Ever since 1972, when Steve and DeDe Leiber opened the original Upstate Films in the Starr Building in downtown Rhinebeck, the not-for-profit organization has been diversifying the array of cinematic choices available to mid-Hudsonites with regular screenings of independent, foreign and classic movies, documentaries and animation. And now it’s got a brand-new venue in a surprising, small-scale location in a busy urban neighborhood.
Upstate’s viewing spaces have expanded over time: A second screen was added at the Starr Cinema in 1999. Woodstock’s Tinker Street Cinema was part of the Upstate Films family from 2010 to 2020. Under new owners Paul Sturtz and Jason Silverman after the Leibers retired, Upstate acquired and reopened the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties in 2021. A traveling version with a portable projector and inflatable screen, called the Hudson Valley Picture Show, was even launched during the COVID pandemic to bring movies to local audiences at outdoor spaces.
But in the middle of that triangle of venues has long lurked a significant void. Although there’s a big commercial multiplex at the Hudson Valley Mall in the adjoining town of Ulster, the city of Kingston has not had a regularly operating movie theater since May of 1978. “As far as we can tell, that’s when the final film FM was shown at what was called the Community Theatre,” notes Sturtz. “It was owned by the Walter Reade Organization, which ran around 40 theaters in New York and New Jersey… The 601 Broadway building was empty for nearly 25 years and was almost demolished. Fortunately, it became UPAC in 2002.”
Like the Bardavon, its sister venue in Poughkeepsie, the Ulster Performing Arts Center does occasionally show classic, family-friendly movies on the big screen for free. And the city of Kingston’s Department of Parks and Recreation offers a series of free screenings in various parks each summer. But for the most part, Kingstonians have for decades had to venture outside the city limits to enjoy a group cinematic experience on a regular basis. Beginning this weekend, we’re delighted to report, that’s about to change with the grand opening of Upstate Midtown.
With a mission to create “a flexible, community-friendly gathering space, accessible to all” in Midtown Kingston, Sturtz and Upstate Films co-director Jason Silverman have transformed a former barbershop at 591 Broadway – just two doors south of UPAC – into an intimate 42-seat screening venue. “The building is owned by Morgan Coy, best known for co-founding Tubby’s and leasing his building to West Kill Brewing across the street,” Sturtz explains. “The barbershop that was located at 591 Broadway was called 1777 Fire Barbering and Salon. Prior to that it was known as First Capitol Barber Salon; before that, the Abundant Life Tabernacle. That is now further down Broadway near City Hall.”
In a press release announcing the venture, the new tenants have expressed their “intention… to build the small venue into an indispensable space that will serve the neighborhood, which has a rich history, a diverse population and a vibrant arts, culture and restaurant scene.” To make this happen, Upstate Films is partnering with a “family” of community cultural organizations active in the Midtown Arts District scene, who will also be using the new venue to present their own public events. So far, these include the Kingston Film Foundation, Hudsy, the Center for Continuing Education, D.R.A.W., the Woodstock Film Festival and Radio Kingston.
Upstate Midtown will be unveiled to the public for the first time this Friday, Sept. 19, with a 4:30 p.m. “sneak peek” of the latest offering by Raoul Peck, the Oscar-nominated director of the acclaimed documentary I Am Not Your Negro (2016). Peck’s new film is titled Orwell: 2+2=5. It will be shown again at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Other films screening this weekend at Upstate Midtown include another “sneak peek,” A Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and 5:15 p.m. on Sunday. Linda Linda Linda, a joyous Japanese film, rarely seen in the U.S., celebrating a teenage girls’ band, will be shown at 9:30 p.m. on Friday and 8:45 p.m. on Saturday.
The Sunday evening spot at 7:30 p.m. is reserved for a presentation by the Kingston Film Foundation of one of Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar’s early works, All About My Mother, which won the 1999 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It’s the kickoff for a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month that will continue on Wednesday, Sept. 24, with a 6 p.m. reception and a 7 p.m. screening of the Almodóvar classic, plus additional festivities at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, when Hudsy presents This Organic Life: The Meat Wagon, Munay Wasi and Olympic Dreams, with director Angel Gates Fonseca in person. Also on Thursday, there will be an 8:45 p.m. show of One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest opus.
Ticket prices are $7 for Upstate Films members, students and current/former military; $11 general admission. Tickets can be purchased at www.upstatefilms.org, where you can also find out what will be coming to Upstate Midtown in the weeks to come.
Join the family! 
