The 31st Annual Philadelphia Film Festival Is This Month and Features Over 130 Films From 40+ Countries

The Philadelphia Film Society (PFS) has announced the full line-up for the 31st Philadelphia Film Festival (PFF), spanning from October 19 – October 30. This year’s Festival will offer in-person screenings at all PFS venues (Philadelphia Film Center, PFS Bourse Theater, and the newly acquired PFS East).

In addition to the 31st Philadelphia Film Festival lineup, that beloved theater Ritz East will be under PFS management. Located in Old City Philadelphia, PFS will reopen the theater under the name PFS East for PFF31 screenings. With the additional two screens, PFS will now be programming first-run films and curated series on a total of nine screens, the largest number of independently owned and operated screens in the city.

“We couldn’t be more excited for this year’s Festival, as we’re finally back in totality. More than that, and as cliché as it might be, we’re better than ever. Full theaters, more events, an amazing Festival lounge space, and a ton of special guests,” said J. Andrew Greenblatt, CEO & Executive Director of the Philadelphia Film Society. “Even better, as we enter the next era of the Film Society, the Festival marks the addition of the former Ritz East into the Film Society theater family. Now known as the PFS East, we’re thrilled to bring this beloved theater, a Festival staple, back to life. Not only that, between utilizing the PFS East and the PFS Bourse, we’re creating a stronger presence all throughout the Old City neighborhood during the 12 days of the Festival, beginning this year and moving forward. Of course, the Film Center will remain a critical part of the Festival, with Opening, Closing, Centerpiece screenings and more.”

The 31st anniversary line-up features a multitude of films from a wide range of genres. In total, the Festival will showcase more than 130 feature length and short films. The line-up includes the World premieres of two films, North American premieres of two films and the United States premieres of five films. The Festival line-up is curated by the PFF programming team who carefully selects each film from multiple international festivals throughout the year.

“This year’s program is one of our largest to date which only further solidifies the strength of the state of cinema today,” remarks Michael Lerman, Artistic Director & Senior Director of Programming of the Philadelphia Film Society. “Not only is the quality of film extremely high, we are thrilled to be able to bring new, bold, diverse, and rebellious stories to Philadelphia. With a strong showcase of documentary films as well as thought-provoking narratives, PFF31 truly highlights the urgency of the contemporary world we are living in.”

The Opening Night film will be THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN on Wednesday, October 19th. The film, written and directed by Academy Award winner Martin McDonagh, tells the story of two lifelong friends who find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. The film reunites actors Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson 14 years after starring together in IN BRUGES.

The Closing Night film will be Venice Film Festival Golden Lion winner ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED on Friday, October 28th. Directed by Laura Poitras, this documentary follows the life of artist Nan Goldin and the downfall of the Sackler family, the pharmaceutical dynasty who was greatly responsible for the opioid crisis.

Centerpiece screenings include the highly awaited sequel GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY, featuring the star-studded cast including Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Ethan Hawke and Kate Hudson, with a Festival appearance by Director Rian Johnson; WHITE NOISE, a sprawling adventure from director Noah Baumbach starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig; ARMAGEDDON TIME, auteur James Gray’s moving memoir starring Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong with Anthony Hopkins; EMPIRE OF LIGHT, a love letter to cinema with a stellar cast led by Olivia Colman including Micheal Ward and Colin Firth, and reuniting director Sam Mendes with cinematographer Roger Deakins; TILL, a profoundly emotional film directed by Temple University Alumni, Chinonye Chukwu; and Elegance Bratton’s debut feature THE INSPECTION, a beautifully drawn portrait of a gay man in marine core training.

Other festival highlights include the North American Premiere of REBEL, the new film by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, whose credits include BAD BOYS FOR LIFE and MS. MARVEL, as well as a special spotlight screening of WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY, the “real life” biopic of comedian and musician “Weird” Al Yankovic, starring Daniel Radcliffe.

The Festival will feature three Special Event screenings. These will include RRR, an exhilarating theatrical experience that imagines two revolutionary heroes of India’s British Raj era forming a brotherhood to combat colonialism, and MAGIC MIKE XXL, a special 35MM party of a screening feature Quizzo and other rowdy, interactive surprises. The festival will also include An Evening with Dream Video Division, a radical new media collective who specializes in remixing films that will present a collection of their latest work.

The From The Vaults category features five iconic films, Robert Downey, Sr.’s RITTENHOUSE SQUARE (2005), presented in 35MM, Sally Potter’s ORLANDO (1992), John Waters’ PINK FLAMINGOS for its 50th anniversary, the 45th anniversary of William Friedkin’s SORCERER (1977), presented in 35MM, as well as Edward Yang’s A CONFUCIAN CONFUSION (1994).

