New Canaan Library is rolling out the red carpet for it first ever movie premiere! Based on the wonderful children’s book by best-selling author Katherine Paterson, The Great Gilly Hopkins will be shown on Wednesday, October 19th at 6:00 p.m. at Bow Tie Cinema, 89 Elm Street, New Canaan. This family event is a fundraiser in support of the Children’s Room at the Library.

An all-star cast featuring Glenn Close, Kathy Bates, Julia Stiles and Octavia Spencer makes this film a must see for those of all ages who are lovers of Katherine Paterson novels. Adding a star-studded quality to the evening will be guest appearances on the New Canaan red carpet by cast members, Clare Foley and Zach Hernandez and Ms. Paterson herself.

“We are so fortunate to have been given this exclusive opportunity by Lionsgate and the Paterson family,” notes Executive Director, Lisa Oldham. “We can’t wait to introduce ‘Gilly’ to New Canaan’s avid Katherine Patterson fans.”

Proceeds from this exciting event benefits the Library’s Children’s Room; tickets are $30 per person, $100 for a family of four and may be purchased online only at newcanaanlibrary.org/Gilly. The film is rated PG and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Guests will enjoy a pre-event pizza party for kids in the Library’s Lamb Room, starting at 4:30 pm, and popcorn and soda at the film.

“The Library would love everyone to read the book before they come, and Elm Street Books will offer a 10% discount to anyone who mentions they are coming to the event,” says Ellen

Crovatto, Director of Development and Marketing for New Canaan Library.

Corporate underwriting for the event has been generously provided by Wells Fargo. “Wells Fargo feels very fortunate to be a part of bringing Katherine Paterson and The Great Gilly Hopkins to New Canaan. We are all looking forward to what we know will be an extraordinary evening.”

“This is a true community-wide celebration and we are thankful for the remarkable support we have attracted from Wells Fargo. This allows us to hold the premiere in a real movie theater, making it even more exciting for the fans,” Crovatto noted.

Katherine Paterson, author of The Great Gilly Hopkins and countless other beloved children’s novels including Bridge to Terabithia, will hold a Q & A session in the theater after the screening and will be available to sign books, sold courtesy of Elm Street Books, at both the pre-event pizza party and at the theater. For more information, please contact kcody@newcanaanlibrary.org or call (203) 594-5006.

New Canaan Library has been the community’s intellectual and cultural center for more than a century. Today, the Library continues as a vibrant community resource for learning and innovation, offering an extraordinary print and electronic collection, dynamic programming, and up to the minute technology and maker spaces. Every month, over 16,000 members come through the doors in search of knowledge, exploration and entertainment.

New Canaan Library looks confidently towards the future, embracing its vision of being the community’s source for inspiration and discovery.