28 Mar Philadelphia Monthly Cinema Arts Round-Up: April 2024
BY SOPHIA ABRAHAM-RAVESON
Please refer to the official websites for events to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information about ticketing, reservations, delays, re-scheduling, cancellations, and other guest policies for venues, including relevant COVID-19 requirements. Inclusion in the Philadelphia Monthly Arts Round-Up does not signify cinéSPEAK’s endorsement of an event or organization’s mission or political affiliations.
Spring has sprung in Philadelphia, and flowers aren’t the only thing blooming! Philadelphia’s film programming really blossoms this month, with several small festivals, collaborations, and special screenings. In celebration, we can look forward to an Earth Week program–The Academy of Natural Sciences’ environmental film festival, Confluence: Earthly Films for Philadelphia. cinéSPEAK will present the Opening Night Program, An Evening with Bilal Motley, featuring short documentaries about local environmental issues. It’s also time for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park! You can check out the blooming trees and attend the connected film program entitled Youth Rebellion in Japanese Cinema.
The cinéSPEAK Journal fellows are shining this month, with Erick Barragán Ramírez moderating a discussion after Esperanza Arts Center’s screening of Street Heroines and Ireashia Bennett co-directing Temple University’s Diamond Screen Film and Media Arts Festival. There are too many amazing film events this month, so make sure to read the whole Round-Up for a fuller list of film events happening throughout April.
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 7 PM
The Tuba Thieves
This film is presented as part of the series Strange Truth, a collaborative Haverford College Arts and Humanities program. This doc-fiction hybrid follows Nyke, a Deaf drummer, and Geovanny, a hearing marching band student, amid a streak of tuba thefts from Southern California high schools and set against the soundscape of Los Angeles. Using unconventional open captions and almost no spoken language, The Tuba Thieves is a thoughtful and innovative examination of what it means to listen. Discussion with writer and director Alison O’Daniel and actor Warren “Wawa” Snipe to follow, moderated by Haverford faculty Kristin Lindgren. This film will be shown with open captions and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided at this event.
Cost: $13.50 for adults, $11 for seniors (65+), $9 for children (under 18), and $11 for students with ID
Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Friday, April 5, 2024 at 7 PM
Scribe Video Center and Batikh Batikh Present: Heroic Bodies
Heroic Bodies, a 2022 documentary, highlights the development of the Sudanese women’s movement within the framework of body politics. Researcher and activist Sara Suliman’s directorial debut investigates how the human body became a common refractor for both repression and resistance to the state, patriarchy, and colonial oppression, during the eras of British colonialism and post-independence. Footage includes interviews with leading activists, artists, and academics, plus rare archival footage.
Cost: $5 Suggested Donation
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 3:30 PM
New Divisions
Philadelphia-based filmmaker Sarah Milinski’s short documentary New Divisions sheds light on the vibrant yet troubled past and present of the Mummers Parade. Delving into its track record of exclusion and racist performances, the documentary explores the complexities of cultural change. Through an attempt to diversify the parade, the film prompts critical reflections on whether the creation of a ‘new division’ signifies genuine progress towards inclusivity or merely serves as a band-aid for a deeply rooted problem. Stay for a conversation with the director and additional filmmakers after the screening.
Cost: Free
PhillyCAM — 699 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Friday, April 12 – Sunday, April 14, 2024
The Philadelphia Film Society Presents: Spring Fest 2024
Local cinephiles will enjoy a weekend packed with new unique selections from the international festival circuit, from American indie darlings and eye-opening documentaries to acclaimed foreign titles. Each film at SpringFest, presented by the Philadelphia Film Society, will have its Philadelphia premiere, ensuring an early jump on some of the most anticipated films of 2024. Stay tuned for the full schedule!
Cost: $12-$100 (Prices for individual tickets and weekend badges vary)
Philadelphia Film Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 1 PM
Vinyl & Visuals with VinylTap 215
There are two sides to almost every record. Just like the records they spin, the members of the Vinyl Tap 215 community are multifaceted individuals. This event will feature local DJs and visual artists, creating a unique multimedia experience. There will be vendors selling visual art, used vinyl, and food. While event admission is free, they will be accepting monetary and in-kind donations for Baring House Crisis Nursery, a community-centered program providing safe, temporary childcare for children under age six.
Cost: Free
The Rotunda — 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Street Heroines
Juxtaposing the experiences of Latina artists from New York City, Mexico City, and São Paulo as they navigate a male-dominated subculture to establish artistic identities within chaotic urban landscapes, Street Heroines combines anecdotes from pioneering artists including Lady Pink, Swoon, and Toofly in this first-of-its-kind film to capture the collective outcry of female street artists. This screening features an opening short film, I Am Danny Torres, about a notable muralist in Philadelphia, and a post-screening conversation moderated by cinéSPEAK Philly Beat Fellow Erick Barragán Ramírez.
