26 Sep Philadelphia Monthly Cinema Arts Round-Up: October 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, rescheduling, 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.
If you like your movies scary, spooky, or haunted, then October is the month for you! There are two queer horror film events this month that we’re especially excited about: cinéSPEAK and Ghouls Next Door are co-presenting a screening of I Saw the TV Glow, and Fat Lady Brewing is hosting Queering Fear: The Horror Genre and the Queer Experience.
And if you find real life scary enough already, there are plenty of non-horrifying film screenings for you to enjoy as well. Several local festivals are happening this month, including Diamond Docs Film Festival, Philadelphia Film Festival, and People Power Media Fest. There’s also an opportunity to see locally made films-in-progress with cinéSPEAK’s In Process with Philadelphia Animation Ensemble. October also marks one full year of the war and genocide in Gaza–South Philly Autonomous Cinema is recognizing this ongoing violence with a screening of the Palestinian film Chronicle of a Disappearance that will help raise funds for the mutual aid project Gaza Champions.
Read the full round-up below to get the details on the many amazing film events happening in Philly this month.
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 7:30 PM
An Evening with Film Critic Carrie Rickey: Cléo from 5 to 7
Attend this event celebrating the release of film critic Carrie Rickey’s new biography, A Complicated Passion: The Life and Work of Agnès Varda. Rickey will be signing copies of her book from 7-7:30 PM, and will then introduce Cléo from 5 to 7–a landmark feature of feminist cinema–and host a post-film Q&A about the movie and Varda’s larger body of work. Cléo from 5 to 7 is a groundbreaking work of French New Wave Cinema from 1962 which chronicles two hours in the life of a Parisian pop singer. It is in French with English subtitles.
Cost: $7.50 – $13
The Ambler Theater – 108 East Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 5 PM
cinéSPEAK Presents: In Process with Philadelphia Animation Ensemble
Join cinéSPEAK for an intimate salon-style conversation with members of Philadelphia Animation Ensemble as they share works-in-progress. The Philadelphia Animation Ensemble is an open collective of animators with vastly different techniques and styles who come together to play collaborative games and delight in experimental moving image. Presenting artists at this In Process include Amy Lee Ketchum, Cybee, and Maisie O’Brien.
Cost: $5-$15 sliding scale; No one turned away
Making Worlds Bookstore and Social Center — 210 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 8 PM
Palestine Fundraiser and Film Screening: Chronicle of a Disappearance
Join South Philly Autonomous Cinema in marking one year of the current war and genocide in Gaza with Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman’s first feature film, Chronicle of a Disappearance (1996). Winner of the Venice Film Festival’s Best First Film Prize, this black comedy portrays the everyday absurdities of life under Israeli occupation: struggling to find an apartment in West Jerusalem, Holy Land souvenir shops, Israeli soldiers taking a piss on the side of the road. All proceeds from this screening will go to the mutual aid project Gaza Champions, which provides direct funds for Palestinians seeking to flee Gaza or (eventually) rebuild their lives in Palestine.
Cost: $10; No One Turned Away; Extra Donations Encouraged
Vox Populi — 319 North 11th Street #3, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Friday, October 11, 2024 at 5 PM
Diamond Docs Film Festival
This single-evening festival is a great opportunity to see short documentary films by emerging filmmakers at Temple University. Temple’s rich history in groundbreaking documentary film lives on through the socially engaged and innovative documentary films produced by their film and media arts students each year. Capturing stories from Vietnam to rural Pennsylvania, Temple documentary filmmakers have been featured in festivals around the world. This screening showcases some captivating recent documentary films by both undergraduate and graduate students. Prepare to be inspired by films that capture the world from a new and intriguing perspective.
Cost: Free
Temple Student Center – 1755 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Thursday, October 17 – Sunday, October 27, 2024
Philadelphia Film Festival
The Philadelphia Film Festival, presented by the Philadelphia Film Society, is celebrating its 33rd year with many screenings of Philadelphia premieres across ten days. Each year, the Film Society’s artistic team scours the world’s most prestigious film festivals–from Sundance to Berlin, Cannes to Toronto–for the year’s most highly anticipated, critically acclaimed, and innovative films. While featuring celebrated films from established directors, the Philadelphia Film Festival also provides a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work. Check here for updates about the festival lineup.
Cost: Prices for tickets and badges vary
Multiple Locations
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 6 PM
Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project
Marion Stokes was a Philadelphia activist, librarian, and public-access television producer who secretly taped thirty years of television, 24 hours a day, from 1975 until her death in 2012. Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project is a 2019 documentary about her unique work. After the screening, stay for a talk back and Q&A session centered on archives and local media.
Cost: Free
Parkway Central Library — 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Saturday, October 19 – Saturday, October 26, 2024
People Power Media Fest
People Power Media Fest is an annual convening of mediamakers from across the Philadelphia region. This year’s festival includes PhillyCAM’s 15th Anniversary Dance Party Fundraiser, Community Media Today Broadcast, People Power Forum, and Telling Our Stories Exhibit at City Hall.
