27 Aug Philadelphia Monthly Cinema Arts Round-Up: September 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.
Even if we don’t have to worry about grades and homework anymore, the start of September can be anxiety-inducing. It marks an end to a summer that always felt like it just started, a sign of shorter days and colder nights to come. On the other hand, September offers fresh beginnings, relief from the heat and humidity, and, at least in Philadelphia, a TON of incredible independent film programs.
One exciting aspect of this month is how many local film festivals are happening: there’s the Phoenixville Film Festival, Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival (PUFF), and 27th Annual FirstGlance Film Fest Philly. There are also several opportunities to celebrate Philly filmmakers, including Scribe Video Center’s Producers Forum with Irit Reinheimer, the IPMF Local Filmmaker Screening, a special screening of the new Philly-directed feature Those Who Wait, Temple University’s MFA student thesis film screening, and a mid-career retrospective featuring the work of Philadelphia-raised Erika Alexander.
With so much happening this month, make sure to read the full list below to get the details on the many community and independent film events happening in our city.
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Those Who Wait
Check out this debut of a local film, directed by Chani Bockwinkel and Ty Burdenski. A poetic retelling of the Millerite doomsday movement that swept across America in the 1840s, the film follows the town of Portland, Maine as its residents navigate waves of apocalyptic prophecy and disappointment. Mixing the genres of historic reenactment with fantastic parables, this queer gaze into the colonial past explores the powers and perils of collective refusal.
Cost: $10-$14
Film Society Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 6 PM
Monkey Man
Attend this special back to school celebration featuring a screening of Dev Patel’s Monkey Man. At 6 PM, enjoy light food and mix and mingle with the International House of Philadelphia community and program partners. The film screening will start at 7 PM, and afterward Bedatri D. Choudhury (cultural journalist, the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and board member of cinéSPEAK) will facilitate a post-screening talkback. This event is presented by International House of Philadelphia, produced by cinéSPEAK, and in partnership with The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival.
Cost: $1-$10 (suggested donation)
The Rotunda — 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Friday, September 6, 2024 at 7 PM
Producers Forum: Irit Reinheimer
Scribe Video Center and Jewish Currents present a 20th-anniversary screening of Young Jewish And Left, a 55-minute documentary that weaves interviews and experimental filmmaking to build a conversation about queer culture, Jewish Arab history, secular Yiddishkeit, anti-racist analysis, and religious/spiritual traditions into a multi-layered portrait of Leftist Jewish politics in 2003. After the screening, stay for a discussion with co-director Irit Reinheimer and film subjects Ezra Berkley Nepon and Nava EtShalom, all of whom are Philly-based. The conversation will be moderated by Sol Brager, Director of Community Engagement at Jewish Currents.
Cost: $4-$7.50
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 6 PM
Las Raíces: Stories of Identity, Belonging, and Freedom
This is the 3rd Annual Local Filmmaker Showcase presented by Independence Public Media Foundation (IPMF) and produced by cinéSPEAK. The program showcases films about finding and staying connected to our roots as the ultimate path to freedom in a society that tells us to get in and fit in. Films screening include The Seed of Love es Paz (Obed Arango & David Villalvazo), Tell Me When You Get Home. (Tshay), Barrio Television (Christina DiPasquale), Fury *Scene Teaser* from Eros: Fragile as it is Free (Caitlin Green), How to Play Anqi 怎麼玩暗棋(Sophie Aguila), and No Way Home (Danie Harris). Stay for a post-screening Q&A with the filmmakers, moderated by cinéSPEAK Journal contributor Gabe Castro.
Cost: Free
Asian Arts Initiative — 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Thursday, September 19 – Monday, September 22, 2024
PJFM Digital Media Festival: Digital Chutzpah 2024
Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media (PJFM)’s annual digital media festival celebrates innovative visual storytelling by directors, designers, content creators, video artists, and more from around the world. This four-day program features interactive media, films, music, and panels around Judaism in the ever-evolving digital world. Programs include the film GENESIS: SEED 913, a selection of Jewish animated shorts, and a performance and discussion about the award-winning audio documentary, The Nightingale Of Iran.
