Features from around the world include dramas, comedies and thrillers
On a cool night in the fall of 1997, five film fans met in Rehoboth and devised the idea of working with local restaurants to screen independent films. After spreading the word of this event to other film buffs and members of the coastal town’s community, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society was formed and the festival premiered in 1998.
Since then, the film society has expanded to a not-for-profit arts organization that sponsors a wide range of film programs for the community, including the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival. The society’s growing popularity made way for the Cinema Art House, a professionally designed theater that seats 108 and is set to open in early 2016.
This year, the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival celebrates 18 years of promoting cinematic arts and providing education and cultural enrichment. Featured this year will be more than 50 films, and genres include comedy, drama and thriller, imported from countries such as the United Kingdom, Iceland, Spain, Germany and India.
Set for Saturday, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Nov. 15, the festival will be held at several venues: Cape Henlopen High School, Metropolitan Community Church, Atlantic Sands Hotel, Inn at Canal Square, Lewes Canalfront Park, Rehoboth Art League, Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, Rehoboth Beach Public Library and South Coastal Library. All venues are within minutes of each other by car.
A Festival Pass is required each year to purchase tickets for the Film Festival. Six levels of Festival Passes are available, offering different benefits. The levels include: Director ($200), Producer ($90), Screen Writer ($40), Film Buff ($20), Student ($10) and Mini ($5). Valid for one individual, a pass allows the purchase of one ticket per film title. Members of the Film Society are not required to buy a Festival Pass. The final day to purchase a Festival Pass and Film Society membership is Nov. 5. After that, passes and memberships can be purchased at the Festival Box Office.
Although this event is fun for all ages, viewer discretion is advised, and each film will be rated accordingly. For more information, go to rehobothfilm.com/festival.html.