With festival season now in full swing, its almost time for my hometown fest – the Philadelphia Film Festival now in its 34th year. Running October 16th thru the 26th, the fest spans 11 days, and because of its positioned strategically at the near the end of the festival season, they are able to seek out the titles that have been gaining some buzz over the last few months and even incorporate some of the titles that are getting prepped for awards season. Also, given this is the Philadelphia film fest, there is always a great local track supporting filmmakers from in and around the city of brotherly love.
This year the line up of 100+ film that will take place at three venues in and around our city and opens with Rian Johnson’s (Who will be in attendance) latest Benoit Blanc whodunnit – Wake up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6 and the word on that one is, its another worthy entry to the series. The fest will close with Sentimental Value Joachim Trier’s (The Worst Person in the World) latest, which walked away with the Grand Prix at Cannes back in May where it premiered. There’s a lot of great films here and if you don’t have time to follow the festival buzz, the programmers of the fest even offer a free panel tonight – October 7, to let you know what titles you might want to check out.
Screenings I am probably most excited for are Guillermo del Toro’s take on Frankenstein, Park Chan-wook’s latest No other Choice, The Testament of Ann Lee (directed by the writer of The Brutalist and Vox Lux), Nirvana the Band the show the movie – based on sheer word of mouth and Sham the latest by the ultra violent Japanese auteur Takashi Miike. As far as titles I’ve already seen that I can personally co-sign is SIRÂT, which was my favorite film out of Fantastic Fest, Reflection in a Dead Diamond – my second favorite film out of Fantastic Fest and a 90 minute James Bond opening sequence, Bugonia – which is a hyper-relevant remake of the South Korean cult classic Save the Green Planet and Sisu: Road to Revenge – a film that is on par with the kinetic, intense original about a man who is killing every Nazi who crosses his path.
Check out the full press release below:
34th Philadelphia Film Festival Lineup
Festival to Open with WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY, Close with SENTIMENTAL VALUE, and feature the World Premieres of DEAD GIVEAWAY and WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED, and host the special event screenings of the finale of HBO’s limited series TASK, and Amazon Prime’s highly anticipated three-part docuseries ALLEN IV3RSON
PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 1, 2025 – The Philadelphia Film Society (PFS) is proud to announce the full line-up for the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival (PFF), spanning October 16 through October 26, 2025. This year’s Festival will offer in-person screenings at all PFS venues, including the newly remodeled, state-of-the-art Philadelphia Film Society Center, which reopens as the heart of the Festival after a transformative renovation. Audiences can also experience the excitement of the Festival at the Film Society Bourse and Film Society East, vibrant venues operated by PFS.
With design by Stanev Potts Architects, the Philadelphia Film Society Center upgrades include a striking new main entrance and box office, an expanded and ADA-accessible lobby with upgraded concessions, and improved infrastructure throughout the building. These additions, made possible through the Moving Film Forward Capital Campaign, create an inviting, inclusive hub for film lovers, educators, and the wider Philadelphia community. In conjunction with previously completed renovations converting the former black box space into the Albert M. Greenfield Student and Community Screening Room and adding a lobby café bar, the $4 million undertaking reflects PFS’s commitment to elevating the movie-going experience and supporting the city’s dynamic film culture.
“We are thrilled to unveil this year’s extraordinary lineup for the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival, while also welcoming audiences back into our beautifully reimagined Philadelphia Film Society Center,” said J. Andrew Greenblatt, CEO & Executive Director of the Philadelphia Film Society. “With the completion of our state-of-the-art renovations, moviegoers will experience the very best in cinema, both visually and acoustically, in a space that’s more welcoming and accessible than ever before. Alongside our dynamic programming at the Film Society Bourse and Film Society East, this year’s Festival promises to be a true celebration of film and community. We can’t wait to showcase world-class films and immersive events, all in the heart of Philadelphia’s vibrant cultural scene.”
The program for the 34th edition encompasses an array of extraordinary films. The festival will open on Thursday, October 16 with WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY, directed, written, and produced by two time Academy Award nominee Rian Johnson and starring Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack and Thomas Haden Church. In the newest installment of the “Knives Out” franchise, Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case yet. The Closing Night film, SENTIMENTAL VALUE, a complex family drama with powerful performances from Renate Reinsve, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Stellan Skarsgård, will play on Sunday, October 26.
