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And the Oscar goes to…the BMFI

The Bryn Mawr Film Institute didn’t have a red carpet or a room full of stars, but that didn’t stop its members from celebrating the 83rd annual Academy Awards in style Feb. 27.

The institute, a non-profit community theater located on Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr, opened the doors of the Bryn Mawr Theater to members and guests for its third annual Oscar simulcast. A pair of musicians and a 6-foot ice carving of Oscar himself greeted arriving patrons, who were encouraged to dress in their finest.

Guests paid $65 for tickets, which included a buffet dinner catered by JPM Catering and La Colombe Coffee, as well as a chance to watch the Academy Awards on the big screen.

Throughout the evening, patrons had a chance to bid in a silent auction for dozens of donated items, including gift certificates, vacations and artwork.

“This is the biggest party we’ve had,” said Juliet J. Goodfriend, president and CEO of the BMFI. “Every year it grows by about 50 [people], and we have about 225 here tonight.”

But the Bryn Mawr Theater was not always so prosperous.

Prior to Goodfriend’s founding of the BMFI in 2002, there were plans to convert the 85-year-old theater into an L.A. Fitness franchise. Nine years later, the establishment has the highest perscreen revenues of any theater in the region, Goodfriend said.

Dr. Andrew J. Douglas, director of education at the BMFI, said the institution’s success is because of Goodfriend’s ideas, vision, and persistence. As a result, the BMFI is now the largest membersupported film institute in the country, with more than 6,500 members.

“Six of the 10 best picture nominees [of 2011] showed here,” Douglas said.

“That’s not bad for a little independent theater and film institute.”

After the Bryn Mawr Theater went bankrupt in 2001 because of the popularity of multiplex theaters, Goodfriend began her campaign to restore the building and create the BMFI.

This revitalization earned Goodfriend the Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania award in 2009, presented to her by then Gov. Edward G. Rendell and First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell.

“We teach thousands of adults and children each year,” She said. “[they learn about] film studies, film appreciation, and film making.”

Goodfriend added that movies like this year’s best picture winner “The King’s Speech” have immeasurably helped to increase revenue, making distributers eager to have their films shown at the BMFI.

Throughout the evening, patrons filled out Oscar ballots provided at the door, wagering on who would win each category, while Douglas provided colorful commentary during the broadcast’s commercial breaks.

“If you haven’t seen ‘Toy Story 3,’ it really is an exceptional movie,” Douglas said. “My understanding is that it is one of the rare movies where men cry during the movie more than women. I think it has something to do with men’s’ relationship to their toys.”

Guests discussed their favorite films as they enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, dinner, desert and coffee.

“I really enjoyed ‘Black Swan,’” said Dr. Della S. Grossman, a clinical and forensic psychologist. “ It had such a realistic masturbation scene!”

Towards the end of the evening, results from the silent auction were posted in the lobby. Both staff and guests hailed the evening as a success.

All proceeds from the evening benefit the BMFI, whose mission is “to strengthen our community by providing the opportunity for diverse segments to meet, learn, share ideas, and develop talents and understanding through the catalyst of film.”

“It was a great night,” said Lorraine Harrenkohl, a local member. “I had a great time. I love movies, and I have to tell you, this is a wonderful environment to see a movie in.”

Contact Joseph Van Dusen at communitarian@mail.dccc.edu

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