Cost: $0-$15
Multiple Locations
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 7 PM
The Be Reel Micheaux Screening Series Presents: Attack the Block
This Be Reel Micheaux film screening is part of Bryn Mawr Film Institute’s “Spooky Season” programming. When an alien invasion turns their South London apartment complex into a battleground, it’s up to a resourceful group of teens—armed only with fireworks, motor bikes, and a samurai sword—to defend their home. Packed with laughs, scares, and rip-roaring action, this modern horror classic from 2011 launched the career of John Boyega. The feature will be preceded by the short film Jolly Butcher (2022). Don’t forget to stick around after the movie for a talkback with Vincent Williams and Len Webb of The Micheaux Mission and Stephanye Watts of Be Reel Black Cinema Club.
Cost: $10.50-$15
Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 7 PM
cinéSPEAK x Ghouls Next Door Present: I Saw the TV Glow
Join cinéSPEAK and Ghouls Next Door for this “In Case You Missed It” screening of I Saw the TV Glow. This 2024 film directed by Jane Schoenbrun is a fantastical exploration of gender and features original music from a variety of contemporary indie rock musicians. Ghouls Next Door is an award-winning media literacy show that explores the societal, historical, and scientific influences behind our cinematic fears.
Cost: $5-$10 sliding scale; No one turned away
The Rotunda — 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 5:30 PM
The Films of Mtume Gant: Black Cinema on the Margins
Attend this screening of the early cinematic work of Mtume Gant, a filmmaker born and based in New York City. His work explores issues of nihilism and the psychological warfare inflicted on the Black artists trying to navigate the exploitative political economy of today’s America. Films to be screened are SPIT (2015), White Face (2017) and Mold Malachi (2022). There will also be a small preview of his feature length film The Hand that Feeds, an opening address by the filmmaker, and a Q&A.
Cost: $0-$25
Making Worlds Bookstore and Social Center — 210 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Queering Fear: The Horror Genre and the Queer Experience
This fun Halloweekend event will consist of a film, drag performance, panel discussion, vendors, and a costume contest with prizes. Celebrate Gay Christmas in community–and costume if you like! After a film screening, there will be a discussion about how queer people see themselves depicted and reflected in the horror genre, and why they find it entertaining. The panel will also discuss the “final girl” concept, mental health and trauma, and humor and camp. The event is 21+ unless accompanied by an adult or legal guardian.
Cost: $13-$45
Fat Lady Brewing — 4323 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127
More Events:
Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2024 at 8 PM
Space Melt Cinema Presents: October at Cartesian Brewing
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Cartesian Brewing — 1326 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Friday, October 4, 2024 at 4 PM
Asian Arts Initiative Open House
Cost: Free
Asian Arts Initiative — 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Friday, October 4, 2024 at 6 PM
Cost: Free
The People’s Gallery Project — 1034 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Friday, October 4, 2024 at Dusk
First Friday Movies Under the Stars & Stripes: Night of the Living Dead
Cost: $8
Betsy Ross House — 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 1 PM
Madan Sara: A Film by Etant Dupain
Cost: Free
Parkway Central Library — 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
October 5, 10, 26, and 31, 2024
Not So Silent Cinema: Nosferatu
Cost: Varies
Multiple locations
Monday, October 7, 2024 at 7 PM
Bok Movie Club presents: Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Cost: Free
Bok Building — 1901 South 9th Street, Auditorium, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 7 PM
Philly Premiere: The Forest Hills
Cost: Free
Monster Vegan — 1229 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 4 PM
Cost: $0-$25
Making Worlds Bookstore and Social Center — 210 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Presents: Annual Meeting & Arts Party 2024
Cost: $25-$10,000
Bok Building — 1901 South 9th Street, Auditorium and Rooftop Bar, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 7 PM
Viva Video Presents: Cemetery Man
Cost: $10.50-$15
Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7 PM
Garden State Film Festival: An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films
Cost: $15
The Scottish Rite Auditorium — 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ 08107
Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 10 AM
Cost: $7.50 – $13
The Ambler Theater — 108 East Butler Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Exhumed Films presents: Horror-Thon Post-Mortem Double Feature
Cost: $18.66
PhilaMOCA — 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Philly Premiere: Black Eyed Susan with Director Q&A
Cost: $14.93
PhilaMOCA — 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Gogol Bordello: Scream of My Blood Screening and Performance
Cost: $39.14
Underground Arts — 1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 7 PM
It Came from the Archives: An Archives Month Philly Short Film Showcase
Cost: Free
PhilaMOCA — 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 7 PM
Cost: $10.50-$15
Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
*Featured Image: Image from the animated performance The Artist, to be presented by Maisie O’Brien at cinéSPEAK Presents: In Process with Philadelphia Animation Ensemble. Photo credit: Katherine Fahey.
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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