Independent Film Series at the Doctorow Center for the Arts

Experience bold, independent cinema in the heart of the Catskills. Curated by film and theater veteran Caitlin McColl and supported by the Catskill Mountain Foundation, this monthly film screening series at the Doctorow Center features locally themed and locally made films, each followed by insightful live Q&As. From intimate documentaries to powerful narratives, every third Thursday is a celebration of creativity, community, and conversation.

The Story Behind the Film Series

After successfully collaborating with the Catskill Mountain Foundation on film events and festivals over the past two years, I’ve been fortunate to now curate a monthly independent film series at the Doctorow Center for the Arts, which takes place on the third Thursday of each month. This pay-what-you-can event is generously sponsored by the Foundation, and each screening features locally-themed fare (or films made by local creators), followed by a live Q&A with a member of the film’s production team.

Highlights from the Independent Film Series 2025 Season

Director Jamie Kennard speaks at the screening of Variable in January

January – Variable by Jamie Kennard

January featured a stunning, sold-out event showcasing the film Variable, directed by the talented local multi-hyphenate Jamie Kennard. At the screening, Jamie spoke about the 10-year experience of backcountry skiing all of the Adirondack 46ers with his brother—completing all 81 of the classic high peaks of the Catskills and Adirondacks. During the post-film talkback, we also heard about his process of making and editing the film, and how a decade of footage was transformed into a moving 24-minute film that highlighted both struggle and triumph. Jamie has had a packed screening schedule across the country this winter, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he does next!

February – Beautiful Darling with James Rasin

In February, we showed the film Beautiful Darling, with accomplished director and writer James Rasin in attendance. Beautiful Darling is an intimate portrait of friendship, filled with exclusive interviews and footage from NYC in the ’60s and ’70s. It focuses on the life of pioneering trans actress Candy Darling. While I had selected the film in late 2024, I couldn’t have anticipated how resonant it would feel just a week after news broke that “LGBTQ” had been shortened to “LGB” on some government agency websites. At a high level, watching Beautiful Darling at that moment felt like a re-affirmation of Candy Darling’s existence—and that of the trans community. At the same time, I was struck by how Candy seemed unaware of the historical significance of her role, living her life while searching for love and joy. The film is wryly narrated by actress Chloë Sevigny and offers a powerful look at Candy’s story through the lens of time. Director James Rasin gave a heartfelt talkback about his personal connection to Candy’s friend Jeremiah, the throughline of the film, as it depicts his journey to bury Candy’s ashes in Cherry Valley, NY.

March – Good One and a Talk with Graham Mason

In March, the film Good One took over the theater, and we were treated to this 2024 release, which was filmed in Upstate New York. Director India Donaldson chose our region for its naturalistic backdrop, portraying a family camping trip in which a young woman on the cusp of adulthood is invalidated by the authority figures around her during a pivotal moment. To say more would spoil the film’s impact, but on the night of the screening, the room was filled with murmurs of recognition. The story charts the main character’s self-reliance and evolution over the course of the trip. The performances—especially in close-up—reverberated from the screen, quietly powerful and deeply affecting. Much of the credit for the film’s timing and subtle humor goes to editor Graham Mason, who graciously joined us via Zoom to discuss his process and his role as a producer. Graham is also a talented filmmaker, producer, and artist based in Brooklyn, with work featured on platforms including Adult Swim, Viceland, and IFC.

Shipmaster Sam Merrett in a scene from Windshipped.

April – Windshipped with Jon Bowermaster and Todd Spire

On April 17, as a nod to Earth Day, we screened the documentary Windshipped, with director and author Jon Bowermaster joining us. A six-time grantee of the National Geographic Society, Jon was accompanied by local Catskills veteran fly fisherman and conservationist Todd Spire—making for a dynamic conversation between two regional experts. The film followed the Apollonia, a cargo ship powered solely by wind and sun as it traveled up and down the Hudson River, and featured interviews with its crew. The screening felt especially timely, as tariffs dominated the headlines. Windshipped raised important questions about where our goods come from, the human cost of express delivery, and how we can support local economies through community effort and mindfulness.

May – Here Come the Videofreex with Jenny Raskin and Jon Nealon

On May 15, we’ll show Here Come the Videofreex, and we’re thrilled to be joined by directors Jenny Raskin and Jon Nealon. In 1969, a group of young people—self-named the Videofreex—were hired by CBS to capture American counterculture on film. Their work includes rare and haunting interviews at Woodstock (‘69), with Abbie Hoffman, and with Black Panther Fred Hampton just months before his murder. CBS ultimately fired the group, but they smuggled their video equipment out and moved to a farmhouse in Lanesville, NY, where they created the country’s first pirate television station. Their work laid the foundation for public broadcasting and radical, homegrown media. Discovering that this group was part of our local history was astonishing—and having the creative team join us will be an extraordinary treat.

June – The Dancing Man – Peg Leg Bates

On June 19, we’ll spotlight The Dancing Man – Peg Leg Bates, with award-winning Director Dave Davidson and Co-Producer Amber Edwards joining us in person. This documentary tells a story of resilience: in 1919, 12-year-old Clayton Bates lost his leg in an auger accident. He went on to become an international jazz star, combat racism, and open an all-Black resort in the Catskills during segregation. Join us for what promises to be an evening of inspiration and tribute to an important local icon of the arts.

July – I Like It Here by Ralph Arlyck

Finally, on July 17, we’re honored to screen I Like It Here, with Director Ralph Arlyck in attendance. Ralph is a leading figure in American independent documentary filmmaking. His film has been described as “part memoir, part personal essay on aging and mortality, [and] part portrait of his community and home in the Hudson Valley” (The New York Times). I can’t think of a better film to close the first half of this year’s series.

Join the Conversation

If you have questions or film suggestions, feel free to reach out at independentfilm@catskillmtn.org. You can also reserve tickets to the Independent Film Series and check out upcoming films online. Thanks for supporting the series and the incredible work of the Catskill Mountain Foundation!

—Caitlin McColl