DeKALB – Egyptian Theatre Executive Director Alex Nerad had been teasing a special announcement all throughout Give DeKalb County day, an annual 24-hour fundraiser for local nonprofits.
The announcement came Thursday evening from DeKalb native and Academy Award-nominated actor Richard Jenkins via video message before a screening of the movie “Selma” on Thursday night at the historic theater.
Jenkins said he was excited and humbled to announce a special film series hosted by the Egyptian set for September and October that will feature his nine favorite movies that he has starred in. He also hinted that he might make an appearance in DeKalb for one of the screenings.
“They all mean something special to me,” Jenkins said. “I’m humbled that they’re showing them at the theater in downtown DeKalb and I hope you all come out and check them out.”
The nine movies will be “Dear John,” “Eat Pray Love,” “Flirting with Disaster,” “Bone Tomahawk,” “North Country,” “The Visitor,” “Step Brothers,” “Norman” and “The Shape of Water.” Jenkins’ performance in two of the films, “The Visitor” and “The Shape of Water,” earned him Academy Award nominations.
As of 7 p.m., Give DeKalb County had raised close to $8,600 for the Egyptian Theatre. Nerad said the money will be put toward the purchase of a new digital HD projector.
DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith said the theater is a community treasure and one of the centerpieces of the downtown area. He said that he was grateful for the support of Give DeKalb County, which allows people to give back to the groups that are most important to them.