Picture House Receives $375,000 Pledge for Film Education Institute From Matthew S. Hisiger Film Foundation

The Picture House announced that Dale and Jamie Hisiger of Armonk, NY have made a fiveyear capital pledge of $375,000 to support the building of the Picture House’s Film Education Institute and will name it after their son, Matthew S. Hisiger.

The pledge, announced on June 17 at the preview screening of Chéri starring Michele Pfeiffer, will support the first phase of The Picture House’s current capital campaign.

This donation represents the family’s expanded level of commitment to film education and visual literacy since the establishment of The Matthew S. Hisiger Film Foundation in September 1999.

“Matthew’s passion around film and the industry inspired the mission of the Foundation,” said Dale Hisiger, in making the announcement. “We have spent the past ten years creating a setting for young people to discover their creativity and learn how they can be part of the filmmaking process. The Picture House’s mission, so closely aligned with ours, presented the natural next step to widen the scope of our film education initiatives and to bring them to a broad set of communities and young adults. We could not be more excited about this partnership.”

Jennifer Christman, executive director of the Picture House, added: “This endowment proves that people are still giving to organizations and causes for which they have a strong affinity. Dale and Jamie are passionate about film education. Dale has joined our (Picture House) Board as Education Chair. She is engaged, positive, and a delight to work with. She is already playing a leadership role in Picture House film education strategy and planning.”

The Picture House is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to transforming the 1921 Pelham Picture House at 175 Wolfs Lane into an independent film and education center that will serve a diverse region of more than one million.

The Matthew S. Hisiger Film Foundation, is a not for profit organization dedicated to nurturing high school students who have an interest in filmmaking, screenwriting and videography. Its web site is www.mshff.org.

This is part of the June 26, 2009 online edition of The Pelham Weekly.

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