In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, FOLCS was one of the first organizations of its kind to transition from programming live events for a New York City audience to virtual events for a global audience.
FOLCS focused its event initiatives around showcasing new content in the arts that had been impacted by the pandemic. We hosted authors whose book tours had been postponed, giving them the chance to discuss new releases. We brought our Film Series online, partnering with production companies and film distributors to bring exclusive advance screenings to our audience, followed by post-screening discussions with members of the films’ creative teams. Working closely with distributors, FOLCS pioneered this initiative of offering secure and private online screenings, widely promoting new films with a unique theatrical release.
We also proudly announced a new FOLCS event series, Conversations on Essential Cinema: A Virtual Film Club, providing entertaining commentary on classic arthouse films. Audiences are given the opportunity to watch a classic movie and then hear a special guest discuss the film in an online Conversation. Films and guests have included The Pawnbroker with Professor of Film at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, Annette Insdorf; 12 Angry Men with actor, Matthew Modine; The Graduate with actor, William Fichtner; Doctor Zhivago with actress, Margarita Levieva; Casablanca with actress, Sharon Stone; and The Great Dictator with comedy writer, Alan Zweibel. This series is proudly co-produced with the New York Film Academy.
We also launched the FOLCS Blog which serves as a space for commentary on films, documentaries, television series, podcasts, and everything else cultural and relevant. It is a way for contributors to bring to the public new ideas and fresh perspectives, and to keep our audience engaged between events.
FOLCS is here for your at home entertainment needs. Stay up to date with us as we continue to bring new and entertaining content, available to the public for free during this time, as a public service.
FOLCS is dedicated to keeping you entertained while sheltering at home, now more than ever. All of our virtual programming and digital content is free of charge and available to the public. If you enjoy our programming, please consider making a donation, as the arts and entertainment industry has been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. If ever there was a time to support your favorite cultural organization, it’s now. No amount is too small!