Please refer to the official websites for events to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information about ticketing, cancellations, and COVID-19 policies. Inclusion in the Philadelphia Monthly Cinema Arts Round-Up does not signify cinéSPEAK’s endorsement of an organization’s mission or political affiliations.
This November in Philly you can catch so many incredible film festivals and events: multiple screenings for Palestine Cinema Days, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Festival, Philly Animation Fest, and so much more. Check out all the beautiful community events that our independent film scene has to offer and support local filmmakers!
Make sure to read the full round-up to plan your November film calendar.
Monday, November 2, 2026 at 7 PM
Palestine Cinema Days 2026: The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing and Foragers
Each year, Filmlab Palestine brings its vision to life through the film festival Palestine Cinema Days, and cinéSPEAK is partnering with them to screen two films this year. The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing is a short documentary in which a Palestinian filmmaker based in Scotland unearths a rarely-seen Scottish film archive of Palestinian wild flowers and decides to reclaim the footage. Foragers is a feature film that interweaves documentary and fiction to report on a searing conflict between the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and Palestinian foragers.
Cost: Sliding Scale ($5-$20 Suggested)
Vox Populi — 319 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Big Picture Alliance Presents Founding Further: Reclaim The Past, Reimagine The Future
Founding Further is a documentary film series that uplifts the stories of underrepresented Philadelphians who have contributed to the progress of our city and nation over the past 250 years. This event will premiere five new films produced by intergenerational teams of local filmmakers through the Big Picture Alliance in partnership with community organizations. Come for a mixer at 5:30, check out the shorts program at 6:30, and stay for the panel discussion with filmmakers and partners at 8:30.
Cost: Free
Philadelphia Film Society Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 7 PM
The Black Girl Lives!
Survive the night with Dusky Projects at a screening showcase that celebrates short horror films written, directed, or produced by Philly-based Black women. Featured artists include gabe castro, Stephanie Malson, Destiny Cox, and Eunice Levis along with a call ‘n’ response style Q&A with Stephanye Watts of Be Reel Black Cinema Club. Check out vendors before the screening to get some cleansing palo santo from Cora Scents or a reading from Astral Botanica.
Cost: $10
Vox Populi — 319 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Thursday, November 5, 2026 – Sunday, November 15, 2026
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival returns for its 19th year, presenting a groundbreaking program of films that celebrates the vibrant diversity of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander storytelling. Highlights include the opening night film, Kiyoshi, a documentary about Kiyoshi Kuromiya–the Philadelphia-based Japanese American civil rights, anti-war, gay liberation and HIV/AIDS activist; Scribe Video Center’s tribute to Christine Choy with Loose Pages Bound: Asian Americans in the Delaware Valley; and the centerpiece film, zi.
Cost: $18-$300
Multiple Locations
Friday, November 6 – Sunday, November 8, 2026
They Say the People Can Fly (A Series)
This 3-day series presented by Philly filmmaker Jasmine Lynea will be hosted at the Philadelphia Film Society. Through an artist talk, short film screening, and conversations, Lynea will dissect and analyze the theories of her new short, Della Can Fly! The first evening, Lynea will lead an artist talk and performance. The second evening will feature a screening of curated films with similar themes. And the last night, Lynea will screen her new documentary which features artist Yannick Lowery.
Cost: Pay What You Can
Philadelphia Film Society Center — 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Monday, November 9, 2026 at 5 PM
cinéSPEAK x Two Locals Brewing Company Movie Mondays: Daughters of the Dust
Movie Mondays is a monthly gathering every second Monday celebrating innovative Black filmmakers. In November, we’re welcoming author and curator Ashley Clark (Criterion Collection) for a special presentation of Julie Dash’s Daughters of the Dust. Ashley will be in conversation with Stephanye Watts of Be Reel Black Cinema Club after the screening and signing copies of his latest book The World of Black Film: A Journey Through Cinematic Blackness in 100 Films. Book signing and happy hour start at 5 and the film starts at 6:30.
