After 24 years of owning and operating Fayetteville’s iconic CAMEO Art House Theatre, Nasim and Chris Kuenzel have announced their retirement. The theater will be available for new ownership at the end of 2024. I asked the Kuenzels, staff and loyal patrons about their most fond films and memories of the CAMEO.
The CAMEO’s history is long and rich. The building, first opened as the New Dixie in 1914, was once home to silent films before transforming into Dixie Billiards and Eddie’s Music Center. As downtown theaters like the Broadway and Miracle fell to the wrecking ball in the mid-20th century, the Dixie Theater was condemned, and Fayetteville’s downtown moviegoing days were forgotten.
But in 1997, the Kuenzels, alongside Eric Lindstrom, saw potential in the long-abandoned building. After three years of research and restoration, the CAMEO Art House Theatre opened its doors in October 2000, ushering in a new era of independent cinema in downtown Fayetteville.
The venture, supported by friends, family, and volunteers, was not just a commercial endeavor but a community project. By 2002, the CAMEO expanded to include The LOGE, a 38-seat screening room, further cementing its place as an arts hub. In 2003, the meticulous restoration work was recognized with the Gertrude S. Caraway Award of Merit for historic preservation.
Over the years, the CAMEO has become known for showing award-winning films, hosting film festivals, and creating a platform for art and independent films that may otherwise never have reached Fayetteville. The theater has weathered changes in the film industry, most notably the shift to digital projection in 2012, which required a successful community fundraising campaign to replace its old equipment.
As Nasim Kuenzel looks back on their years at the CAMEO, several moments stand out, such as the 2014 screening of the controversial anti-North Korean comedy The Interview. With theaters across the country refusing to show the film due to threats, the CAMEO was one of the few to take a stand, even attracting Fayetteville native rapper J. Cole to one of the screenings. Nasim also remembers actor Tom Hardy attending a screening of Venom, where he gave a moving speech in support of the military.
And, of course, the theater’s Oscar parties, where the Fayetteville film community came together to celebrate, are some of Nasim's fondest memories. These moments made everyone feel like they were more than a movie theater—they were part of something bigger.
Chris Kuenzel shares equally vivid memories, from Sustainable Saturdays, a film series focusing on environmental issues, to Silent Film Sundays, where silent films were accompanied by a soundtrack. The CAMEO also became a cherished venue for weddings and proposals.
As for the films he loved showing, Chris highlights Amélie, Little Miss Sunshine, Billy Elliot, Napoleon Dynamite, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon as personal favorites that helped solidify the CAMEO’s reputation as a unique film destination.
James Throssel, the CAMEO’s current manager, has created a lasting legacy of his own. He spearheaded the Makers Series which tells the stories of local Fayetteville artists. He loved the Oscar parties and Halloween events—complete with Nosferatu screenings and Halloween cartoons—have become annual traditions. For Throssel, films like The Worst Person in the World, Past Lives, and Waves have left an indelible mark.
“Movies at the CAMEO aren’t just something you watch—they become part of who you are,” he said.
For longtime patron and now staff member Darla Folkes, her connection to the theater began with her first screening of O Brother, Where Art Thou. Her favorite films, including To Kill a Mockingbird, Pan’s Labyrinth, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Inside Llewyn Davis, reflect the kind of diverse and thoughtful programming the CAMEO is known for.
“I’ve enjoyed many memories here.” Folkes treasures memories like the day she was hired, Tom Hardy’s visit, and the moment the community came together to secure the theater’s future with the digital transition.
Former staff member Chris Hollingsworth, now living in Austin, Texas, fondly recalls the unique moments that made working at the CAMEO so special.
"Previewing the film reels early was always fun," he said, reminiscing about his time behind the scenes. Hollingsworth remembers a friend’s wedding at the theater, the excitement of the zombie walk paired with Dead Alive, and the collective energy of the many fundraisers, especially producing promotional content for the campaigns.
One vivid memory was the fire scare that followed a hailstorm, which caused a flickering in the neon sign at Rude Awakening.
"It was one of those moments you don't forget," he shared.
Other standouts included the day-drunk, ritzy crowd at The Great Gatsby screening, and the lively Spielberg/Kubrick/Scorsese debates he had with his coworkers. The theater saw its share of emotional moments for Hollingswoth like hearing about Roger Ebert's death right after watching Twenty Feet from Stardom.
"I pulled out his Great Movies List from my notebook that day. It just felt like the right thing to do."
Hollingsworth’s memories paint a picture of a community deeply connected through film, from lighthearted moments to those that left a lasting emotional impact.
Brian Adam Kline, a former staff member and now CAMEO Film Society member, fondly remembers the people he met during his years at the theater.
“The friendships I made at the CAMEO are lifelong and beautiful,” he said.
Kline recalls screenings of Another Earth, Sound of My Voice, films by Christopher Nolan, Tree of Life, and a special showing of E.T. as some of his favorite cinematic experiences.
“It was never just about the films, though. It was about the connections—the love that people showed each other through good times and bad times,” he said.
Along with James Throssel, Kline produced Local Shorts, a night designated in giving local filmmakers a chance to shine on the CAMEO’s big screen.
The Kuenzels credit the theater’s continued success to its loyal membership base, its dedicated staff, and the Fayetteville community. As they prepare to retire, they are optimistic about the theater’s future.
The CAMEO Art House Theatre stands as more than just a cinema—it’s a time capsule, preserving the spirit of independent film and the shared experiences of Fayetteville’s arts community. As a historic landmark, it has borne witness to countless memories, from weddings and Oscar parties to the films that have shaped the lives of its patrons. For over a century, the building has evolved, reflecting the heart of downtown Fayetteville’s cultural landscape.
As it prepares for a new chapter, the CAMEO remains an irreplaceable part of our city’s arts and culture history, ready to inspire future generations of cinephiles and dreamers.

(Photo: The CAMEO Art House Theatre in Downtown Fayetteville has been a staple of the community. Photo by James Throssel)