Close Up is our new quarterly place to show you behind the scenes and share exciting news about what is happening at the theater.

Thanks to support from dedicated film lovers like you, we are on our way to making vital upgrades to our outdated digital projection equipment. We have raised the funds needed to replace our older digital projectors with new 4K projectors. We stand by our mission of bringing you a curated blend of films, while maintaining the highest possible presentation standards.

The Road AheadUpon the replacement of the digital projectors, we will raise funds to revitalize our 35mm/16mm film projectors. We will share more info on this project soon. Your contributions will enable us to keep the art of film projection alive at the Garden Theatre.

Thank you for making these upgrades possible through your generous support of our nonprofit theater. We look forward to completing projects underway, and to the exciting improvements on the horizon!

Our upcoming Cinema Studies Seminars invite audiences to look closer and engage more deeply with the films we love. Each seminar includes an introductory lecture before the film and a guided discussion afterward, led by film scholars and professors.

Spring seminars began with Cure on Wednesday, April 1, featuring guest speaker Steven Chung. An associate professor in Princeton’s East Asian Studies department and affiliated with Comparative Literature and Film Studies, Chung brings wide-ranging expertise on Korean and East Asian cinema, global media histories, and film theory.

Later in the month, the program turns to the haunting classic The Night of the Hunter on Wednesday, April 29, introduced by Maria DiBattista, the Charles Barnwell Straut Professor of English at Princeton and author of Fast-Talking Dames, a noted study of American film comedy.

For seminar ticket holders, the evening begins with a 7:00 pm lecture, followed by the film at 7:30 pm and a post-screening discussion. Seminar admission includes the lecture, film, discussion, and a complimentary small popcorn and drink. While the screenings themselves are open to the public, the lecture and discussion are reserved exclusively for seminar participants—making these events a unique opportunity to experience great films alongside thoughtful scholarly conversation.

🔗 Join us — and be part of the conversation »

This summer, young filmmakers can dive into the art of storytelling with the return of our Princeton Garden Spring & Summer Film Camps.

High schoolers in grades 8–12 spent their spring break in our Young Screenwriters’ Workshop. Over four mornings, campers wrote original scenes, studied classic screenplays, and shared their work in a supportive group setting.

Our upcoming 2026 Film Summer Camps give rising 5th–9th graders hands-on filmmaking experience. Elements of Film (July 6–10) teaches story, sound, and camera technique through mini projects, while Intro to Filmmaking (July 13–17 & July 20–24) dives into DSLR cameras, editing, and team-based short films. Families are invited to a special screening each week.

Scholarships and offsite programs in Trenton are supported by donations—help us inspire the next generation of storytellers!

🔗 Register, Donate & learn more »

This June, the Princeton Garden Theatre will join cinemas around the world for Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair, a global film festival presented by the American Cinematheque.

Theaters across more than 70 cities will present their own curated selections of bold and challenging arthouse films that explore the darker corners of human experience. We’re thrilled to have been invited to participate and to bring a unique lineup of films to Princeton audiences the week of from June 1st through the 7th.

🔗 See full lineup and buy tickets »

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual Hollywood Awards Party fundraiser this year! This special evening brings our community together to celebrate cinema’s biggest night while raising vital funds to support our nonprofit theater.

It was especially exciting to witness several historic first-time wins together on the big screen — including Director Paul Thomas Anderson, Actor Michael B. Jordan, and a groundbreaking victory for Sinners cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who became the first woman ever to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography. Moments like these are exactly why we love coming together as a community to celebrate and witness how powerful film can be.

A special thank you to our event sponsors — whose generous support helped make the evening possible. We’re also incredibly grateful to the local restaurants that provided the delicious food, adding to the festive atmosphere and making the night feel like a true celebration.

Events like this one remind us that our theaters are more than just places to watch films—they’re places where our community comes together to celebrate. We hope to see you again for next year’s Hollywood Awards Party—confirmed on March 14th, 2027!

🔗 Full photo gallery from this year's party »

Interested in sponsoring our largest event of the year? Contact Shannon Quinty at squinty@renewtheaters.org for more information!

Are we showing one of your favorite movies on the big screen? Support the Garden Theater and bring your favorites to the big screen through our Underwriting Program!

Individuals, businesses, and organizations can help cover the costs of a film, special event, or an entire series—like the Reel Rebels or Hollywood Summer Nights — while showing support for our nonprofit community theater.

Underwriters receive four tickets to the event, are recognized on screen and online, and have the opportunity to introduce a screening in person. Single-film underwriting starts at $500, with custom options for series sponsorship or special ticket underwriting.

🔗 Start making an impact today »