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.
Red October may have come to a devastating early end, but Film November in Philly can’t be stopped. While this is not an official designation, the amount of incredible community film festivals and screenings this month make a pretty good case for it. Festivals include Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Festival, and the inaugural Philly Animation Festival. BlackStar is also hosting its annual Luminary Gala to support their festival and year-round work.
Other highlights this month include two Palestinian film events: a screening of Divine Intervention for Palestine Cinema Days, and a fundraiser for Gazan families featuring From Ground Zero (a collection of 22 Palestinian short films). Make sure to read the full round-up to plan your November film calendar in Philly!
Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 1 PM
Palestine Cinema Days: Divine Intervention
Join BlackStar for a screening of Elia Suleiman’s Divine Intervention. This event is co-hosted with Filmlab Palestine and is part of the annual Palestine Cinema Days Festival. In this 2002 film, in Nazareth, absurd daily life hides deep tension. Suleiman navigates between caring for his ailing father and a relationship with a woman from Ramallah, separated by an Israeli checkpoint. Light bites and refreshments will be provided. Masks are required.
Cost: Free
BlackStar Workshop — Suite 415 at BOK, 1901 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Thursday, November 6 – Sunday, November 16, 2025
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
The 18th Annual Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival is centering the theme of “Dreaming of Other Worlds.” Highlights include the opening night film Third Act, a documentary about legendary filmmaker Robert A. Nakamura made by his son; the Philly Filmmakers Showcase; and a screening of Union (sponsored by cinéSPEAK!), about the workers who won their election to become the first unionized Amazon workplace in America. cinéSPEAK readers can use the code PAAFF25CS to get a 20% discount on tickets.
Cost: $10-$350
Multiple venues
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
From Ground Zero: A Fundraiser for Gazan Families
Join cinéSPEAK and JVP Philly for a special screening of From Ground Zero to raise awareness and funds for four families in Gaza. 100% of proceeds go directly to families for urgent relief. From Ground Zero brings together 22 short films created by talented filmmakers from Gaza. Launched by Rashid Masharawi, a notable Palestinian filmmaker, the initiative emerged amid the backdrop of conflict, aiming to provide a platform for young artists to express themselves through their craft.
Cost: $20-$500
PhilaMOCA — 531 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123
Wednesday, November 12 – Sunday, November 23, 2025
Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Festival
The 45th annual Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Festival is packed with amazing films. Highlights include opening night film Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, with subject Janis Ian and director Varda Bar-Kar in attendance; a screening of Sabbath Queen about a rabbi drag queen, featuring a director talkback; and the east coast premiere of Lost Cause, a meta-narrative art-pop musical. Make sure to check out the full schedule.
Cost: $0-$25
Multiple Locations
Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Video Consortium Philadelphia Presents: Behind the Lens with Taj Devore-Bey
Caption: Promotional image for Behind the Lens with Taj Devore-Bey.
Spirit is a coming-of-age docuseries that follows the George Washington High School Eagles cheerleading team—the first from a Philadelphia public school to compete at Nationals. In this workshop, Philadelphia-based cinematographer Taj DeVore-Bey shares his creative process behind bringing Spirit to life: how he built trust with the Eagles, approached movement and lighting to mirror their energy, and used cinematography to celebrate their spirit both on and off the mat.
Cost: Free
Symphony Studio — 1516 North 5th Street, Unit 104, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Friday, November 14, 2025 at 7 PM
Scribe Video Center Presents: a_blurred_fluxx_00.avi by Osadolor Osawemwenze
Filmmaker Osadolor Osawemwenze’s a_blurred_fluxx_00.avi is an experimental documentary that delves deep into the complex interiority and fluid conversations among today’s Blackqueer youth. The film was a finalist for Best Documentary (International Short Film) at the London Breeze Film Festival and has screened at the Black Harvest, Ann Arbor, and Lagos Queer Film Festivals. Osadolor is a New York-based filmmaker, art director, creative researcher, and sound designer.
Cost: $3-$5
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21, 2025 at 7 PM
Scribe Video Center Producers’ Forum: African Spiritualities
Attend this Producers’ Forum entitled Third World Newsreel: African Spiritualities. Night one features AI: African Intelligence by Manthia Diawara, a 2022 essay film that explores the contact zones between African rituals of possession among traditional fishing villages of the Atlantic coast of Senegal and the emergence of new technology frontiers known as artificial intelligence. Night two features Voices of the Gods by Al Santana, a 1985 documentary that captures the rich legacy of ancient African religions practiced in the United States.
Cost: $4-$8
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Friday, November 21 – Sunday, November 23, 2025
Philly Animation Festival
Attend the inaugural Philly Animation Festival to celebrate the expansive art of animation and how it can be used as a form of creative expression. There will be screenings, workshops, and panel discussions. This festival was founded by members of the Philly Animation Ensemble. Stay tuned for the full schedule on the festival website. cinéSPEAK is a producing partner for this event.
Cost: TBA
Moore College of Art and Design — 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
More Events:
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 7 PM
Community Screening: TCB – The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing
Cost: Free
Parrish Hall W201 at Swarthmore College — 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 7 PM
Lightbox Film Center Presents: Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Cost: $13.24-$15.28
Bok Auditorium — 800 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Fleisher x El Conejo en el Faro Present: El Día de los Muertos Screening
Cost: Free
Fleisher Art Memorial — 719 Catherine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Thursday, November 6 – Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 7 PM
Cost: $15-$70
Icebox Project Space — 1400 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 1 PM
Rousseau Film Series: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Cost: $0-$15
The Barnes Foundation — 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Sunday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 11, 2025
12Gates x PAAFF Contemporary Video Art Exhibition 2025
Cost: $0-$5
Twelve Gates Arts — 106 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The Woman’s Film; Inside Women Inside
Cost: Free
Public Trust — 4017 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 7 PM
Lightbox Film Center x aemi Present: The said and the unsaid
Cost: $13.24-$15.28
Bok Auditorium — 800 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 7 PM
Cost: $10 (No one turned away)
Vox Populi — 319 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 7 PM
Lightbox Film Center x Collaborative Cataloging Japan Present: Looking for an Angel
Cost: $13.24-$15.28
Bok Auditorium — 800 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 5 PM
Diamond Screen Presents: DiamondQ Festival
Cost: Free
Temple University Student Center — 1755 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Friday, November 21, 2025 at 6 PM
Cost: $300-$350
The Switch House — 1325 Beach Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125
*Featured Image: Still from Sabbath Queen, screening at PJFMF. Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival.
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.
