There were so many great films shown at the Dietrich Theater’s Fall Film Festival, which wrapped up last week. I think my favorites were “Captain Fantastic,” “The Innocents” and “The Messenger.” Do check them out if you get a chance. We would like to thank all of our business and individual sponsors for making the fall festival possible.

This weekend the Dietrich will serve as one of the venues for another film festival, the first-ever Belin Film Festival.

This festival will showcase films written, produced and directed by independent and emerging filmmakers from around the world, as well as right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We receive a few calls a month from local filmmakers who would like to show their works on screen, and this festival is a perfect opportunity for filmmakers to get their works out there.

The Dietrich will play a block of shorts from 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, and then at 3 p.m., audience members will have the opportunity to see Chris Fetchko’s new film “All In Time.” This movie tells a story about a man who quits his job and moves from New York to Pennsylvania to manage his favorite hometown rock band. It is set in Wilkes-Barre, so there will be lots of locations in the movie we will recognize.

We are very excited to be the venue where the Belin Film Festival is showing Chris’ latest film because we have some history with him. When his film “Everything’s Jake” was released in 2007, he chose to screen it at the Dietrich. That evening he introduced the movie and stayed for a Q&A session with one of the film’s stars, Ernie Hudson. Neat, right? It was a fantastic evening and we can’t wait to touch base with Chris again.

Then on Sunday, the Belin Film Festival will continue at the Dietrich with a 1 p.m. showing of “PlayMe Burlesque.”

For more information about the Belin Film Festival, visit belinfestival.com.

The Dietrich will also present its second screening of National Theatre Live’s “One Man, Two Guvnors” at 2 p.m. this Sunday. I can’t wait to see it. I love British comedies and I’ve heard James Corden is a hoot in the lead role. Tickets will be available at the door or can be reserved by calling 570-996-1500.

In addition to independent films and theatre, the Dietrich will present a local history talk next week. Join us at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, as Dr. Sheldon Spear shares with us “Notable Writers of Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

When Spear first brought this idea to us, I could only think of one local writer, Jason Miller, but there are so many more, including John O’Hara, Herman Mankiewicz, Frank Ward O’Malley and Zelda Popkin, to name a few. It will be so interesting to learn about their literary contributions.

Admission is free and reservations can be made by calling 570-996-1500. Tickets will be available at the door while they last.

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.