The Philadelphia Film Festival is proud to announce eight outstanding titles selected as this year’s Centerpieces. Titles include BUGONIA, featuring Emma Stone as the CEO of a powerful corporation, who is kidnapped by two conspiracy-driven young men convinced she’s an alien bent on Earth’s destruction; FRANKENSTEIN, Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated adaptation that showcases the acclaimed director at his most visionary; HAMNET, Academy Award Winner Chloé Zhao’s stirring drama inspired by William Shakespeare and his wife’s heart-wrenching struggle as they cope with the loss of their son; IS THIS THING ON?, directed by Bradley Cooper, a compelling comedy-drama about a man (Will Arnett) whose life in New York unravels as he faces divorce; ETERNITY stars Elizabeth Olsen as a woman forced to make an impossible choice between her lifelong partner (Miles Teller) and a lost love (Callum Turner); Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT, a riveting political thriller probing repression and morality; JAY KELLY, from Academy Award nominee Noah Baumbach stars, George Clooney and Adam Sandler as they embark on a poignant journey of self-discovery across Europe, confronting life’s most difficult choices; and RENTAL FAMILY, where Brendan Fraser portrays an American actor searching for meaning in Japan and forming unexpected connections through an unusual job.
“This year’s lineup is a perfect reflection of what makes the Philadelphia Film Festival such a singular experience: a bold mix of highly anticipated premieres, daring international discoveries, and innovative works from some of the world’s most exciting filmmakers,” said Michael Lerman, Artistic Director & Senior Director of Programming for the Philadelphia Film Society. “I really feel like this year is something truly special. As we’ve watched our audiences grow and their tastes change, we’ve pushed the boundaries of what kinds of films we’re allowing ourselves to show and now it truly is a survey of the best of the year”.
The Filmadelphia category and the Filmadelphia Shorts Program showcase the Philadelphia Film Society’s unwavering commitment to supporting and celebrating film in Greater Philadelphia, featuring exceptional works by some of the region’s most innovative filmmakers. This year’s lineup includes the World Premieres of two standout Filmadelphia titles: DEAD GIVEAWAY and WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?.
In contrast, the World View category spotlights cinematic voices from around the globe. Highlights include the Franco-Spanish SIRÂT, a gripping tale of a father and son’s search for a missing daughter across southern Morocco and the UK-based drama URCHIN, directed by Harris Dickinson, following a young man’s journey toward redemption as he struggles with addiction.
Additional categories include Masters of Cinema, State of the Union, Spotlights, Focus on Germany, Cinema de France, Made in USA, Non/Fiction, Sight & Soundtrack, After Hours, Special Events and From the Vaults. These sections feature a wide array of noteworthy titles, such as CHRISTY, NIRVANNA THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE, ROSEMEAD, and THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE, among many others. The Philadelphia Film Society invites everyone to experience the magic of cinema on the big screen and explore their own interests within our dynamic programming. With such a diverse array of categories and films, there truly is something for everyone.
Screenings for the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival will take place exclusively at Philadelphia Film Society venues:
Film Society Center (1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102)
Film Society Bourse (400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106)
Film Society East (125 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106)
Tickets will go on sale to PFS members on Friday, October 3, and to the general public on Monday, October 6.
Tickets can be purchased online here or in-person at the Box Office at the Philadelphia Film Society Center.
During the Festival tickets will be available for purchase in-person at the Box Offices at the Film Society Center, Film Society Bourse, or Film Society East.
