahead of projections”
The Philadelphia Inquirer said it all with the headline of their article about the BMFI. Our first year projections were ambitious, and we have surpassed them. We’re looking forward to our second year—and the beginning of Phase 2.

Click here to read what The Philadelphia Inquirer had to say.