Holy City Cinema Launches Film Series at Terrace Theater
Holy City Cinema launched its inaugural film series centered on women’s stories and filmmakers on Nov. 1 at the Terrace Theater in Charleston. Rebecca Finley designed the new venture to extend beyond traditional screenings by pairing movies with post-show discussions, meals, and direct interactions between audiences and creators. Having spent years working in live events and film festivals, Finley previously served as artistic director for the Oxford Film Festival.
Inaugural Film Lineup and Panel Discussion
The opening event featured a three-film slate highlighting female perspectives in media. The program included Seeing Is Believing,
a 57-minute documentary directed by actress and three-time Daytime Emmy winner Cady McClain, alongside two local productions: the experimental short Are We Just Flowers
and the teen mystery pilot Marshlight Girls,
according to The Post and Courier. Following the screenings, McClain, Li Lu, Zandrina Dunning, and Bonnie Ryerson joined Finley on stage to discuss women in creative industries, the evolution of storytelling over the past decade, and future industry directions.
Community Connection and Dinner Salon
To foster deeper engagement among attendees and visiting artists, the launch event offered a separately reserved five-course dinner prepared by chef Mari Jo Ramie in a private salon space. Finley stated that she wanted to bring creators and viewers into the same room to give local filmmakers more opportunities to share their work at home while connecting with sustaining audiences, The Post and Courier reported. Noting that Charleston features both an established and growing film community, Finley expressed her motivation for the project by stating, I just recently moved back and, honestly, wanted to offer something here that I would want for my own films.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired the creation of Holy City Cinema?
After years of working in film festivals and live events, Rebecca Finley wanted to create a screening format that gives audiences a reason to linger through discussions, meals, and direct access to creators. Having recently moved back to Charleston, she wanted to establish an intimate film experience in her home community.
Who participated in the opening panel discussion?
The post-screening panel featured director Cady McClain, Li Lu, Zandrina Dunning, and Bonnie Ryerson, who joined Rebecca Finley to talk about women in creative industries.
Where did the launch event take place?
The inaugural event took place on Nov. 1 at the Terrace Theater in Charleston.
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