**Copy Provided by Philadelphia Film Society**
This year’s program encompasses an array of extraordinary films. The festival will open on Thursday, October 16, with WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY, directed, written, and produced by two time Academy Award nominee Rian Johnson and starring Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack and Thomas Haden Church. In the newest installment of the “Knives Out” franchise, Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet.
The Closing Night film, SENTIMENTAL VALUE, a complex family drama with powerful performances from Renate Reinsve, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Stallan Skarsgård, will play on Sunday, October 26.
Special event screenings include the finale of HBO’s limited series TASK, and Amazon Prime’s highly anticipated three-part docuseries ALLEN IV3RSON.SEE THE FULL LINEUP HERE!
This year, eight outstanding titles were selected as Centerpieces. Titles include BUGONIA, featuring Emma Stone as the CEO of a powerful corporation, who is kidnapped by two conspiracy-driven young men convinced she’s an alien bent on Earth’s destruction; FRANKENSTEIN, Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated adaptation that showcases the acclaimed director at his most visionary; HAMNET, Academy Award Winner Chloé Zhao’s stirring drama inspired by William Shakespeare and his wife’s heart-wrenching struggle as they cope with the loss of their son; IS THIS THING ON?, directed by Bradley Cooper, a compelling comedy-drama about a man (Will Arnett) whose life in New York unravels as he faces divorce; ETERNITY stars Elizabeth Olsen as a woman forced to make an impossible choice between her lifelong partner (Miles Teller) and a lost love (Callum Turner); Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT, a riveting political thriller probing repression and morality; JAY KELLY, from Academy Award nominee Noah Baumbach stars, George Clooney and Adam Sandler as they embark on a poignant journey of self-discovery across Europe, confronting life’s most difficult choices; and RENTAL FAMILY, where Brendan Fraser portrays an American actor searching for meaning in Japan and forming unexpected connections through an unusual job.
The Filmadelphia category and the Filmadelphia Shorts Program showcase our unwavering commitment to supporting and celebrating film in Greater Philadelphia, featuring exceptional works by some of the region’s most innovative filmmakers. This year’s lineup includes the World Premieres of two standout Filmadelphia titles: DEAD GIVEAWAY and WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?.
In contrast, the World View category spotlights cinematic voices from around the globe. Highlights include the Franco-Spanish SIRÂT, a gripping tale of a father and son’s search for a missing daughter across southern Morocco and the UK-based drama URCHIN, directed by Harris Dickinson, following a young man’s journey toward redemption as he struggles with addiction.
Additional categories include Masters of Cinema, State of the Union, Spotlights, Focus on Germany, Cinema de France, Made in USA, Non/Fiction, Sight & Soundtrack, After Hours, Special Events and From the Vaults. These sections feature a wide array of noteworthy titles, such as CHRISTY, NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE, ROSEMEAD, and THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE, among many others.
Tickets will go on sale to PFS members on Friday, October 3, and to the general public on Monday, October 6.
Dates to remember: PFF34 is October 16-26
- October 3: Festival tickets on sale for PFS members
- October 6: Festival tickets on sale for public
- October 7 Programmers Panel: Join this year’s panel of programmers as they present and discuss the films prior to their screening at the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival!
- October 6-16: Pre-Festival badge pickup at the Film Society Center (1412 Chestnut St)
- Thursday, October 16: Opening Night Film
- Thursday, October 24: Closing Night Film