34TH PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL FULL LINE-UP
Opening Night Film
- Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Director Rian Johnson. 2025, USA
Closing Night Film
- Sentimental Value, Director Joachim Trier. 2025 Norway, France, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, UK
Centerpieces
- Bugonia, Director Yorgos Lanthimos. 2025 UK
- Eternity, Director David Freyne. 2025 USA
- Frankenstein, Director Guillermo del Toro. 2025 USA
- Hamnet, Director Chloé Zhao. 2025 UK
- Is This Thing On?, Director Bradley Cooper. 2025 USA
- It Was Just An Accident, Director Jafar Panahi. 2025 Iran, France, Luxembourg
- Jay Kelly, Director Noah Baumbach. 2025 USA
- Rental Family, Director Hikari. 2025 USA, Japan
- The Testament of Ann Lee, Director Mona Fastvold. 2025 USA, UK
Masters of Cinema
- Blue Moon, Director Richard Linklater. 2025 USA
- Cover-Up, Director Laura Poitras, Mark Obenhaus. 2025 USA
- Dead Man’s Wire, Director Gus Van Sant. 2025 USA
- Dreams, Director Michel Franco. 2025 USA, Mexico
- La Grazia, Director Paolo Sorrentino. 2025 Italy
- La Ola (The Wave), Director Sebastián Lelio. 2025 Chile
- Nuestra Tierra, Director Lucrecia Martel. 2025 Argentina
- Magellan, Director Lav Diaz. 2025 Portugal, Spain, France, Philippines, Taiwan
- The Mastermind, Director Kelly Reichardt. 2025 USA
- Maya, Give Me a Title, Director Michel Gondry. 2024 France
- Miroirs No. 3, Director Christian Petzodl. 2025 Germany
- No Other Choice, Director Park Chan-wook. 2025 South Korea
- Nouvelle Vague, Director Richard Linklater. 2025 France, USA
- Peter Hujar’s Day, Director Ira Sachs. 2025 USA, Germany
- Resurrection, Director Bi Gan. 2025 China, France
- The Secret Agent, Director Kleber Mendonça Filho. 2025 Brazil, France, Netherlands, Germany
- Sham, Director Takashi Miike. 2025 Japan
- Young Mothers, Director Luc Dardenne, Jean-Pierre Dardenne. 2025 Belgium, France
World View
- Christy (Ireland), Director Brendan Canty. 2025 Ireland, UK
- Growing Down, Director Bálint Dániel Sós. 2025 Hungary
- Happy Birthday, Director Sarah Goher. 2025 Egypt
- Left-Handed Girl, Director Shih-Ching Tsou. 2025 Taiwan
- Lesbian Space Princess, Director Emma Hough Hobbs, Leela Varghese. 2025 Australia
- LifeHack, Director Ronan Corrigan. 2025 UK
- The Love That Remains, Director Hlynur Pálmason. 2025 Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, France
- Memory of Princess Mumbi, Director Damien Hauser. 2025 Switzerland, Kenya, Saudi Arabia
- My Father’s Shadow, Director Akinola Davies Jr. 2025 UK, Nigeria
- Pinch, Director Uttera Singh. 2025 India
- A Poet, Director Simón Mesa Soto. 2025 Colombia
- The President’s Cake, Director Hasan Hadi. 2025 Iraq, USA, Qatar
- Promised Sky, Director Erige Sehiri. 2025 Tunisia, France, Qatar
- Sirât, Director Oliver Laxe. 2025 France, Spain
- Songs of Forgotten Trees, Director Anuparna Roy. 2025 India
- Urchin, Director Harris Dickinson. 2025 UK
Focus on Germany
- The Good Sister, Director Sarah Miro Fischer. 2025 Germany, Spain
- Hysteria, Director Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay. 2025 Germany
- Silent Friend, Director Ildiko Enyedi. 2025 Germany, Hungary, France
- Sound of Falling, Director Mascha Schilinski. 2025 Germany
- What Marielle Knows, Director Frédéric Hambalek. 2025 Germany
Cinema de France
- Arco, Director Ugo Bienvenu. 2025 France
- Kika, Director Alex Poukine. 2025 Belgium, France
- Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, Director Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han. 2025 France
- The Little Sister, Director Hafsia Herzi. 2025 France, Germany
- Wild Foxes, Director Valéry Carnoy. 2025 Belgium
