WTCI announces a partnership with the Chattanooga Film Festival to present a free monthly film screening series. Beginning on Sept. 14, WTCI will host these screenings on the second Thursday of each month, inviting the public to enjoy the wide variety of programming provided by WTCI, the Tennessee Valley’s community PBS station.
Sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union and Brody Jewelers, “PBS at the Palace” will premiere on Thursday, Sept.
14, at the Palace Picture House in the Tomorrow Building at 818 Georgia Avenue in downtown Chattanooga. The debut event will feature the season premiere of an exciting MASTERPIECE drama followed by a 20-minute preview of the much-awaited VIETNAM series from the legendary filmmaker Ken Burns.
The Palace Picture House will open concessions at 6 p.m. for each screening with beer, wine and snacks available for purchase during a mixer before the 7 p.m. feature presentation in the unique, restored space. “"To us there are few things as magic and sacred as the experience of watching a great film or piece of programming with an equally great audience. This is how films really come alive, and why we think movie-going is a tradition like PBS—worth fighting for and preserving." says Chris Dortch, Palace Picture House director. “We are thrilled with this opportunity to partner with WTCI to offer Chattanoogans these quality experiences.” The screen is nine feet tall and 16 feet wide in this beautifully-restored film house, an ideal setting for WTCI’s members and guests to enjoy their favorite programs from PBS and beyond, celebrating public media and its vital role in providing quality, trusted programming that educates, engages and inspires a lifetime of learning and exploration.
Community PBS stations like WTCI rely on support from members for over 50% of annual operating budgets. WTCI Passport members, sustaining members who contribute small monthly amounts, receive online access to local and national PBS programming, subscriptions to the bi-monthly VIEWFINDER program guide and to the Chattanooga Magazine. This new event series offers WTCI the opportunity to reward these vital donors with another member benefit, priority reservation and seating at this exciting new community event series.
Members of WTCI can register for the debut screening online (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pbs-at-the-palace-presents-special-masterpiece-season-premiere-vietnam-preview-tickets-34824756785) and people interested in membership and member benefits can contact Director of Donor Services, Lisa McDowd, at 423-702-7819 or lmcdowd@wtciTV.org.
Richard Johnson, vice president of Development at WTCI, said “Our members are at the heart of the station’s mission and this opportunity to add an event series to our benefits is exciting. We’re looking forward to sharing great experiences with Chattanooga and our partners at the Palace Picture House.”