Cost: Free
Two Locals Brewing Company — 3675 Market Street, Suite 100, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Thursday, November 12 – Saturday, November 21, 2026
Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Festival
This annual Philly film festival is back, with short films, features, and talkbacks all focused on Jewish artists and culture. Highlights include a Shorts for Children program with an animated Yiddish-language film; the Philadelphia premiere of Bookends, a queer family narrative film with a Q&A with the filmmakers; and the closing night film Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls: Another Side of Woody Guthrie also with a talkback and live music after the screening.
Cost: $25-$375
Multiple Locations
Friday, November 13 – Sunday, November 15, 2026
Philly Animation Fest
Attend the second annual Philly Animation Fest, with three days celebrating animation from Philadelphia and around the globe, featuring film screenings, workshops, family-friendly events, and conversations with artists shaping the medium. Stay tuned for the schedule of incredible events!
Cost: TBA
Moore College of Art & Design — 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 12 PM
cinéKIDZ Presents: Earwig and the Witch In Partnership with Philly Childcare Collective
cinéKIDZ is cinéSPEAK’s youth program for children ages 3 to 10 and their caregivers. For November, join Philly Childcare Collective and cinéSPEAK for a day of learning, play, and empowerment focused on the question: What if kids ruled the world? The 2021 animated film is about a headstrong orphan who discovers a world of spells and potions while living with a selfish witch. In addition to the film, there will be free lunch, popcorn, and cookies as well as related interactive activities.
Cost: Free
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philly Library — 125 South 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
More Events:
Monday, November 2, 2026 at 6 PM
Palestine Cinema Days: Return to Haifa
Cost: Free
Village of Industry & Art — 320 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 6 PM
Fitler Presents: Seeding Change | An Indie Film Series
Cost: $17.85
Fitler Club — 24 South 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 7 PM
Scribe Producers’ Forum: Love, Joy & Power: Tools for Liberation by Daresha Kyi
Cost: $4-$8
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Friday, November 6 – Friday, November 27, 2026
Cost: $0-$23.18
Our House Culture Center — 6380 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 3 PM
Philly Rumba Film and Timbalona Collective
Cost: $7.18-$17.85
Esperanza — 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 1 PM
Barnes Cinema: Powwow People by Sky Hopinka
Cost: $0-$15
The Barnes Foundation — 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 2 PM
Diamond Screen Presents: Diamond Docs Film Festival
Cost: Free
Temple University Student Center — 1755 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM
South Philly Autonomous Cinema Presents: Problemista
Cost: $10
Val’s Lesbian Bar — 605 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7 PM
Lil Filmmakers Presents: Brightness In Black
Cost: $11.75-$16.25
Bryn Mawr Film Institute — 824 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 7 PM
Lightbox x Space Melt Cinema Present: Apple Pie
Cost: $13.24-$15.28
Bok Auditorium — 800 Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM
WHYY Presents: Crime and Punishment in America
Cost: Free
WHYY — 150 North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Right to Die Screening and Community Conversation
Cost: Free
Symphony Philly — 1516 North 5th Street, Unit 104, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Cost: Free
Public Trust — 4017 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7 PM
Scribe Producers’ Forum: Saving Etting Street by Dena Fisher and Amy Scott
Cost: $4-$8
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 5 PM
Scaling Up & Down: Screening for Eco-Social Realism
Cost: Free
Ulises — 1525 North American Street Studio 104, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Monday, November 16, 2026 at 6 PM
Michelle Angela Ortiz ’00: STORIES OF US Las Madres de Berks Screening
Cost: Free
Moore College of Art & Design — 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7 PM
Scribe Producers’ Forum: Amazing Grace: YorubaWorlds by Raynald Leconte
Cost: $4-$8
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 6 PM
Cost: Free
Philadelphia Film Society East — 125 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Friday, November 20, 2026 at 6 PM
Cost: $350
The Bellevue Hotel — 200 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
*Featured Image: Still from Kiyoshi, screening at PAAFF. Courtesy of the filmmakers.
Sophia Abraham-Raveson is the Director of 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.