This year’s line-up includes the return of the State of the Union. The films in this category expand upon the Festival’s goal of presenting films that are both timely and thought provoking in their relevance, and are also complementary to audiences through PFS on Us. All of the films included in this free ticketing program unite a diverse group of individuals involved in nonprofit organizations, arts and cultural groups, universities, and hundreds from Philadelphia’s general public who want to share in the excitement and challenge of powerful new cinema.

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 category includes two World premieres, the first is Brandon Eric Kamin’s RITTENHOUSE SQUARE (2022), which tells the story of a young man named who is struggling with the aftermath of his father’s death and thoughts of suicide as he befriends an older homeless veteran, which forges a friendship that saves them both. The second World premiere is Tim Downlin and Frank Tartaglia’s NOT FOR NOTHING, which is a story about a man who searches for answers after his girlfriend dies, with the aid of his fellow South Philly barflys only to ignite a dangerous street war with a mysterious drug dealer.

The full Festival schedule and digital Festival Program Guide are available now on www.filmadelphia.org/festival.

Screenings for the 31st Philadelphia Film Festival will take place at the below venues:

● Philadelphia Film Center (1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102)

● PFS Bourse (400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106)

● PFS East (125 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 – Formerly Ritz East)

Tickets will go on-sale for Philadelphia Film Society members on Friday, October 7th and to the general public beginning Monday, October 10th.

Tickets may be purchased through the Festival website, www.filmadelphia.org/festival, in-person at the Box Offices at the Philadelphia Film Center, PFS Bourse Theater, or over the phone at 215-422-4588.

31st Philadelphia Film Festival Full Line-up

ᐩ Part of the PFS on Us Complimentary Tickets Initiative

Opening Night Film

○ The Banshees of Inisherin, Director Martin McDonagh. 2022, United Kingdom, Ireland, USA.

Closing Night Film

○ All The Beauty And The Bloodshed, Director Laura Poitras. 2022, USA.

Centerpieces

○ Armageddon Time, Director James Gray. 2022, USA, Brazil.

○ Empire of Light, Director Sam Mendes. 2022, United Kingdom, USA.

○ Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Director Rian Johnson. 2022, USA.

○ The Inspection, Director Elegance Bratton. 2022, USA.

○ She Said, Director Maria Schrader. 2022, USA.

○ Till, Director Chinonye Chukwu. 2022, USA.

○ The Whale, Director Darren Aronofsky. 2022, USA.

○ White Noise, Director Noah Baumbach. 2022, USA.

○ Women Talking, Director Sarah Polley. 2022, USA.

Special Events

○ An Evening with Dream Video Divisonᐩ

○ Magic Mike XXL, Director Gregory Jacobs. 2015, USA.

○ RRR, Director S.S. Rajamouli. 2022, India.

Masters of Cinema – The latest films by a new generation of acclaimed auteurs and established directors who continue to reshape the cinematic landscape.

○ A Compassionate Spy, Director Steve James. 2022, USA.

○ All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Director Laura Poitras. 2022, USA.

○ Broker, Director Hirokazu Kore-eda. 2022, South Korea.

○ Brother and Sister, Director Arnaud Desplechin. 2022, France.

○ Decision to Leave, Director Park Chan-wook. 2022, South Korea.

○ EO, Director Jerzy Skolimowski. 2022, Poland, United Kingdom, Italy.

○ One Fine Morning, Director Mia Hansen-Løve. 2022, France, United Kingdom, Germany.

○ R.M.N., Director Cristian Mungiu. 2022, Belgium, France, Romania.

Spotlights – This year’s highly anticipated titles featuring some of the biggest names in front of and behind the camera.

○ Alice, Darling, Director Mary Nighy. 2022, Canada, USA.

○ Call Jane, Director Phyllis Nagy. 2022, USA.

○ Causeway, Director Lila Neugebauer. 2022, USA

○ The Lost King, Director Stephen Frears. 2022, United Kingdom.

○ Lynch/Oz, Director Alexandre O. Philippe. 2022, USA.

○ “Sr.”, Director Chris Smith. 2022, USA.

○ Turn Every Page – The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb, Director Lizzie Gottlieb. 2022, USA.

○ Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, Eric Appel. 2022, USA.

World View – Works that demonstrate the diversity and vitality of contemporary international cinema from some of the globe’s most exciting filmmakers.

○ A E I O U – A Quick Alphabet of Love, Director Nicolette Krebitz. 2022, Germany, France.

○ Aftersun, Director Charlotte Wells. 2022, United Kingdom, USA.

○ Alcarràs, Director Carla Simón. 2022, Spain, Italy.

○ The Beasts, Director Rodrigo Sorogoyen. 2022, Spain, France.

