(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The South Mountain Film Academy (SMFA), in partnership with the Maplewood Memorial Library, announced the premiere of "The Maplewood Theater: The Show Must Go On," a poignant 15-minute documentary filmed and produced by local middle school students. The short film explores the history of Maplewood's nearly 100-year-old theater, the venue's role in the community and residents' excitement about the plans to reopen – just in time for the centennial.
The free community screening will take place Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at the Maplewood Memorial Library (51 Baker Street) in Maplewood, New Jersey. A panel discussion and Q&A session with SMFA founder Christopher Cassidy and the student filmmakers will follow. The event begins at 6:00pm.
The documentary captures a seminal moment in Maplewood history, a town many entertainment industry professionals call home. Since the theater shuttered in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents wondered about the future of the beloved local landmark. While the Maplewood Film Society hosted local pop-up screenings to advocate for the space, the theater's long-term fate remained highly uncertain until recently.
Through interviews with local historians and town leaders, the student filmmakers trace the theater's incredible journey since opening on March 15, 1927. Along the way, they uncovered little-known facts and anecdotes, rarely seen historic images and a unique collection of community voices that bring the theater's history to life.
The project served as the culmination of SMFA's Winter 2026 Documentary course, a hands-on, 10-week program for middle school students. Throughout the semester, the young creators stepped into the roles of professional documentarians, brainstorming concepts, researching local history, conducting interviews, and operating professional camera and sound equipment.
"Watching these young filmmakers capture the living history of our town was incredibly inspiring," said Cassidy. "They stepped behind the lens with immense curiosity and empathy to interview local leaders and preservationists. They aren't just learning how to frame a shot; they are discovering how to use film to connect their community to its own heritage at a moment when New Jersey's film industry is seeing an unprecedented renaissance."
For the student filmmakers, the project provided an opportunity to develop technical skills while learning the fundamentals of professional storytelling.
"Our class was only 10 weeks but, in that time, we really came together," said Maeve Cope, a then 8th-grade filmmaker who worked on the project. "There was such a fun and supportive environment during class. I was able to speak and share my ideas freely without having to worry about what everyone else would think. Everyone played a role in making this film – I'm really proud of what we created together."
Following the screening, Cassidy and the student filmmakers will discuss their experience making the documentary and what they learned about the creative process. The group will also address New Jersey's growing movie industry and the career opportunities it may provide, before opening the floor to an audience Q&A. Members of the Maplewood Film Society will be in attendance to answer any theater-related questions.
In the coming months, SMFA will continue its youth filmmaking programming at the Maplewood Memorial Library, with hands-on workshops for middle school students, giving them additional opportunities to learn storytelling, camera techniques and sound recording.
For more information on the screening, visit the Maplewood Memorial Library at: https://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/.
Founded in 2025, the South Mountain Film Academy (SMFA) is Maplewood and South Orange New Jersey's first film school for kids. Offering hands-on programs in storyboarding, camera techniques, directing and editing, SMFA empowers youth to turn everyday life into compelling visual stories. Founded by veteran cinematographer and award-winning director Chris Cassidy, SMFA bridges the gap between professional technical skills and creative self-expression.
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