Can you believe that in less than a month, the Dietrich Theater will kick off its annual Spring Film Festival? This winter is just flying by and I am ready for the great weather and films that spring will bring to northeast PA and the Dietrich.

For this festival we bring in 21 films in 21 days. Festivities will kick off on Friday, April 1 with a grand Opening Night Gala. The evening will include beer, wine, desserts from Epicurean Delight, two films and delicious hors d’oeuvres from Twigs Café, the Fireplace Restaurant, Epicurean Delight, Ma Greenley’s BBQ and Seasons Restaurant.

Sounds like a nice night out, right?

The films featured for the opening include “Brooklyn” and “The Lady in the Van,” starring Dame Maggie Smith. Both movies look absolutely charming and I can’t wait to see them. Tickets are $40 each so gather up your friends and make a night of it. Tickets can be reserved at 570-996-1500.

In addition to the two acclaimed we will be showing on opening night, the following are the 19 other films that will be showcased throughout the Spring Film Festival: “45 Years,” “Anomalisa,” “The Big Short,” “Carol,” “The Danish Girl,” “Florence and the Uffizi Gallery,” “Heart of a Dog,” “Janis: Little Girl Blue,” “Life,” “Manet – Portraying Life,” “Mustang,” “No Place on Earth,” “Rembrandt,” “Son of Saul,” “Spotlight,” “Theeb,” “Trumbo,” “Where to Invade Next” and “Youth.”

What a terrific list. There are so many great foreign, independent and art films out there.

A new feature of this festival is that we will be giving you more opportunities to see these festival movies. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the noon and 2 p.m. show times, we will be showing festival films in two theaters. So for example, on Monday, April 4, you will have the choice of seeing “Life” or “Brooklyn” at noon and “Youth” or “Florence and the Uffizi Gallery” at 2:30 p.m. More show times has always been a request of patrons during festival, so now hopefully you will be able to see all of the films you would like to see.

We will also present a special movie event during the festival. We will show the incredible Holocaust survivor story “No Place on Earth” at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 and one of the filmmakers Chris Nicola will be there to introduce the film and do a Q & A following its showing. Can you believe our good fortune?

The documentary “No Place on Earth” tells the true story of groups of families who sought asylum underground to evade being caught by Nazis in 1942. They remained hidden underground for nearly 18 months. Their story was uncovered by accident by cave explorer Chris Nicola. Through research, Nicola located a few of the survivors and had them share their amazing story of strength. Tickets to this movie event are $8.50 each and advance tickets can be purchased by calling the Dietrich at 570-996-1500.

The Dietrich will also be hosting a special movie event this weekend. See “David Zeisberger, Apostle Among Indians” for free at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13. This movie is about the life and work of David Zeisberger, Moravian missionary, and his work to help Christianized Indians in Pennsylvania. Come see how Zeisberger’s influence extended to communities close to us.

The movie will be followed by a discussion with Katherine Faull, Bucknell University’s Comparative Humanities Program professor and Moravian Scholar, and Craig Atwood, Professor at the Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem and Director of the Center for Moravian Studies. For more information or advance tickets, call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500. Tickets will also be available at the door.

As you can see, the Dietrich is so much more than the movies!

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More Than Movies

Erica Rogler

Reach the Abington Journal newsroom at 570-587-1148 or news@s24528.p831.sites.pressdns.com.