Philadelphia Monthly Cinema Arts Round-Up: July 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 Cinema Arts Round-Up does not signify cinéSPEAK’s endorsement of an event or organization’s mission or political affiliations.

In the first full month of summer, there’s no need to choose between watching a movie and enjoying the warm weather. This July, Philadelphia is full of opportunities to watch films in a variety of beautiful outdoor locations. Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival and Life in Shorts Indie Film Festival both offer screenings at Cherry Street Pier, Street Movies! begins with a screening event outside in Chinatown, and cinéSPEAK is co-presenting a video exchange at Bartram’s Garden as part of an exhibit by Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia and Collaborative Cataloguing Japan. You can also find films screening in a cemetery and along the Schuylkill. Let these events take you around the city to appreciate our special rivers and green spaces while you watch unique films with your community.

Keep reading for a more complete list of community film events happening in Philly this month.

Saturday, July 6 – Sunday, July 7, 2024

Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival Closing Weekend

Still from Suena La Educacion: The Story of Belle Ortiz, screening as part of PHLAFF 2024.

The Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival (PHLAFF) showcases Latinx film and culture across the city over the course of six weeks. There is one weekend left of the 2024 festival. Saturday’s screenings will take place at iMPeRFeCT Gallery in Germantown, and Sunday’s screenings will take place at Cherry Street Pier in Old City. There are many feature films, special programs, and live performances throughout the weekend program, so make sure to check out the schedule and plan your festival weekend.

Cost: $0-$10

Multiple locations

RSVP

Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 14, 2024

Blobfest 25

Promotional image for Blobfest. Courtesy of The Colonial Theatre.

The Phoenixville Blobfest commemorates the classic 1958 movie The Blob and the famous run-out scene filmed at the Colonial Theatre. Celebrate 25 years of Blobfest with multiple screenings of The Blob and other related features. This fun, campy festival also includes a street fair with costume contests and recreations of the run-out scene.

Cost: $13

The Colonial Theatre — 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460

RSVP

Friday, July 12, 2024 at 6 PM

Life in Shorts II

Promotional image for Life in Shorts II. Courtesy of WinMore Media.

WinMore Media–a queer, POC-owned independent creative studio and production company based in South Jersey–is hosting the second annual Life in Shorts Indie Film Festival and Artist Market. This event aims to unite filmmakers, local artists, and diverse audiences for a single evening dedicated to showcasing unique films and celebrating art as a whole. First, shop unique art from local artist vendors, then wrap up the night with refreshments and a screening of unique indie short films.

Cost: $20

Cherry Street Pier — 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106

RSVP

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 7 PM

Love and Communication

Still from Love and Communication. Courtesy of Bryn Mawr Film Institute.

This special screening of a drama from New Jersey-based filmmaker James J. Christy sheds light on the little-depicted experiences of autism parents. As Megan and Rob struggle to find the right program for their autistic son, the couple must navigate a Kafkaesque bureaucracy and strains in their own relationship. Stick around after the film for a conversation with the director.

Cost: $9-13.50

Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

RSVP

Friday, July 19, 2024 at 8 PM

Video Letter Exchange: Community of Images

Promotional image for Video Letter Exchange: Community of Images. Image created by Nadia Hironaka. Courtesy of Collaborative Cataloging Japan.

This special screening, co-presented by cinéSPEAK, accompanies the exhibition Community of Images: Japanese Moving Image Artists in the US, 1960s-1970s. A nod to The Video Letter (1983), a remarkable compilation ­exchange of video letters that took place between two video artists, this contemporary video letter exchange is led by Philadelphia-based artist Nadia Hironaka, who organized it with three other US and Japan-based artists. The final piece will premiere as a single screening along with The Video Letter. Before the screening, Philadelphia-based Japanese-Taiwanese artist Eiko Fan will perform her Live Wood Sculpture. 

Cost: $10 (sliding scale)

Bartram’s Garden — 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19143

RSVP

Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 8 PM

Street Movies!: Chinatown

Image of a past Street Movies! screening. Courtesy of Scribe Video Center.

Scribe Video Center’s Street Movies! returns this July and August, bringing independent, award-winning films from local and international filmmakers to outdoor community spaces throughout the city. Screenings are free, open to the public, and family-friendly. Each night will feature a live performance and a specially curated lineup of short films that celebrates culture and community, explores social issues, and sparks engaging discussion. Street Movies! opening night will take place in Chinatown. Stay tuned for the rest of the program, taking place throughout August.

Cost: Free

Chinatown — 227 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

RSVP

Friday, July 26, 2024 at 7 PM

Cinema in the Cemetery: Vampire’s Kiss

Still from Vampire’s Kiss. Courtesy of Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Experience movie magic amongst the tombs in this outdoor cinema series co-presented with the Philadelphia Film Society. In this 1989 dark comedy horror, Nicholas Cage descends into madness as he believes he is transforming into a vampire. At 7 PM there will be a popup market featuring local artists and vendors, at 8 PM there will be trivia inspired by Vampire’s Kiss with prizes, and at 8:30 PM the film screening will begin. There will also be beverages from Philadelphia Brewing Company.

Cost: $2.50-$20

Laurel Hill East — 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132

RSVP

Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 2 PM

The Automat: Screening and Filmmaker Q&A

Movie poster for The Automat. Courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Featuring photographs from the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Print and Picture Collection and filmed locally, The Automat tells the 100-year story of the iconic restaurant chain Horn & Hardart, the inspiration for Starbucks. From the perspective of former customers, including entertainer Mel Brooks, Starbucks founder Howard Schultz, and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we watch a business climb to its peak success and then grapple with fast food in a forever changed America. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker, Lisa Hurwitz; Horn & Hardart Automat Coffee and pastries will be served.

Cost: Free

Parkway Central Library — 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

RSVP

Other Events:

Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 7 PM

Viva Video Presents: Thesis

Cost: $9-13.50

Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Thursdays, July 11, 18, and 25, 2024 at 8:30 PM

Movie Nights on the Schuylkill Banks

Cost: Free

Schuylkill Banks (exact location varies)

Friday, July 12, 2024 at 7 PM

ICA Summer 2024 Opening Celebration

Cost: Free

Institute of Contemporary Art — 118 South 36th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104

Friday, July 26, 2024 at 7 PM

Movie Night: Migration

Cost: Free

Bartram’s Garden — 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 7 PM

Philly Premiere Double Feature: Spirit Riser and Psychic Vampire

Cost: $14.93

PhilaMOCA — 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

Now through Saturday, August 3, 2024

Dream House: Inside Music + Video

Cost: Free

Asian Arts Initiative — 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

*Featured Image: Image from the 2024 cinéSPEAK Confluence event at Cherry Street Pier.

Would you like your event to be featured in a future round-up? Please fill out the Philadelphia Monthly Cinema 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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