Cinema Center screens Oscar-nominated shorts

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – With the 94th Academy Awards less than two weeks away, the Fort Wayne Cinema Center is curating its content – making some of the less accessible films available to everyone.

While most Oscar-nominated movies are available through streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+, footage featured in the less popular shorts categories (live action and animation) can be found on nonprofits. the next two weekends.

“I think it’s amazing that we’re able to bring something so huge,” Cinema Center curator Cambry Hicks said, “and kind of acclaim everywhere — in Fort Wayne, where maybe people couldn’t see those types of things.”

“At the end of the day, it’s to celebrate, honestly, the 94th annual Oscar-winning films that are award-winning — and deserve it,” he added.

One ticket includes screenings of each nominated film in the Animated Shorts or Live Action Shorts categories, lasting between 93 and 117 minutes. The screening dates are March 19, 25 and 26.

The Cinema Center opened late last year, closing during the pandemic for about 20 months. Although it was a scary time for much of the movie industry, executive director Art Herbig says they remained unscathed. “We’re still here now, thanks to the people who support us,” he told us. “We’re very fortunate to have partnerships like the Community Foundation, the Foellinger Foundation and Lincoln Financial and all of these groups that make sure the Cinema Center stays because they think we matter.”

The building occupied by art and essays has also been renovated. Herbig said being closed for so long has given them time to plan new things for the future. “I remember the years when the Cinema Center talked about struggles and frustrations…and we don’t have those conversations anymore! Now it’s all about “what’s next?”

The Hobnobben Film Festival, a fundraiser for the Cinema Center, is accepting film entries through May, gearing up for its 7th year. For the past two years, the annual film festival has been held at the Embassy Theatre. This year it will be held at the Cinema Center from October 13-16.

Copyright 2022 WPTA. All rights reserved.