ARMIDALE Film Club started on a high at its formal launch at the Belgrave Cinema last week with 176 members enlisted and a full house for the showing of its promotional movie.
The initiative, to screen some of the limited release art house films usually not seen outside capital cities, offers members 11 films a year, one each month except January, for an $80 membership fee.
Films will be shown once a month on Mondays at 5.30pm and Wednesdays at 7pm and a limit of 380 memberships has been set.
Behind the club is the group which organises Armidale’s successful International Film Festival each year, backed by UNE Life CEO David Schmude and UNE’s chief operating officer David Cushway.
The film club committee includes Linda Hess, Hilary Hutchinson, Martina Linneman and Caroline Downer.
“We were set a goal to enlist 100 members in the first month and we are confident we’ll reach 200 within the next week or so,” Ms Hess said.
“There are a lot of film enthusiasts in the Armidale community and they are delighted not to have to have to travel to Sydney or Brisbane to see these films.”
Guests at the launch sipped champagne supplied by the Armidale Ex-Services Club to celebrate the Cinema’s 19th anniversary before the screening of a Canadian movie Stories We Tell.
Mr Cushway said he was overwhelmed by the quick growth of the club.
“When Hilary Hutchinson and Linda Hess approached me about our support for the club I have to say I was sceptical that they could achieve a viable membership in such a short timeframe,” he said.
“But they were as good as their word and I was really impressed with the numbers at the launch, the number of members growing each day and the community enthusiasm for this project.”
Mr Cushway said an upgrade of the foyer at the Belgrave was being planned, following the installation of new 3D, 3K digital and sound equipment last year.
People wanting to join the film club can register at the cinema.
