The Cinema Art Theater operated by the Rehoboth Beach Film Society sits tucked behind a Wawa convenience store in Lewes, where it has developed a reputation for sophisticated programming that draws both locals and visitors to Sussex County. Programmer Shelby Cooke, who joined the organization in January, told Delaware Today that she has focused on understanding audience preferences while introducing more adventurous selections throughout the year. Cooke added that the two-screen venue creates an intimate setting suited to deeper engagement with cinema beyond standard viewings.
Delaware Today reported that Cooke has achieved what she described as a balance between crowd-pleasing titles and more demanding material. “I think I found a good balance of the feel-good, happy, entertaining movies, while also bringing in some more challenging films,” Cooke said. The theater’s limited screens have encouraged staff to organize special events including introductions, question-and-answer sessions and discussion groups modeled after book clubs, according to the publication.
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society presents a range of specialized events at the Cinema Art Theater including the Pride Film Festival, Jewish Film Festival and Black American Film Festival each spring. Additional offerings encompass live transmissions such as The Met: Live in HD from the Metropolitan Opera and National Theatre Live productions from London. The venue also schedules themed programming like Bleak Week, which focuses on films with particularly somber narratives.
Next month the theater will serve as a primary venue for the Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival scheduled from November 1 to 8. Now in its 28th year, the festival will feature 113 films from more than 32 countries including international features, documentaries, shorts and student works, according to the festival’s official site. Opening night will screen the biographical drama “Jimmy” about actor Jimmy Stewart with cast member Jen Lilley scheduled to attend.
Founded in 1998 as a nonprofit, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society opened the Cinema Art Theater in 2016 and remains the only arthouse cinema in Sussex County. The organization celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023 and has expanded its year-round schedule of independent films, documentaries and international releases shown Wednesday through Sunday. Additional accessibility measures include Captioned Thursdays for all screenings on that day of the week.
Festival activities will take place at multiple locations including the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware and the Lewes Public Library alongside the Cinema Art Theater. The event hub is set at the Hyatt House Lewes/Rehoboth Beach, where passes and individual tickets remain available for purchase. Organizers have emphasized opportunities for audience conversations with industry guests during the eight-day program.