Cost: $1-$25
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History — 101 S Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Thursday, September 19 – Sunday, September 22
Phoenixville Film Festival
Phoenixville Film Festival is a new annual event that takes place in the historic town of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania at The Colonial Theatre. The festival is a celebration of independent film that includes film screenings, filmmakers panels and workshops, after-parties, and an awards ceremony. In its first year ever, the festival is aimed at attracting independent film fans and filmmakers alike. You’ll get to spend four amazing days and nights exchanging ideas, making new contacts, and enjoying some compelling and interesting films encompassing a wide range of tastes.
Cost: $8-$65
The Colonial Theatre — 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
Friday, September 20, 2024 at 6 PM
Philly Climate Works and cinéSPEAK present Razing Liberty Square
Attend this community screening and conversation with local organizers leading the fight for housing rights and climate justice. Films include What Needs to Be Done: Six Stories of Built to Last (short film) and Razing Liberty Square (feature film). Stay for a post-screening community conversation facilitated by cinéSPEAK Journal contributor Gabe Castro, featuring organizers from Philly Thrive, Save Chinatown Coalition, HERE 4 Climate Justice Coalition (Housing Equity, Repair, and Electrification for Climate Justice), and Hunting Park Neighborhood Association.
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can
Asian Arts Initiative — 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tuesday, September 24 – Sunday, September 29, 2024
Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival (PUFF)
The Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival (PUFF) is an alternative film festival, founded in 2016 to bring new and undiscovered films to the diverse community in Philadelphia. More than just a horror film festival, each year PUFF includes an eclectic mix of features, short films and music videos, including sci-fi, action, documentary, bizarre, drama and more. Check out the full schedule and plan to see some fun and quirky genre films at this filmmaker-centric festival.
Cost: $10-$125
Theatre Exile — 1340-48 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 7:30 PM
2024 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour
The 2024 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour is a 110-minute theatrical program of seven short films curated from the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, including three Festival Award-winning titles. Audiences can enjoy a mix of fiction, documentary, and animated shorts that are funny, sad, inspiring, and full of strong characters. Driven by innovation and experimentation, the Short Film Program seeks out filmmaking’s most original voices from around the world. Click the RSVP link to learn about the films in the program.
Cost: $14.93
PhilaMOCA — 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Friday, September 27 – Sunday, September 29, 2024
27th Annual FirstGlance Film Fest Philly
FirstGlance Film festivals began in 1996 in the basement of a small theater in Center City Philadelphia. It started as a small theater company that helped fellow filmmakers get their projects shown in a public venue. It has grown since then, and is now celebrating its 27th year.
Spend the weekend in the historic Old City area and experience indie films from the area and across the globe. The festival will include features, shorts, documentaries, web series, student films and more.
Cost: Varies
PFS Bourse Theater — 400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
More Events:
Sunday, September 1, 2024 at 3:15 PM
Cost: $10-$14
Film Society Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 8 PM
Music is a Visual Medium Screening Series
Cost: $10
Solar Myth — 1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Wednesdays, September 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2024 at 7 PM
Cost: Free
Cira Green — 129 South 30th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Monday, September 9, 2024 at 6 PM
Women Filmmakers: Carrie Rickey and Susan Seidelman
Cost: Free
Barnes & Noble Philadelphia — 1708 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19103
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 7 PM
Cost: Free
Film Society Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 5 PM
Diamond Screen: MFA Thesis Screening
Cost: Free
Temple Student Center – 1755 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 7 PM
Be Reel Black Cinema Presents: Mo’ Better Blues
Cost: $10-$14
Film Society Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 1 PM
Fishadelphia’s Seafood Stories Extravaganza!
Cost: Free
Parkway Central Library — 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Friday, September 20, 2024 at 7 PM
Producers Forum: DeeDee Halleck
Cost: $4-$7.50
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 7 PM
Erika Alexander Mid-Career Retrospective
Cost: $9-$14
Film Society Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, 2024
Cost: $10-$14
Film Society Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Friday, September 27, 2024 at 7 PM
Cost: $4-$7.50
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
*Featured Image: Still from short film Alok directed by Alex Hedison. Courtesy of Sundance.
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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