28 Sep Philadelphia Monthly Arts Round-Up: October 2023
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.
In this first full month of fall, the city’s film event calendar is filling up with festivals, workshops, and Halloween screenings. Philly film festivals happening this month include FirstGlance Film Festival Philadelphia, Philadelphia Film Festival, and PhillyCAM People Powered Media Fest, all featuring different types of film and media, from community-made broadcasting media to the newest mainstream independent feature films.
Other highlights from the month include a special film screening with Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly, the first Spanish-language film series in FDR Park, and the Asian Arts Initiative Annual Block Party. And of course, it wouldn’t be October without the spooky. If you’re looking for Halloween-related programming, make sure to check out cinéSPEAK Halloweekend, Reel Talk Philly’s special Friday the 13th meet up, and Hocus Pocus on the Delaware River.
Thursday, October 5 – Sunday, October 8, 2023
26th Annual FirstGlance Film Festival Philadelphia
FirstGlance celebrates and showcases indie films each year to audiences who love and appreciate true indie film and filmmaking. Enjoy a weekend of screenings and afterparties in Old City, just steps from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Experience the birth of the country and the birth of indie film festivals with FirstGlance.
Cost: $15 – $150
PFS Bourse Theater — 400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Sunday, October 8 and Sunday, October 15, 2023 at 6:30 PM
¡CineMÁS!: Movie + Mercado en FDR Park
Fairmount Park Conservancy presents the first ever film series in the park presented entirely in Spanish (with English subtitles). The family-friendly selection of movies screened in the evening will be preceded by a food and craft market featuring local vendors from the Latino community. Vivo will screen on October 8 and Coco on October 15. These screenings are outdoors, so grab a blanket or lawn chair and celebrate the language, traditions, and vibrant cultures of the Spanish-speaking world and the immigrant communities of South Philadelphia.
Cost: Free
FDR Park Boathouse — South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 5 PM
Diamond Docs
Temple University’s rich history in groundbreaking documentary films lives on through the socially engaged and innovative documentary films produced by their students each year. This screening showcases some captivating recent documentary films by both undergraduate and graduate students at Temple. Prepare to be moved to action by films that capture the world from a new and intriguing perspective.
Cost: Free
The Reel at the Student Center — 1755 N 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Thursday, October 12 and Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 6:30 PM
Archiving on the Go: Protecting Your Mobile Media with Save
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People’s Media Record is hosting a two-part workshop on mobile media preservation to help you understand how to better protect yourself and your media from risks of surveillance, policing, and content takedowns using the mobile application Save. Preservation professionals from the international digital rights organization OpenArchive will teach you the essential elements of long-term mobile media preservation while providing opportunities for connection and collaboration around this practice. The workshop is open to Philly-based activists, media makers, and community archivists.
Cost: Free
Virtual
Friday, October 13, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Esto No Tiene Nombre: The Movie
Don’t miss the first screening of the powerful filmed version of Esto No Tiene Nombre, a one-woman show written and performed by Denice Frohman that uplifts the oral histories of Latina lesbian elders and women over 50. Told through a series of vignettes, the show places poet/performer Frohman in conversation with her elders to trace lineages of love, desire, and identity. Guided by these first person stories from pre-Stonewall police raids in Philadelphia to first kisses, Esto No Tiene Nombre embraces a powerful living history to chart a path of belonging for the future. After the screening, join Frohman, director/co-creator Alex Torra, and members of the community for a one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes panel discussion that highlights the making of this moving show.
Cost: $10
Taller Puertorriqueño — 2600 North 5th Street Philadelphia, PA 19133
Thursday, October 19 – Sunday, October 29, 2023
Philadelphia Film Festival
Every October, the Philadelphia Film Society hosts the Philadelphia Film Festival, which gathers more than 25,000 dedicated film lovers and scores of talented filmmakers for eleven exceptional days of cinematic splendor. The festival presents these films alongside exclusive events with actors, directors, and industry guests, VIP receptions, and much more that highlight Philadelphia as a place where film is flourishing.
Cost: $12-$1,500
Philadelphia Film Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
Friday, October 20 – Monday, October 23, 2023
PhillyCAM People Powered Media Fest
PhillyCAM’s People Powered Media Fest is about showcasing the creativity that vibrates through the PhillyCAM network and the impact that reverberates, supporting historically marginalized communities with access to equipment, facilities, training, support, and a distribution platform to amplify their voices. The program involves four days of panels, film screenings, and more.
