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ArtPort Kingston x Cellar Door Cinema Club

SUMMER FILM SERIES

Image from SUMMER FILM SERIES 2025 screening of We Can Be Heroes, directed by Carina Mia Wong and Alex Simmonds.

 

ArtPort Kingston’s Summer Film Series is dedicated to local films and filmmakers, and to serving our community with inspiring, welcoming and fun public cinema events in outdoor settings! 

These events are made possible with our co-producers, Cellar Door Cinema Club and Radio Kingston, and generous local sponsorship.

For more information or to get involved, please reach out to info@artportkingston.org and follow us on Instagram at @artportkingston.  

2026 Summer Film Festival

2026 SUMMER FILM SERIES: ArtPort Kingston and Cellar Door Cinema Club present:

KEEP IT LOCAL FILM FESTIVAL


August 20, 21 & 22, 2026
7:00–10:30 PM | Films begin approximately 8 PM
ArtYard Kingston | 80 Smith Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401

Three nights of local film, community, and outdoor cinema return to Kingston August 20–22

Now in its fourth year, the Summer Film Series celebrates the creativity of filmmakers from the Hudson Valley and surrounding region while creating an accessible, welcoming space for the community to experience cinema together. The series is co-produced by ArtPort Kingston and Cellar Door Cinema Club, with community technical support from Radio Kingston.

Over three evenings, the festival will showcase a diverse selection of films by emerging local and regional filmmakers. Thursday, August 20 features eight filmmakers; Friday, August 21 presents one feature film and two shorts; and Saturday, August 22 showcases work by nine filmmakers. The program was selected through an open call inviting regional filmmakers to submit their work.

Screenings take place outdoors in ArtYard Kingston, ArtPort Kingston’s creative courtyard in Kingston’s Midtown neighborhood. Doors open at 7 PM (pre film hang out and some lite food), with films beginning around 8 PM, followed each evening by a moderated Q&A with the filmmakers. (Bring your own chair or blanket if you would like)!

Admission is $5-$10 (suggested donation-based). Guests can enjoy unique concessions while gathering with filmmakers, artists, neighbors, and visitors for three summer evenings of film and conversation.

Keep It Local reflects the spirit of the series: celebrating the remarkable filmmaking happening close to home and giving local artists a platform to share their stories with their community.

A Selection of Screened Films

 

We so much appreciate the generous support from our Sponsors:

And our individual supporters, Allan Hirsch, Maya Ziv, Roy Graham and Marcos Stafne

2025 Summer Film Series

Emerging Hudson Valley Filmmakers

When: July 12 | 7-10 PM

Where: ArtPort Kingston, 80 Smith Ave

What: For this second edition, ArtPort Kingston will screen a selection of short films from emerging Hudson Valley filmmakers. The program was developed in collaboration with Hudson Valley filmmaker and programmer Jack Warren.

The approximately 60-minute screening will run from 8:30 - 9:30PM and be followed by a short moderated and audience Q&A session with participating filmmakers. We recommend arriving early to chat and network among Kingston’s creative community and enjoy classic movie concessions and drinks provided by ArtPort Kingston!

Produced with technical support from Radio Kingston and a generous array of local sponsors.

RSVP on Eventbrite | Add the event to your calendar

We Can Be Heroes / Artemis

The series will begin with a screening on JUNE 29 (UPDATED DATE) of We Can Be Heroes, the award-winning 2024 documentary about The Wayfinder Experience directed by Alex Simmons and Carina Mia Wong. The feature film will be preceded by a screening of Artemis a narrative short film by Jack Warren.

The screening is co-hosted by The Wayfinder Experience.

Join Wayfinder for a tour of their production space + office as well as a magical procession to the event! Wayfinder will provide costumes, make up, and lanterns as we create the fantastical world we work so hard to inhabit on the walk from Wayfinder's office to ArtPort Kingston (a roughly ten minute walk). We look forward to seeing you!

OPEN CALL

When: June 28 + July 12 + August 23 | 7-10PM 

Where: ArtYard Kingston | 80 Smith Ave, Kingston NY 12401 

ArtPort Kingston’s Summer Film Series returns in 2025 with monthly outdoor screenings from June through August, co-produced by Cellar Door Cinema Club and supported by Radio Kingston. The series kicks off on June 28 with We Can Be Heroes, followed by two Emerging Hudson Valley Filmmaker events on July 12 and August 23, showcasing short films by local creators. Regional filmmakers are invited to submit their work for consideration through an open call, with submissions juried by local filmmaker and programmer Jack Warren. All events are donation-based, include filmmaker Q&As, and take place at ArtYard Kingston in Midtown Kingston.

THE 2025 SERIES IS SUPPORTED BY:

IN RETROSPECT: 2024 SUMMER FILM SERIES