Film Society curator receives Women In The Arts Award

Atlantic City Free Public Library Film Society Curator Theresa Hawkins was honored for her contributions to the local arts scene Sunday, March 26, at Noyes Arts Garage of Atlantic City. Media personality and artist Raymond Tyler presented Hawkins and others with a Women In The Arts Award at the monthly Black Art Matters program that he curates.

“Being given the Women In The Arts Award is a tremendous honor for me because it represents the acknowledgment of the Atlantic City Public Library Film Society's 16 years and counting as a viable and artistic, ongoing program in the area,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Film Production at Hunter College (NY), founded the Film Society in 2006. She has led Film Society programs twice a month at the Main Library. The first meeting is to watch a movie and discuss it. The second meeting is a classroom session about filmmaking and other topics related to the film watched days earlier.

The Film Society has had more than 200 film screenings and class topics since its inception – and there have been many special programs along the way. In addition to holding anniversary celebrations and making trips to local theaters, the Film Society has been treated to visits by special guests – both in person and virtually. Those guests have included: Gary Springer, entertainment publicist and head of New York City-based Springer Associates PR; Ed McGinty, an actor and historical consultant for HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”; Diane Raver, founder of the Garden State Film Festival; actors Brian Dennehy and Alec Baldwin; director Jacob T. Swinney; singer Todd Carey and film scholar Tico Romao. Actors Brian Cox and his wife, Nicole Ansari-Cox, even made a surprise virtual appearance to wish the Film Society a happy anniversary.

“For more than 15 years, Theresa Hawkins has made the experience of watching film much more than a hearing and seeing event,” Tyler said. “The A.C. (Library) Film Society, under her vision, makes film an interactive exchange between the filmmakers and the audience. There is nowhere between A.C. and Philly or New York that regularly brings screenwriters, directors and Academy Award-winning actors and other staff to our community. Theresa Hawkins has done this with an admission price of a (free) registration and a library card.”

Adult Atlantic City Free Public Library members in good standing are invited to join the Film Society. Please email thawki(at)acfpl.org or visit the Film Society page for more information. Also, follow the Film Society on Twitter and Letterboxd.

“Anyone 18 years of age or older who loves films should join the Film Society,” Hawkins said. “All you need is a valid ACFPL library card and a passion for movies.”