My friends in the Southwest say they miss fall with its changing colors. And then I have friends who define themselves as summer people or winter people. My season is Awards Season — the time every year when there’s a renewed focus on film — the stars, the scandals, and, most of all, the magic.

It started off in January when Picture House Film Club host — and NY Film Critics Circle two-time past Chair — Stephen Whitty took a couple of us to the New York Film Critics Circle Awards where he presented the Best Animated Feature award to Dean Fleischer Camp and Jenny Slate for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Being in the room for Everything Everywhere All at Once star Ke Huy Quan ‘s heartfelt acceptance speech was truly memorable.

Equally memorable was the day the Oscar nominations were announced, and it turned out that we were screening a nominee for Best International Feature that night at TPH Film Club Bronxville. Not only did we screen the remarkable film Close, its dynamic, impressive director Lukas Dhont was with us that evening. Our film club audience was moved by the film and charmed and impressed by the director — a perfect film evening.

We’re celebrating the Oscars at The Picture House this year with ballots and parties — and with a concert—Music That Made the Movies: the Oscars! The list of Academy Award nominated songs over the decades is just phenomenal, and we have an amazing group of artists set to perform the best of the best for you, including Broadway star Jeanine LaManna, singer-songwriter Monica Uhm, and singer Valeria Lemon, who, for twelve years, worked with Academy Award-wining composer Marvin Hamlisch. You won’t want to miss this musical extravaganza on Friday, March 10 at The Picture House Pelham.

And this year, a first! Awards season at TPH will extend to April 19 when The Picture House Regional Film Center will receive the Arts Organization Award at ArtsWestchester’s annual award ceremony. We’re being honored as “a visionary organization bringing the best of film making to the community at two locations.” We’re deeply honored  and excited to share the stage with 2023 double Grammy winner Samara Joy (Best New Artist and Best Vocal Jazz Album), journalist Georgette Gouveia, choreographer Carole Alexis, arts patron Farooq Kathwari, and the Westchester Children’s Chorus.

So, you can keep your beach days and fall leaves. Make mine a statuette, please.