Cost: Free for students & seniors, $15 for adults
Teatro Esperanza — 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
Friday, April 19 – Sunday, April 21, 2024
Confluence: Earthly Films for Philadelphia
For Earth Week, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University debuts Confluence: Earthly Films for Philadelphia–an environmentally focused film festival in partnership with esteemed Philadelphia-area film organizations, including BlackStar Projects, Bryn Mawr Film Institute, cinéSPEAK, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, and Philadelphia Latino Arts and Film Festival. This weekend-long program showcases a series of films that raise awareness of water-related environmental justice and climate change issues across the globe. Each program will feature a panel discussion with filmmakers, scientists, and advocates, illuminating how community-driven resistance and advocacy efforts help us envision and enact alternatives to the climate crisis.
Cost: $0-$25
Multiple Locations
Friday, April 19, 2024 at 5:30 PM
An Evening with Bilal Motley
Attend the opening night of Confluence: Earthly Films for Philadelphia featuring a program curated by cinéSPEAK. This event will include a pre-screening Happy Hour Mixer with Eavesdrop Radio DJs DJ Junior & lil Dave, two short films directed by Bilal Motley, and a Q&A with the filmmaker and community organizers moderated by cinéSPEAK Journal writer Gabe Castro. The films include Trash & Burn about environmental racism in Chester, PA, and Midnight Oil, a personal documentary about Motley’s experience working at a local oil refinery.
Cost: Free
Cherry Street Pier — 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Friday, April 19 – Saturday, April 27, 2024
Screening Series: Youth Rebellion in Japanese Cinema
This six-film series will explore how the theme of youth rebellion has been explored across six decades of Japanese Cinema ranging from the immediate postwar Japan to early 2000s Cool Japan era. This series is presented in partnership with Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia as part of their annual Cherry Blossom Festival, and is sponsored by the Japan Foundation New York. Click on “RSVP” to check out the full film schedule.
Cost: $10 General Admission, $8 Students/Seniors, Free for Members/UArts Students/UArts Faculty and Staff
Lightbox Film Center — 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 4 PM
Wisdom Gone Wild
This screening is presented as part of “Arts on the Mind,” in collaboration with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Penn Memory Center, Franklin Institute, and Artz Philadelphia. In Wisdom Gone Wild, Philadelphia-based filmmaker Rea Tajiri collaborates with her Nisei mother as they confront the painful curious reality of wisdom ‘gone wild’ in the shadows of dementia. Made over 16 years, the film blends humor and sadness in an encounter between mother and daughter that blooms into an affectionate portrait of love, care, and a relationship transformed. The screening will be followed by a discussion with director Rea Tajiri and Dr. Jason Karlawish from the Penn Memory Center and a reception.
Cost: $20
Philadelphia Film Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 7 PM
The Damned Don’t Cry
Attend the Philadelphia-area premiere of this 2022 film! Living on society’s margins, the once glamorous Fatima-Zahra and her teenage son rely on each other to survive. But the revelation of a family secret pushes their relationship to the breaking point and spurs each to seek a new direction. Anchored by two knockout performances, this sensuous and moving queer drama from Morocco entwines elements of melodrama and neorealism. This screening is co-presented with Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture. Stick around after the film for a remote Q&A with director Fyzal Boulifa.
Cost: $13.50 for adults, $11 for seniors (65+), $9 for children (under 18), and $11 for students with ID
Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Tuesday, April 30 – Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 6 PM
Diamond Screen Film and Media Arts Festival
Invoking Temple founder Russel Conwell’s “acres of diamonds” speech, the 21st Annual Diamond Screen Festival showcases the best work by up-and-coming filmmakers and media artists in Temple’s program. Two days of programming showcase outstanding documentary, narrative, and experimental films alongside a boundary-breaking and inventive media arts exhibition. cinéSPEAK Philly Beat Fellow Ireashia M Bennett co-directs the festival.
Cost: Free
Temple Performing Arts Center — 1837 N Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121
Other Events:
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 5 PM
Screenings: All That Breathes with Director Shaunak Sen
Cost: Free
Annenberg School for Communication — 3620 Walnut Street, Room 109, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Screening: Coming to You with Director Byun Gyuri
Cost: Free
Fisher-Bennett Hall — 3340 Walnut Street, Room, 401, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Friday, April 5, 2024 at 5 PM
Cost: Free
Cherry Street Pier — 121 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Friday, April 5, 2024 at 7 PM
Cosmic Rays Experimental Film Festival: Sightings
Cost: $10 General Admission, $8 Students/Seniors, Free for Members/UArts Students/UArts Faculty and Staff
Lightbox Film Center — 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Friday, April 12, 2024 at 7 PM
Cost: $7.50 General Admission, $5 Students/Seniors, $4 Scribe Members
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 1 PM
Sam Pollard: The Making of Max Roach
Cost: $10 General Admission, Free for Scribe Members
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Wednesday, April 17 – Friday, April 19, 2024 at 7 PM
Cost: $10 General Admission, $5 Students/Seniors/Scribe Members
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Cost: Free
Virtual
*Featured Image: Still from Street Heroines. Courtesy of the film’s website.
Would you like your event to be featured in a future round-up? Please fill out the Philadelphia Monthly Arts Round-Up form at least one month prior to the event. Note: events shared less than a month ahead of time may not be able to make our publishing schedule. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over the publishing of any information provided via the form. Questions: journal@cinespeak.org
Sophia Abraham-Raveson is the Managing Editor for the cinéSPEAK Journal. She has previously worked for several Philadelphia-based film festivals, including BlackStar and Tri-Co Film Festival.
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