Patrick Schweiss said it’s difficult to explain the sadness he feels seeing the Mary D. Fisher Theatre sit empty night after night.
And while the director of the Sedona International Film Festival knows there’s a good reason behind it and that the theater will open again, it hasn’t been easy.
“I come in to the office every day and it is like a ghost town over here,” Schweiss said, noting the rest of the staff is working remotely. “I miss our members, patrons, staff and volunteers so much. I can’t wait until we are all open again. It is such a magical place where people gather, converse and enjoy great film and great culture together.”
Even though the theater is closed, that doesn’t mean that it’s not entertaining loyal moviegoers. SIFF is currently offering MDF@Home in which it partnered with distributors to bring a bit of the Mary D. Fisher Theatre experience to one’s home. In addition, SIFF has been sending out a short film every day at 1 p.m. to its members to watch thanks to the generosity of dozens of filmmakers who have allowed them to do so.
“We realize this is a very tough time for people being self-isolated and social distancing,” Schweiss said. “We also realize that people need art, culture and entertainment in their lives — perhaps now more than ever — so we thought, ‘let’s bring a bit of the magic of the Mary D. Fisher Theatre to you at home.’”
As a way of doing that, it is offering films and other cultural events to keep people “entertained, enlightened and engaged during this unprecedented and unpredictable time,” Shweiss said.
“We hope we are able to bring a bit of joy and happiness to people at a time when we all so desperately need it,” he added. “Even if it is for an hour or two each day, anything helps.”
In terms of the public’s feedback on what the theater is offering, Schweiss said it’s been “phenomenal.” In fact, they’re getting emails and messages daily thanking them for everything.
“People are missing our theater very much, and this is giving them a bit of our festival and the theater right in their home,” he said. “They are so complimentary and gracious and grateful that we are offering them a respite from the pandemic and being sheltered at home.
“It has been truly magical and heartwarming to read peoples’ comments and thanks. We are blessed to have an incredibly supportive and generous member and patron base, and they are appreciating all the programs we are giving them access to during this time.”
For more on MDF@Home, visit SedonaFilmFestival.org and click on the MDF@Home link under the Events tab on the home page or directly at SedonaFilmFestival.com/mdfhome for links to order virtual screenings of any of the films. A portion of all sales will benefit the Mary D. Fisher Theatre and Sedona International Film Festival.
