Philadelphia Film Festival Sets Lineup
The Philadelphia Film Society announced today the first selections of its 33rd Philadelphia Film Festival, representing the best of the fests from Sundance, Cannes, Telluride, Toronto and beyond. The Festival will feature the Philadelphia premiere of Cannes Palme d’Or winner Anora on 35mm, the culmination of a retrospective of director Sean Baker’s entire filmography, taking place over the course of the three weeks prior to the Festival’s kick-off.
The festival will also present the Venice Film Festival Golden Lion Winner The Room Next Door (director: Pedro Almodóvar) alongside other highly anticipated films A Real Pain (director: Jesse Eisenberg), Bird (director: Andrea Arnold), Blitz (director: Steve McQueen), Conclave (director: Edward Berger), The Girl with the Needle (director Magnus von Horn), I’m Still Here (director: Walter Salles), The Seed of the Sacred Fig (director: Mohammad Rasoulof), and The End (director: Joshua Oppenheimer) starring Tilda Swinton, George MacKay and Moses Ingram. The festival further boasts the world premieres for the Philadelphia stories Audrey’s Children and The Philly Sound…Heard Round the World.
Audrey’s Children explores and celebrates the extraordinary true story of Dr. Audrey Evans, beginning in 1969 at the moment she bursts into Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with her revolutionary ideas. Battling sexism, medical conventions, and the subterfuge of her peers, she stops at nothing to treat her young patients and ultimately co-found the Ronald McDonald House Charities, celebrating its 50th anniversary of helping millions this year. The film was directed by Ami Canaan Mann from a script by Julia Fisher Farbman and stars Natalie Dormer, Jimmi Simpson and Clancy Brown. Stars Natalie Dormer and Jimmi Simpson will be in attendance for the Philadelphia premiere along with other key members of the cast and crew.
The Philly Sound…Heard ‘Round the World chronicles Sigma Studios hit-making legacy and pays loving tribute to the music and the city that gave it life. The magical environment at Sigma gave us more than 200 gold and platinum recordings, as well as 100 number-one hits from artists like Billy Joel, Hall & Oates, David Bowie, The O’Jays, and the Blue Notes. The film is directed by Bill Nicoletti and executive produced by John Legend and Mike Jackson of Get Lifted Film Co., and Al Roker.
“These films are just a small teaser of what is sure to be one of our most thrilling and talked-about Festival line-up ever,” said J Andrew Greenblatt, CEO and Executive Director of the Philadelphia Film Society. “Stay tuned for the rest of the Festival slate with plenty of surprises to come.”
The Philadelphia Film Society (PFS) is the region’s home for classic and contemporary film presentation, education, entertainment, and community building. A nonprofit, community-supported organization, PFS produces the acclaimed Philadelphia Film Festival, curates an extensive year-round film program celebrating the past and future of world cinema, and provides education and community outreach programs, all serving to raise awareness of film as an important art form and vital piece of Philadelphia’s arts and culture community.
Presented at the Film Society Center, Film Society Bourse, and Film Society East, the Film Society’s offerings include film series with a unique global and local perspective, Movies on the Block, PFS On Us, and PFS Teacher Residencies across Philadelphia schools.
Every October, the Philadelphia Film Society hosts the Philadelphia Film Festival which gathers more than 22,000 film lovers and scores of talented filmmakers for ten exceptional days of cinematic splendor. As a world-class film festival, it represents a major contribution to the cultural life of the city and region. It presents, on average, more than 100 films, draws industry guests and panelists, and fosters an interactive community of film professionals and supporters.
Throughout the year, the Film Society’s artistic team scours the world’s most prestigious film festivals – from Sundance to Berlin, Cannes to Toronto – for the year’s most highly anticipated, critically acclaimed, and thought-provoking films. The festival presents these films alongside exclusive events with actors, directors, and industry guests; VIP receptions; and much more that highlights Philadelphia as a place where film is flourishing.