○ Before I Change My Mind, Director Trevor Anderson. 2022, Canada.ᐩ

○ Before, Now & Then, Director Kamila Andini. 2022, Indonesia.

○ The Blue Caftan, Director Maryam Touzani. 2022, France, Morocco, Belgium, Denmark.

○ The Box, Director Lorenzo Vigas. 2021, Mexico, USA.

○ Boy from Heaven, Director Tarik Saleh. 2022, Sweden, France, Finland.

○ Burning Days, Director Emin Alper. 2022, Turkey, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Greece, Croatia.

○ Close, Director Lukas Dhont. 2022, Belgium, Netherlands, France.

○ Corsage , Director Marie Kreutzer. 2022, Austria.

○ Falcon Lake, Director Charlotte Le Bon. 2022, Canada, France.

○ Holy Spider, Director Ali Abbasi. 2022, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, France.

○ Leonor Will Never Die, Director Martika Ramirez Escobar. 2022, Philippines.

○ The Line, Director Ursula Meier. 2022, Switzerland, France, Belgium.

○ Love Life, Director Kôji Fukada. 2022, Japan, France.

○ Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Director Antonio Lukich. 2022, Ukraine.

○ Millie Lies Low, Director Michelle Savill. 2021, New Zealand.

○ Oink, Director Mascha Halberstad. 2022, Netherlands.

○ Pamfir, Director Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk. 2022, Ukraine, France, Poland, Germany, Chile.

○ Return to Dust, Li Ruijun. 2022, China.

○ Subtraction, Director Mani Haghighi. 2022, Iran, France.

○ Viking, Director Stéphane Lafleur. 2022, Canada.

○ Xalé, Director Moussa Sene Absa. 2022, Senegal, Ivory Coast.

Non/Fiction – Compelling and provocative, these contemporary docs encourage viewers to see the world through a different lens.

○ American Pain, Director Darren Foster. 2022, USA.

○ Butterfly in the Sky, Director Bradford Thomason, Director Brett Whitcomb. 2022, USA.

○ Chop & Steele, Director Ben Steinbauer, Director Berndt Mader. 2022, USA.

○ Crows Are White, Director Ahsen Nadeem. 2022, USA, Japan, Ireland.

○ Good Night Oppy, Director Ryan White. 2022, USA.

○ Nothing Lasts Forever, Director Jason Kohn. 2022, USA.

○ The Picture Taker, Director Phil Bertelsen. 2022, USA.

○ Tantura , Director Alon Schwarz. 2022, Israel, USA.

○ The Thief Collector, Director Allison Otto. 2022, USA.

○ The YouTube Effect, Director Alex Winter. 2022, USA.

After Hours – Bringing together the odd, eerie, thrilling, and downright weird, this is the home of cult classics in the making.

○ Attachment, Director Gabriel Bier Gislason. 2022, Denmark.

○ Christmas Bloody Christmas, Director Joe Begos. 2022, USA.

○ Huesera, Director Michelle Garza Cervera. 2022, Mexico, Peru.

○ Kids vs. Aliens, Director Jason Eisener. 2022, USA.

○ Mister Organ, Director David Farrier. 2022, New Zealand.

○ Sick, Director John Hyams. 2022, USA.

○ Sick of Myself, Director Kristoffer Borgli. 2022, Norway, Sweden.

○ Smoking Causes Coughing, Director Quentin Dupieux. 2022, France.

From the Vaults – Film classics come alive as they were meant to be seen – on the big screen!

○ A Confucian Confusion, Director Edward Yang. 1994, Taiwan.

○ Orlando, Director Sally Potter. 1992, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, France, Netherlands.ᐩ

● 30th Anniversary

○ Pink Flamingos, Director John Waters. 1972, USA.

● 50th Anniversary

○ Rittenhouse Square, Director Robert Downey Sr. 2005, USA.

● Presented in 35MM

○ Sorcerer, Director William Friedkin. 1977, USA.

● Presented in 35MM

● 45th Anniversary

Filmadelphia – Showcasing the most dynamic and talented voices from the Greater Philadelphia area.

○ A Woman on the Outside, Director Lisa Riordan Seville, Director Zara Katz. 2022, USA.

○ Gradually, Then Suddenly: The Bankruptcy of Detroit, Director Sam Katz, Director James McGovern. 2022, USA.

○ Land of Gold, Director Nardeep Khurmi. 2022, USA.

○ Not for Nothing, Director Tim Dowlin, Director Frank Tartaglia. 2022, USA.

○ Rittenhouse Square, Director Brandon Eric Kamin. 2022, USA.

○ This Is My Black, Director Stephen Adetumbi, Director Jarrett Roseborough. 2022, USA.

○ Your Friend, Memphis, Director David P. Zucker. 2022, USA, Italy.

