24 Oct Philadelphia Monthly Cinema Arts Round-Up: November 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.
November in Philly is truly bursting at the seams with incredible film screenings, festivals, exhibits, and parties. Start your month out celebrating Día de los Muertos at Fleisher Art Memorial with a procession and Spanish language film screening by the Cineclub El Conejo del Faro. Then mid-month, check out local film festivals Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, DiamondQ Film Festival, and Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Fall Fest. Finally, end your month by celebrating local filmmakers whose films have screened at Philly film festivals in the last year at cinéSPEAK’s Best of Fest. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Philly is a film city!
Other local filmmaker highlights this month include the Ten01 Film Showcase, PAAFF and cinéSPEAK’s screening of Alice Wu’s Saving Face which will be preceded by the short film I Wanna Become the Sky by Philly-based filmmaker Jess X. Snow, and a red carpet premiere of It’s Always That Feeling. There are also several opportunities to see curated shorts programs this month, such as 12Gates and PAAFF’s Contemporary Video Art Exhibition, the All About Love Film Series at the Barnes, and cinéSPEAK’s presentation of Our Right to Gaze 2024.
Read the full round-up below to learn more details about independent and community film events happening in our city this month.
Friday, November 1, 2024 at 7 PM
Ten01 Film Showcase
Attend the Ten01 Showcase, a vibrant celebration of members of 10:01 Media Collective and their completed projects of 2024. This exciting event will feature an array of delectable snacks, refreshing drinks, and captivating films, including works from talented local independent filmmakers in Philadelphia.
Cost: $15
Icebox Project Space — 1400 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 2 PM
Día de los Muertos Celebration and Procession
Join Fleisher Art Memorial for their 12th year of celebrating Day of the Dead with their community as they continue to explore the many different elements of this beautiful tradition in a special Philly way. This event features various activities from 2 PM to 9 PM, including a children’s fair, an artisan market, food trucks, and dance and musical performances. Make sure to check out the closing event: a film screening of El esqueleto de la señora Morales (Rogelio A. González, 1959) presented by the local Spanish language film club Cineclub El Conejo del Faro.
Cost: Free
Fleisher Art Memorial — 719 Catherine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Saturday, November 2 and Wednesday, November 6, 2024
12Gates and PAAFF’s Contemporary Video Art Exhibition 2024
The 6th iteration of the Contemporary Video Art Exhibition celebrates contemporary video art created by artists from South and South-West Asia, North Africa (SSWANA), as well as artists of indentured Indian descent and their diasporas. This 6th edition of the juried show will be co-presented by Twelve Gates Arts (12G) and the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF).
Cost: Free
Twelve Gates Arts — 106 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
Thursday, November 7 – Sunday, November 17, 2024
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF)
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival is hosting its 17th annual festival this November. PAAFF presents the best in Asian & Pacific Islander film and storytelling, through in-person film screenings, online film rentals, and more. There are so many exciting film screenings at this festival, so make sure to check out the full schedule to make the most of it.
Cost: $0-$175
Multiple Locations
Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 5 PM
DiamondQ (LGBTQ+) Film Festival
DiamondQ (LGBTQ+) Film Festival is the annual Temple University Film and Media Arts film festival featuring LGBTQ+ films. The DiamondQ Festival’s 5th year will feature a juried selection of films created by and/or highlighting topics that surround LGBTQ+ artists. In cooperation with the Queer Film Collective, a panel will curate the festival evening which will feature discussions with directors after the screening.
Cost: Free
Temple Student Center – 1755 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 2 PM
All About Love Film Series: Shorts
This special three-part film series is presented in conjunction with the current Barnes exhibition, Mickalene Thomas: All About Love. Curated by BlackStar Film Festival founder Maori Karmael Holmes, each screening explores a theme reflected in All About Love—kinship, femininity, and desire. Desire is the focus of this short film program, which showcases lush, joyful, and tender longing for a world beyond patriarchy. The screening will be followed by a conversation with some of the featured filmmakers moderated by broadcaster and producer Dyana Williams. This program includes access to the Barnes collection and Mickalene Thomas: All About Love exhibition.
Cost: $0-$15
Barnes Foundation — 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 8:30 PM
PAAFF x cinéSPEAK present: Alice Wu’s Saving Face
This year marks 20 years since the international premiere of the acclaimed queer film Saving Face. Saving Face was Alice Wu’s debut feature-length film, before she went on to direct The Half of It (2020). After 20 years, Saving Face remains extremely relevant as an essential Chinese-American and lesbian film. Saving Face will be preceded by the short film I Wanna Become the Sky, which will be making its East Coast Premiere. cinéSPEAK, Queer Space Philly, and Scissors PHL are delighted to collaborate on this special presentation at the 2024 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. This event also includes a pre-screening Queer Space Philly meet-up.
