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.
There’s a slight chill in the air as we head into October–the perfect time to get cozy and watch some amazing movies! If you’re excited about Halloween, make sure to check out Reel Nomadic’s Horror Fest, a Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival and Girls Like Horror double feature, and the Be Reel Micheaux Screening of Def By Temptation.
Festivals this month include the Philadelphia Film Festival and People Power Media Fest. Also make sure to check out People’s Media Camp, a fundraiser for Gaza, and a program of local films funded by the Leeway Foundation.
Read the full round-up to plan your October film calendar!
Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Black Box Diaries with Filmmaker Q&A
Shiori Ito, a former journalist, is the iconic figure of the MeToo movement in Japan who fought a heroic legal battle against her abuser. Black Box Diaries is her latest documentary about her experience that has received excellent reviews and Oscar buzz. Stay after the film for a Q&A with Ito, and on Friday catch her on a panel discussion.
Cost: Free
Rainey Auditorium at Penn Museum — 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Friday, October 3 – Sunday, October 5, 2025
People’s Media Camp
People’s Media Camp is a three-day gathering organized by People’s Media Record for Philly’s grassroots memory workers and storytellers. The weekend will include workshops, skill shares, roundtables, breakout sessions, screenings, collective mapping, art, and The People’s Bazaar (a free vendor market). Make sure to check out the screening of archival short films on Friday, co-presented with cinéSPEAK.
Cost: Free
Multiple Locations
Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 5 PM
Gaza Mutual Aid Fundraiser Screening and Discussion: Severed
The Healing Hands Fund was started by healthcare workers in Philly committed to supporting healthcare workers, organizations, and hospitals in Palestine. This screening is a fundraiser for prosthetic services in Gaza, where there is the largest number of child amputees in the world. Severed (2025) is a powerful new short documentary that follows Mohamad Sakeh, a teenager from Gaza who lost his leg at 12 and survived five Israeli military assaults. Healing Hands will facilitate a community discussion afterward.
Cost: $0-$25
Making Worlds Bookstore and Social Center — 210 South 45th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 6 PM
Reel Nomadic Presents: Penn Treaty Pictures Horror Fest
Philly pop-up cinema collective Reel Nomadic is bringing a Halloween Horror Movie Marathon to Penn Treaty Park for spooky season! This event is a collaboration with Girls Like Horror, Space Melt Cinema, and Movie Jawn. Films screening include Village of the Damned (1960), Night of the Living Dead (1968), and Godzilla (1954). Pack a blanket, bring your bravest friends, and get ready for a night of monsters, mayhem, and classic scares.
Cost: Free
Penn Treaty Park — 1301 North Beach Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Thursday, October 16 – Sunday, October 26, 2025
34th Philadelphia Film Festival
Every October, the Philadelphia Film Festival transforms the city into a global stage for cinematic storytelling, welcoming tens of thousands of film lovers, emerging talents, and celebrated filmmakers for an electrifying 11-day experience. Stay tuned for this year’s lineup!
Cost: $7-$500
Multiple Philadelphia Film Society Locations
Friday, October 17, 2025 at 6 PM
Leeway Foundation Presents: An Artist and Activist Screening
Since 2021, Leeway’s Media Artist and Activist Residency has awarded media artists and social justice organizations $25,000 grants to collaborate in documenting, reframing, and amplifying the issues and campaigns of the organization. This program will screen works made by grantees, featuring local organizations Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project, FREER Records, The People’s Kitchen, Asian Americans United, Philly Thrive, and the Philadelphia Folklore Project.
Cost: Free
PhillyCAM — 699 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Friday, October 24, 2025 at 7 PM
An Evening with Sam Feder: Heightened Scrutiny
Attend the Philadelphia premiere of this new Sam Feder documentary. Amid the surge in anti-trans legislation that ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio battles in the courtroom, he must also fight against media bias, exposing how the narratives in the press influence public perception and the fight for transgender rights. Filmmaker Sam Feder will be in attendance.
Cost: $12 (sliding scale)
cinéSPEAK at Calvary — 801 South 48th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 10 AM
PhillyCAM Presents: People Power Media Festival 2025
People Power Media Fest is an annual event that brings together media makers, activists, and community leaders to uplift underrepresented voices and spark meaningful dialogue. Featuring panels, workshops, screenings, and networking, it focuses on using media for social change, creativity, and community empowerment. This year’s theme is Free Speech, Real Talk.
Cost: $10-$30
PhillyCAM — 699 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
More Events:
Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 5 PM
PUFF x Girls Like Horror: Double Feature
Cost: $25
Theatre Exile — 1340 S 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 7 PM
Viva Video Presents: Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains
Cost: $11.75-$16.25
Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 7 PM
Human Rights Coalition’s Toxic Prisons Campaign Documentary
Cost: $10 (No one turned away)
Cedar Works Community Center — 4919 Pentridge Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Cost: $11.75-$16.25
Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 7 PM
The Be Reel Micheaux Screening Series Presents: Def By Temptation
Cost: $11.75-$16.25
Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 5 PM
Diamond Screen Presents: Diamond Docs
Cost: Free
Temple University Student Center — 1755 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 6 PM
The Philadelphia Mosaic: Immigrant Film Showcase
Cost: Free
Teatro Esperanza — 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 7 PM
Cost: Free
PhilaMOCA — 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
*Featured Image: Still from Def By Temptation.
Sophia Abraham-Raveson is the Managing Editor for the cinéSPEAK Journal. In addition to working at cinéSPEAK, Sophia is a licensed social worker in Pennsylvania, a volunteer with the restorative justice group Let’s Circle Up, and a musician and songwriter in her band Charm School Looks.