Made in USA – Lo-fi gems and new indie classics that offer a fresh perspective on today’s America.

○ Blood Relatives, Director Noah Segan. 2022, USA.

○ Every Day in Kaimukī, Director Alika Tengan. 2022, USA.ᐩ

○ Nanny, Director Nikyatu Jusu. 2022, USA.

○ Next Exit, Director Mali Elfman. 2022, USA.

○ Something in the Dirt, Director Justin Benson, Director Aaron Moorhead. 2022, USA.

Cinema de France – Sharing a language with some of cinema’s most revered classics and legendary auteurs, these new films have that certain je ne sais quoi.

○ Five Devils, Director Léa Mysius. 2022, France.

○ Forever Young, Director Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. 2022, France.

○ The Innocent, Director Louis Garrel. 2022, France.

○ The Night of the 12th, Director Dominik Moll. 2022, France, Belgium.

○ The Passengers of the Night, Director Mikhaël Hers. 2022, France.

○ Return to Seoul, Director Davy Chou. 2022, France, Germany, Belgium, Qatar.

○ Rodeo, Director Lola Quivoron. 2022, France.

Green Screen – In Honor of the Philadelphia Film Society’s inaugural year producing the Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival, introducing Green Screen. From animal welfare to the effects of climate change, these thought-provoking films address urgent environmental issues.

○ All That Breathes, Director Shaunak Sen. 2002, India, United Kingdom, USA.ᐩ

○ How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Director Daniel Goldhaber. 2022, USA.

○ Rebellion, Director Maia Kenworthy, Director Elena Sanchez Bellot. 2021, United Kingdom.

○ The Smell of Money, Director Shawn Bannon. 2022, USA.ᐩ

Sight & Soundtrack – Featuring rockumentaries, musician biopics, and films centered on the unifying power of music.

○ Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues, Director Sacha Jenkins. 2022, USA.

○ Meet Me in the Bathroom, Director Will Lovelace, Director Dylan Southern. 2022, United Kingdom.

○ Rebel, Director Adil El Arbi, Director Bilall Fallah. 2022, Belgium, Luxembourg, France.

○ The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlisle, Director Kathlyn Horan. 2022, USA.

○ Taurus, Director Tim Sutton. 2022, USA.

State of the Union – Stories of some of the most significant figures and events in American politics and diplomacy, which continue to shape the future of the nation’s democracy.

○ Boycott , Director Julia Bacha. 2021, USA.ᐩ

○ The Exiles, Director Ben Klein, Director Violet Columbus. 2022, USA, Taiwan, France, China.ᐩ

○ The Grab, Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite. 2022, USA.ᐩ

○ Loudmouth, Director Josh Alexander. 2022, USA.ᐩ

○ Retrograde, Director Matthew Heineman. 2022, USA.ᐩ

○ Shouting Down Midnight, Director Gretchen Stoeltje. 2022, USA.ᐩ

Short Films

○ A Short Story, Director Bi Gan.

○ Beware of Trains, Director Emma Calder.

○ Bump, Director Maziyar Khatam.

○ The Cave, Director Kim Jinman, Director Chon Jiyoung.

○ Chaperone, Director Sam Max.

○ Craze, Director Bianka Szelestey.

○ Deerwoods Deathtrap, Director James P. Gannon.

○ Five Cents, Director Aaron Hughes.

○ The Flying Sailor, Director Wendy Tilby, Director Amanda Forbis.

○ Goodbye Jérôme!, Director Adam Sillard, Director Gabrielle Selnet, Director Chloé Farr.

○ I (heart) Jack LaLanne: A Cartoon Memoir, Director LeAnn Erickson.

○ Ice Merchants, Director João Gonzalez.

○ It Feels Personal, Director Hugh Clegg.

○ Kylie, Director Master Sterling.

○ Le Pupille, Director Alice Rohrwacher.

○ Long Line of Ladies, Director Rayka Zehtabchi, Director Shaandiin Tome.

○ Meal on the Plate, Director Chenglin Xie.

○ Memnon, Director Cameron Clay.

○ Persona, Director Moon Sujin.

○ Ro & the Stardust, Director Eunice Levis.

○ She Got Balls!, Director Cheryl Hess.

○ Something in the Garden, Director Marcos Sánchez.

○ The Stand, Director Andrew Bilindabagabo.

○ Stranger Than Rotterdam with Sara Driver, Director Lewie Kloster, Director Noah Kloster.

○ Tank Fairy, Director Erich Rettstadt.

○ Warsha, Director Dania Bdeir.

○ Zoon, Director Jonatan Schwenk.

Please see individual film listings, screening schedule and guests anticipated to attend on https://filmadelphia.org/festival.

The 31st Philadelphia Film Festival is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including:

○ AKA

○ iHeartMedia