Cost: $17; No one turned away for lack of funds
Asian Arts Initiative — 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Thursday, November 14 – Sunday, November 24, 2024
44th Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Festival: Fall Fest 2024
PJFM’s annual film and media festival will include 12 films, including a shorts program, master class, family event, comedy night, and so much more. PJFM’s 44th festival brings the most unique Jewish international films and digital media content from across the globe, from Philadelphia movie premieres to repertory cinema and collaborative events with local organizations.
Cost: $0-$20
Multiple Locations
Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 5 PM
cinéSPEAK presents: Our Right to Gaze 2024
Our Right to Gaze is an annually curated touring anthology of short films by emerging Black filmmakers, presented by Full Spectrum Features. This is the third year cinéSPEAK has partnered with Full Spectrum Features to screen the program in Philly. This year’s program was curated by Open Television (OTV), a non-profit streaming platform and media incubator for intersectional storytelling, with artists and their creative visions at the center. The films in the program explore the theme “Bittersweet Healing.”
Cost: $10-$15 suggested donation
Making Worlds Bookstore and Social Center — 210 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 7 PM
cinéSPEAK presents: Best of Fests 2024
Join cinéSPEAK for the third annual Best of Fests. This program features short films from Philly-based filmmakers that recently screened at our region’s film festivals, including BlackStar Film Festival, Philadelphia Latino Arts and Film Festival, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, and Diamond Screen Film and Media Arts Festival at Temple University. This year’s program is full of family: family stories, family memory and history, family loss, and unexpected familial joys. The film screening will be followed by a filmmaker Q&A.
Cost: $10-$15 suggested donation
The Rotunda — 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 1 PM
Without Arrows
This film is presented in partnership with Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philadelphia. Without Arrows filmmakers Jonathan Olshefski and Delwin Fiddler Jr. will be in attendance. Without Arrows is an intimate documentary that captures thirteen years in the life of a Lakota family living on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe reservation in South Dakota.
Cost: Free
Film Society Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Red Carpet Premiere: It’s Always That Feeling
Presented by Look At The Wall Productions, this event showcases Philadelphia’s homegrown theatrical talent and expanding cinematic horizons with the premiere of Gigi’s Hozimah’s third feature film, It’s Always That Feeling. The film follows retired actor Harry who, on the eve of his 40th birthday, receives an unexpected visit from a former romantic interest at the home he shares with his wife Dahlia. In addition to the screening, the event includes a red carpet welcome reception, a Q&A with Director Gigi Hozimah, Cinematographer Christian Pinto, and members of the cast, and an afterparty featuring a performance by Kait Faraghan.
Cost: $40
Skinner Studio at Plays & Players — 1714 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
More Events:
Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Exhumed Films Presents: The Dead Zone on 16mm
Cost: $18
The Colonial Theatre — 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 8 PM
Cost: $14.93
PhilaMOCA — 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Off Page Short Play and Film Festival
Cost: $24
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center — 226 North High Street, West Chester, PA 19380
Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Exhumed Films and PhilaMOCA Present: Godzilla Day
Cost: $18.66
PhilaMOCA — 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 7 PM
Cost: $10.50-$15
Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 1 PM
Exhumed Films Presents: Super 16mm Monster-Thon
Cost: $30
The Colonial Theatre — 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 7 PM
The Cathedral of New Emotions and 16mm Animated Short Films
Cost: $16-$18
Lightbox Film Center at The Living Room at Bok — 800 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Creating Rem Lezar with Special Guest Jack Mulcahy
Cost: $18.66
PhilaMOCA — 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Friday, November 15 – Sunday, November 17, 2024
Cost: $20-$40
The Colonial Theatre — 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 6:30 PM and 9 PM
Dan Savage’s 2024 HUMP! Part Two
Cost: $20
FringeArts — 140 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Monday, November 18, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Mazzoni Center Honors George Takei
Cost: $50-$125
Kimmel Center — 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 7 PM
Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers
Cost: $12-$14
Lightbox Film Center at The Living Room at Bok — 800 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 6 PM
WHYY & Esperanza Arts Center Present: ‘Latin Rhythms & Reels’ Film Series: Julia Alvarez
Cost: Free
Esperanza Arts Center — 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness
Cost: Free
Film Society Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 12 PM
2024 Freedom Crossing Film Festival
Cost:
Penn Museum — 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 6 PM
5 Shorts Project 10th Anniversary Celebration
Cost: $50-$250
Braid Mill — 441 High Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144
*Featured Image: Image from a past Fleisher Art Memorial Event. Courtesy of Fleisher Art Memorial. Photo credit: Colibri Workshop and Irene Osorio.
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.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.