So, what’s ahead for the organiza-
tion? The nonprofit is on solid finan-
cial footing, having recently made the
last payment on the nearly $3 million
loan needed for the renovation and
retrofitting of its LEED-certified
building. The name plates bearing
the names of local donors through-
out the space attest to how that was
accomplished; the building itself
was donated by Investors Bank.
“We’re debt-free and it’s very
exciting,” says Feinberg. “Doing this
building was a tremendous lift for
what was then and still is a young
nonprofit.”
Yet the very success of the pro-
gram means that Montclair Film
has already outgrown the building.
In the nonprofit’s strategic plan, a
long-term goal is to “expand infra-
structure and operational footprint.”
“It’s really for the classes that this
space is a challenge,” says Colbert.
“They’re very inventive about it; we
have a sofa over there that’s a back-
drop for scenes. But when you’re
actually shooting, you need more
space. Sometimes they go upstairs
and there’s a screening happening.”
The 65-seat movie theater and
education areas are also rented
out for outside groups, providing
vital revenue but also limiting the
available space.
“When we’re not showing films
we rent the cinema out,” says
Feinberg. “The seats are removable.
We’ve had bar mitzvahs, birthday
parties, memorial services. WOR
comes in once a month to tape a
talk show. The Montclair podcast,
Podclair, uses our storytelling
studio.”
Feinberg and Colbert admit they
are thinking about a new build-
ing, but, in typical fashion, they are
embracing Montclair Film’s latest
challenge with open arms.
“The fun thing about a film
festival is not only do you reprogram
the festival every year, you’re always
looking to be creative and respon-
sive,” says Colbert. “We don’t
want to keep doing the same
old thing.” ■
REUBEN ATLAS
LIVES IN: Montclair
CONNECTIONS TO
MONTCLAIR/NEW JERSEY:
He grew up in and recently
returned to Montclair, “one of
the greatest places in the world
to be raised.”
AS A MONTCLAIR FILM
INSTRUCTOR: Teaches Reel
World Filmmaking at the
Summer Academy
MOST MEMORABLE
MOMENTS: Working with
students last summer to create
a film about Jazz House Kids.
RYAN D. MOORE
LIVES IN: Middletown, N.J.
CONNECTIONS TO MONTCLAIR/NEW JERSEY: He earned
his undergraduate degree at Montclair State University,
and teaches film studies and screenwriting at several New
Jersey colleges and universities, including Fairleigh Dickenson
University. Besides teaching at Montclair Film, he volunteers
on the screening committee and as a Story Slam judge, and
films In Conversation events.
AS A MONTCLAIR FILM INSTRUCTOR: Teaches middle
school filmmaking and middle school screenwriting at the
Summer Academy
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS: “The highlight of my
teaching experience has to be reading my student’s finished
screenplays the final day of class,” he says. “Some students
start class without any previous experience and leave class
with a finished, polished screenplay.”
MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE MAY 2019
31