Cost: Free
Virtual and various in-person locations
October 27, 28, and 30, 2023
cinéSPEAK Halloweekend
cineSPEAK’s second annual Halloweekend cinema celebration will showcase the fantastic, the delight, and the horror, in partnership with three brilliant indie film organizations from across Philadelphia. On Friday, October 27, attend an evening of contemporary Black horror shorts with a performance and dance party with N3UR0TIKA, presented with Be Reel Black Cinema Club. On Saturday, October 28, learn and explore through NO EVIL EYE CINEMA’s workshop, Black Femininity as the ‘Monstrousness’. And on Monday, October 30, join Batikh Batikh for a Halaloween evening of horror cinema from the South West Asian North African (SWANA) region raising funds for Palestinian mutual aid groups. This weekend has something for everyone—so prepare your costumes and get ready for a spectacular time!
Cost: $10-20/Pay-What-You-Can
The Rotunda — 4014 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 United States
Other Events:
Monday, October 2, 2023 at 6:30 PM
“Momotaro’s Divine Sea Warriors 桃太郎 海の神兵” Film Night
Cost: Free
Fisher Bennet — 3340 Walnut Street Room 401 Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 6 PM
Cost: $15-$25
Asian Arts Initiative, Pearl Street Viaduct (Outdoors) – 12th & Pearl Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 7 PM
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
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 5:30 PM
A Woman’s Voice is Revolution: Dance and Voice as Islamic Arts
Cost: Free
Widener Auditorium, Penn Museum — 3260 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19104
Thursday, October 5 at 6 PM
Film Screening: Walled Citizen
Cost: Free
InLiquid Gallery in the Crane Building — 1400 North American Suite 108 Philadelphia, PA 19122
Friday, October 6, 2023 at 6:30 PM
First Friday Flicks at the Fountain: The Woman King
Cost: Free
John Welsh Memorial Fountain — Avenue of the Republic Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 2 PM
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Matthias Baldwin Park — 423 N 19th St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 6 PM
Teaching at the End of Times Exhibition Opening
Cost: Free
Atelier Gallery — 1301 N 31st St, Suite 2, Philadelphia PA 19121
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 6:30 PM
Movies By The River: Hocus Pocus
Cost: Free
Glen Foerd on the Delaware — 5001 Grant Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19147
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 7 PM
Le Franc + The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun
Cost: $10 General Admission, $8 Students/Seniors, Free for Members/UArts Students/UArts Faculty & Staff
Lightbox Film Center — 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Wednesday, October 11 and Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Orson Welles & the Golden Age of Hollywood
Cost: Free
Parkway Central Library — 1901 Vine Street Philadelphia, PA 19103
Friday, October 13, 2023 at 7 PM
Cost: Free
Symphony — 1516 N 5th Street Unit 104, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 6 PM
2023 Philadelphia Lantern Slide Salon
Cost: Free
Wagner Free Institute of Science — 1700 West Montgomery Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19121
Friday, October 20, 2023 at 7 PM
Frankford Pause Park Movie Night: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
Cost: Free
Frankford Pause Park — 4673 Paul Street Philadelphia, PA 19124
Friday, October 20, 2023 at 6 PM
Curtis Chin: Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Asian Arts Initiative — 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 1 PM
Spiral Q Peoplehood Parade and Pageant
Cost: Free
Paul Robeson House — 4951 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139 and Clark Park — 4300 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 6 PM
2023 Founder’s Award Celebration
Cost: $200
Fleisher Art Memorial — 719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 7 PM
BlackStar Fall Screening Series: Eve’s Bayou
Cost: Free/Pay-What-You-Can
BOK Auditorium — 800 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Friday, October 27, 2023 at 7 PM
Cost: $10 General Admission, $8 Students/Seniors, Free for Members/UArts Students/UArts Faculty & Staff
Lightbox Film Center — 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Friday, October 27, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Cost: Free for students & seniors, $15 regular tickets
Teatro Esperanza — 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
*Featured Image: Still from Eve’s Bayou. Courtesy of BlackStar.
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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