On any given screening night, the red velvet seats in the theater at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library fill quickly with movie-loving community members ready to debate, dissect and celebrate film together.
In just two years, the Cognitive Film Society has transformed from a grassroots idea into a cultural hub in the Five Towns, blending packed screenings, student engagement and community partnerships.
Co-founder Douglas Hesney, said the organization was built with community at its core.
“I saw an opportunity to create something that wasn’t just about watching films, but about engaging with them,” Hesney said. “What’s been most rewarding is seeing how the community has embraced that idea and really made it their own.”
He added that the society’s growth has exceeded expectations. “We started with a vision, but the response has gone beyond what we imagined,” he said. “Every screening, every discussion, you see new faces, new voices, and that’s what keeps it exciting.”
Library Director Michelle Young said the concept was an ideal match with the library’s mission. “I thought it was perfect,” she wrote in an email. “While we are the designated arts and music library of Nassau County, we really should consider ourselves the arts, music and film library.”
The library’s 200-seat theater, Young said, has played a key role in the film group’s success. “The jewel of the library is our theater,” she wrote. “From the red velvet seats to the sound system, it really brings people back to the time many of these films were made. It creates an experience you just can’t replicate at home.”
The library has helped the organization grow by hosting screenings and discussions. “We have been proudly working with the Cognitive Film Society by hosting an eclectic range of impactful movies along with captivating special guest speakers,” Young wrote. “It’s been exciting to see audiences not only attend but stay and engage in meaningful conversations afterward.”
Yelena Fradlis, the group’s creative director and a co-founder, said the organization was designed to go beyond traditional movie programming.
“We wanted this to be more than just a film club,” Fradlis said. “It’s about creating dialogue and building connections across the community.”
Those connections, she said, have been strengthened through partnerships with local schools. “Working with students has been incredibly important to us,” Fradlis said. “They bring fresh perspectives, and we’re giving them a platform to engage with film. Whether through discussion, writing or performance, it has been really special.”
That film society has collaborations with Hewlett-Woodmere schools, helping to introduce film to classroom discussions and giving students the chance to take part in the organization’s events.
“We’re helping students see film not just as entertainment, but as something you can study, analyze and even create,” Hesney said.
The society has also partnered with local businesses and community groups, expanding its reach beyond the library. “Collaborating with local businesses has allowed us to think creatively about programming,” Fradlis said. “Whether it’s themed events or bringing in different audiences, those partnerships have helped us grow in new directions.”
The outreach, Hesney said, has helped turn individual events into broader community experiences. “When you involve different parts of the community, such as schools, businesses or organizations, it becomes something bigger than just a screening,” he said. “It becomes a shared cultural moment.”
In addition to its in-person programming, the group has built a growing digital presence with its essays, reviews and film analysis on Substack, attracting more than 2,000 subscribers and extending its reach from local audiences to readers around the world.
“Our Substack allows the conversation to continue beyond the theater,” Hesney said. “People who can’t attend in person can still be part of what we’re building.”
“It’s another way to bring people into the conversation,” Fradlis said. “We want film to feel accessible and engaging, no matter where you are.”
Young said the collaboration reflects the library’s broader role as a community anchor. “Partnerships like this help us grow and expand our reach,” she said. “This is exactly the kind of programming that brings people together.”
With a steady stream of screenings and online engagement, Fradlis said the organization is still in its early stages. “We’re just getting started,” she said. “There’s so much more we want to do, and so many more people we want to reach.”
