This Wednesday, October 20, 2021, the Philadelphia Film Festival kicks off! It is the 30th anniversary of the Philadelphia Film Society (PFS). The festival will run through October 31, 2021. There will be options to attend film premieres at all the Philly venues (venues listed on their site) and additionally, certain films will be available on a digital platform for those that may not be ready to go back to the theater yet. “We’re thrilled to be able to return to our traditional Festival experience, offering a tremendous slate of films that inspire, engage, educate, and entertain diverse audiences. We’ve spent a great deal of time carefully working to ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees,” says J. Andrew Greenblatt, CEO & Executive Director, Philadelphia Film Society.
A screening of Belfast will be the Opening Night film on Wednesday, October 20th. The
semi-autobiographical film, written and directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh, tells the story of the
life of a working-class family and their young son's childhood during the tumult of the late 1960s
in the Northern Ireland capital.
In total the Film Festival will showcase 130 feature length and short films. The line-up includes the North American premieres of 3 films and the United States premieres of 10 films. “Coming off a year of pushed back release dates and societal confusion, I’m happy to report that cinema is stronger than ever. This year’s line-up is truly one of our most robust and explosive,” said Michael Lerman, Artistic Director, Philadelphia Film Society. In honor of the Philadelphia Film Society’s inaugural year producing the Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival, there will be a new environmental category, Green Screen - from animal welfare to the effects of climate change, these thought-provoking films address urgent environmental issues.
The Filmadelphia Category and Filmadelphia Shorts Program emphasize the Philadelphia
Film Society’s ongoing commitment to film in Greater Philadelphia, featuring brilliant films from
the region’s most captivating filmmakers. This year the program includes the East Coast
premiere of Alysa Nahmias’ stirring documentary Krimes. It follows local artist Jesse
Krimes, who created spectacular works while incarcerated and uses his work to
inspire and challenge. I had the pleasure of seeing Krimes give a TEDx talk in Philly pre covid and have truly enjoyed watching his impact from afar. This is one you do not want to miss!
I am also very excited about the premiere of King Richard, a film about Richard Williams (played by Will Smith), the father and first coach of Serena and Venus Williams.
To allow all patrons to experience the Festival comfortably and safely, there will be health and
safety protocols in place, including proof of vaccination and mask requirements plus maintaining
50% capacity at all Festival screenings with empty seats between patrons to ensure distancing.
INFO AND TICKETS:
The full Festival schedule and digital Festival Program Guide are available now: www.filmadelphia.org/festival.
Tickets can be purchased through the Festival website www.filmadelphia.org/festival, in-person
at the Box Offices at the Philadelphia Film Center and PFS Bourse Theater, or over the phone
at 215-422-4588.
ABOUT PHILADELPHIA FILM SOCIETY
Philadelphia Film Society (PFS) creates opportunities for diverse communities to experience film
through initiatives that inspire, educate, challenge, and entertain. A nonprofit organization that is
the region’s foremost resource for film presentation and education, PFS is committed to
presenting film as a powerful medium for artistic expression, a transformative force, and a
catalyst for strengthening community. As the producer of the Philadelphia Film Festival and
creative force behind the Philadelphia Film Center, PFS Bourse Theater, and PFS Drive-In at
the Navy Yard, PFS raises awareness of film as an important art form in Philadelphia, and
serves as a vital piece of the city’s arts and culture community. For more information, visit
Filmadelphia.org.
ABOUT PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL
Every October, the Philadelphia Film Society hosts the Philadelphia Film Festival which gathers
more than 25,000 film lovers and scores of talented filmmakers for ten exceptional days of
cinematic splendor. As a world-class film festival, PFF represents a major contribution to the
cultural life of the city and region, attracting new audiences to PFS and the film community at
large.
Photos courtesy of the Philadelphia Film Society.
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