By Chadd Clubine

You may not have asked this before, but I hope you’re intrigued now.

What began as Creative Cinematic Collection three and a half years ago has since evolved into simply CinemaCollect—a much cleaner name than the mouthful it once was. Looking back on my journey as CinemaCollect has made me incredibly grateful for everything I’ve accomplished so far. From attending press screenings to meeting inspiring people throughout the industry, I’ve been fortunate to experience opportunities I once only hoped for. At the same time, I know those opportunities came through a lot of hard work and persistence.

That said, I don’t feel like I’m exactly where I want to be just yet. Right now, CinemaCollect feels like it’s in a period of transition—one that’s laying the foundation for what’s next. I’ve wanted to write film reviews for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved movies, and I’ve always loved writing, so combining the two felt like a natural fit.

Eight years ago, I moved from Kansas to Florida to study film. My experience there not only deepened my appreciation for filmmaking but also inspired me to pursue a career in production management. After graduating, I went on to earn my Master’s in Accounting while continuing to work on a variety of creative projects, balancing my passion for film with a strong foundation in business.

After earning my Master’s, I felt like I was in a good place professionally, but I knew I wanted to pursue something more. That’s when the idea for Creative Cinematic Collection was born. The name was inspired by my own initials. Putting yourself out there can be intimidating, so I wanted to create something that reflected who I was while also feeling welcoming to others. My goal was to build a community where film lovers could come together to share their thoughts without feeling judged for what they liked—or didn’t like.

I launched a WordPress website and transformed what had once been an Instagram page showcasing my film work into what CinemaCollect has become today. Looking back at those early posts, it’s incredible to see how much the page has evolved. At the time, I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I kept moving forward, determined to reach the goals I’d set for myself—many of which I’ve since accomplished.

For the first year, I attended public press screenings, often waiting in long lines just for the opportunity to see new releases. I consistently published reviews, slowly building both my experience and my voice as a film critic.

By the end of 2023, I attended an early screening of Migration. Making it to an early Saturday morning screening wasn’t easy with my schedule, but I was determined to do something I hadn’t done before: present myself as a serious film critic.

After speaking with the studio representatives at the screening, I applied for press accreditation and was soon approved to attend Universal’s press screenings. It was a major milestone and the first real step toward being recognized as a member of the film press. While it was an exciting achievement, I knew there was still more work to do—I still needed to gain access to the other studios’ press screening lists.

My first official press screening was for Argylle in 2024, and it turned out to be a defining moment. While I was there, I ran into an old friend from college who encouraged me to apply to the Critics Association of Central Florida—a decision that would open even more doors for me.

Since joining the association, I’ve had the opportunity to experience so many incredible milestones. I’ve attended countless press screenings, received PR packages from studios, participated in year-end awards voting, and, connected with a community of people who share the same passion for film that I do. Looking back, it’s amazing to think that a single conversation at my very first press screening helped shape the path I’m on today.

Today, I feel like CinemaCollect is in a stable place, which has given me the opportunity to think bigger. I’m expanding my horizons by writing for another outlet, Disappointment Media, while also putting a greater focus on creating video content to introduce CinemaCollect to a wider audience.

Personally, I’ve also made it a goal to listen to at least one podcast and read a book every day. I’m constantly looking for ways to learn, improve, and grow, and I’m applying that same mindset to CinemaCollect. Moving forward, everything I create will be available in multiple formats. Whether you prefer reading an article on my website or watching a video, you’ll be able to experience the same content in the way that works best for you. I’ve realized that speaking through my ideas often allows me to communicate them more naturally, so incorporating video feels like the right next step.

I’m also challenging myself to post twice a day and experiment with trends and new content formats to help CinemaCollect reach more people. It will definitely push me outside of my comfort zone, and that’s a little intimidating. But growth rarely happens without taking risks, and I believe these changes are necessary to turn CinemaCollect into everything I know it can become.

Whether you’ve been following CinemaCollect for years or you’ve just discovered it today, I truly appreciate your support. It’s because of people like you that CinemaCollect has grown into what it is today, and I’m incredibly grateful to have you along for the journey. Here’s to everything that’s still to come.