The Premiere Film Series allows producers and directors to premiere and screen new films and “films in progress” at the classic Ridgefield Playhouse theatre. The Premiere Film Series was the inaugural event establishing The Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society in October 2004. The series functions on a demand basis in order to accommodate the filmmaker’s release schedule.

On Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 7:30pm, the Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society will present a "Sneak Preview" of Gospel Hill. This event marks the directorial debut of the distinguished film and stage actor Giancarlo Esposito, who is also the movie's co-writer and producer. Gospel Hill stars Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, Julia Stiles and Giancarlo Esposito, who will be at the Q&A after the screening. For ticket information, call The Ridgefield Playhouse @ 203.438.5795

(2004) • NOEL •  DIRECTOR CHAZZ PALMINTERI •  This film was actor Chazz Palminteri theatrical directorial debut as he premiered  NOEL, starring Susan Sarandon, Penolope Cruz and Paul Walker. Palminteri was on hand for a Q&A session following the premiere screening with our hosts actor Giancarlo Esposito, Morton Dean and Ira Joe Fisher. In attendance that evening was a capacity audience of 565 people inaugurating The Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society.

(2005) • THE THING ABOUT MY FOLKS • PRODUCER/ACTOR/WRITER PAUL REISER and DIRECTOR RAYMOND DEFELITTA were present for the Q&A session before another capacity audience (August 2005).

(2005) • THE MOGULS •  ACTOR JOE PANTOLIANO •  The Moguls was screened as a new“film in progress” being edited including a title changed to The Amateurs before it’s scheduled release date in March 2006,  Veteran character actor Joe Pantoliano appeared at the film’s Q&A session. In the capacity audience that evening were director/actors Tony Goldwyn and Chazz Palminteri sitting with noted Hollywood production designer Jane Musky (December 2005).

(2006) • BROOKLYN RULES • DIRECTOR MICHAEL CORRENTE • Brooklyn Rules is a new film by Michael Corrente, who directed Dustin Hoffman and David Mamet’s script in the film American Buffalo.  Brooklyn Rules stars Alec Baldwin, Freddie Prinze Jr., Mena Suvari, Scott Caan and Jerry Ferrara and is scheduled for a nationwide release date in September 2006. Director Michael Corrente and Screenwriter Terence Winter (The Sopranos) were interviewed by the audience at the Q&A session

(2006) • MAN OF THE YEAR • DIRECTOR BARRY LEVINSON • Man of the Year is a new film by Academy Award winning director/writer Barry Levinson, who directed Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam.  Man of the Year co-stars Robin Williams, Laura Linney, and Christopher Walken and was premiered nationally the same day it was screened for the Ridgefield Playhouse Film Society.

(2007) • BAGHDAD DIARY • DIRECTORS SANDRA & JOSEPH CONSENTINO • The documentary Baghdad Diary is a new film by EMMY-Award winning director, producing team of Sandra and Joseph Consentino. NBC News cameraman Craig White was also at the Q&A.