Cognitive Film Society Screenings
Join us at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library's Gold Theater. Every screening includes introductions and discussions led by film scholars and enthusiasts.
June 5th, 2025 - Rear Window (1954)
Our Inaugural Event!
The Cognitive Film Society launches June 5th with an unforgettable evening of classic cinema and community!
Every window tells a story. Every story hides a secret.
Our evening begins with a special inaugural event at 5:00 PM (details coming soon - trust us, you won't want to miss this), followed by our first screening at the majestic Gold Theater at Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library - Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece of urban voyeurism, Rear Window (1954).
A Night to Remember
5:00 PM: Inaugural Reception (members only - more details to come!)
6:30 PM: Special Introduction by Foster Hirsch
7:00 PM: Screening of Rear Window
9:00 PM: Post-film discussion
Special Guest: Foster Hirsch
We're honored to welcome noted film historian and author Foster Hirsch (Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties) to help launch our society. A professor at Brooklyn College and regular presence at Film Forum, Foster brings deep insight and infectious enthusiasm to every screening
Supporting a Greater Cause
We're proud to partner with the American Cancer Society for this special evening. Film has always had the power to bring communities together, and we're excited to announce how our partnership will help support their vital mission. Stay tuned for details on how your participation will make a difference.
Members receive priority seating and access to our special inaugural event. Join now to reserve your spot!
August 21, 2025 - August Anime Festival
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
The future remembers its past
The Cognitive Film Society is proud to present Mamoru Oshii's landmark anime masterpiece on the big screen! In 2029 Neo-Tokyo, a cyborg security officer hunts a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master, leading to profound questions about consciousness, identity, and what makes us human. A visually stunning achievement that influenced everything from The Matrix to Ex Machina.
More details to come on Anime Festival!
Members receive priority seating. Join now to reserve your spot!
October-November 2025
Uptown/Downtown: Jewish Life in New York Cinema*
A special series exploring how cinema has captured Jewish life in New York City across generations. From the Lower East Side to the Upper West Side, from silent films to modern romcoms, we'll explore how movies have portrayed the evolution of Jewish cultural identity in the city that never sleeps.
Featuring:
Crossing Delancey (1988)
The Younger Generation (1929)
Hester Street (1975)
Funny Girl (1968)
*Full schedule and special guests to be announced
Our Partnership Venue
The Gold Theater at Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library features state-of-the-art projection and sound, comfortable seating, and that indefinable magic that only comes from watching great films together.
Membership Benefits
Priority seating at all screenings
Exclusive pre and post-screening events
Digital content around each film
Support our mission to keep cinema culture alive
The Cognitive Film Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating film culture through educational programming and community engagement. Our screenings at the Gold Theater help support free film education programs, community partnerships, and the preservation of cinema culture in our region and beyond.