REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- In celebration of its 25th Silver Screen Anniversary during the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society bestowed the prestigious "Legacy Award" upon Mariah Calagione, co-founder of Dogfish Head Brewery and member of the Draper Media family. The award recognizes Calagione's outstanding contributions to the Film Society over the past 25 years.
Founded in 1998, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society aimed to establish an annual fall Independent Film Festival, a mission realized with Calagione as one of its founding members. Serving as the Board President in 2001, the organization says Calagione's leadership played a pivotal role in the festival's early years. Over the past quarter-century, they say her unwavering support extended beyond volunteerism, with consistent sponsorship of the organization's annual fall Film Festival production.
In addition to her commitment to the Film Society, Calagione, along with her husband Sam, played a crucial role in the local community through the establishment of Dogfish Head Brewery. The 2019 acquisition of Dogfish Head by Boston Beer saw the Calagiones reinforcing their philanthropic commitment by allocating a portion of the acquired Boston Beer stock to establish a foundation supporting various local charitable programs.
Executive Director Helen M. Chamberlin expressed gratitude for Calagione's enduring passion and generosity, stating, "We are very fortunate to be on the receiving end of Mariah’s passion and generosity. She has truly made a lasting and impactful contribution to the Film Society year after year. It is for these reasons that we presented her with a Legacy Award."
As part of the Film Society's 25th Silver Screen Anniversary, a Founders Reception was hosted on the Festival's opening night. Original members, including Rob Rector and Barry Becker, were welcomed back alongside Mariah Calagione. A brief history of the organization's formation and a complete list of founding members can be found at Rehoboth Film Society's official website.