Made in USA
- Blue Film, Director Elliot Tuttle. 2025 USA
- It Ends, Director Alexander Ullom. 2025 USA
- The Plague, Director Charlie Polinger. 2025 Romania, USA
- Redux Redux, Director Kevin McManus, Matthew McManus. 2025 USA
- Train Dreams, Director Clint Bentley. 2025 USA
Non/Fiction
- André is an Idiot, Director Tony Benna. 2025 USA
- The Dating Game, Director Violet Du Feng. 2025 USA, UK, Norway
- Ghost Boy, Director Rodney Ascher. 2025 USA
- The Python Hunt, Director Xander Robin. 2025 USA
- The Tale of Silyan, Director Tamara Kotevska. 2025 North Macedonia
Sight & Soundtrack
- Brother Verses Brother, Director Ari Gold. 2025 USA
- Butthole Surfers: The Hole and Nothing Butt, Director Tom J Stern. 2025 USA
- The Choral, Director Nicholas Hytner. 2025 UK
- The Making of Curtis Mayfield, Director H.E.R. 2025 USA
- Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, Director Matt Johnson. 2025 Canada
Filmadelphia
- Alice-Heart, Director Mike Macera. 2025 USA
- Dead Giveaway, Director Ian Kimble. 2025 USA
- Enongo, Director Kevin Schreck. 2025 USA, Canada
- Keep Quiet and Forgive, Director Sarah McClure. 2025 USA
- What the Hell Happened?, Director Matt Wilkins, Eliza Fox. 2025 USA, Panama, Peru, Argentina, Spain
After Hours
- Barrio Triste, Director STILLZ. 2025 Colombia, USA
- Honey Bunch, Director Madeleine Sims-Fewer, Dusty Mancinelli. 2025 Canada
- Man Finds Tape, Director Peter Hall, Paul Gandersman. 2025 USA
- Primate, Director Johannes Roberts. 2025 USA
- Reflection in a Dead Diamond, Director Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani. 2025 Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, France
- Sisu: Road to Revenge, Director Jalmari Helander. 2025 Finland, USA
Community Screenings
- Bunnylovr, Director Katarina Zhu. 2025 USA
- Calle Málaga, Director Maryam Touzani. 2025 Morocco, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium
- How to Build a Library, Director Christopher King, Maia Lekow. 2025 Kenya
- A Simple Soldier, Director Artem Ryzhykov, Juan Camilo Cruz. 2025 Ukraine, USA, UK
- Woman and Child, Director Saeed Roustaee. 2025 Iran State of the Union
- Baby Doe, Director Jessica Earnshaw. 2025 USA
- Case 137, Director Dominik Moll. 2025 France
- Natchez, Director Suzannah Herbert. 2025 USA
- Never Get Busted!, Director David Anthony Ngo, Stephen Mccallum. 2025 Australia
- The Voice of Hind Rajab, Director Kaouther ben Hania. 2025 Tunisia, France
Shorts
- /HAAW/, Director Joey Scoma. 2025 USA
- Aisles, Director Tessa Slovis. 2025 USA
- All Things Corrode, Director Sidney Kreitzer. 2024 USA
- Arguments in Favor of Love, Director Gabriel Abrantes, 2025 Portugal
- As if Swallowed by Earth, Director Natalia León. 2024 France
- The Beguiling, Director Ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby. 2024 USA
- The Care Team, Director Danielle Harris. 2025 USA
- Chasing the Party, Director Jessie Komitor. 2025 USA
- The Eating of an Orange, Director May Kindred-Boothby. 2025 UK
- The Garden Sees Fire, Director Kiera Faber. 2024 USA
- Georgie, Director Jennie Butler. 2024 USA
- The Goldfish Club, Director Max Henderson. 2024 UK
- Grandma Nai Who Played Favorites, Director Chheangkea. 2025 Cambodia, France, USA
- Hide, Director Brenden Hubbard. 2025 USA
- Holy Heaviness, Director Farnoosh Abedi, Negah Khezre Fardyarda. 2025 Iran
- Hurikán, Director Jan Saska. 2024 Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Bosnia, Herzegovina
- Jesus 2, Director Jesse Moynihan. 2024 USA
- Kuchar (The Itch), Director Vaidaangi Sharma, 2025 India
- Munchies, Director Brittany Alexia Young. 2025 USA
- My Wonderful Life, Director Calleen Koh. 2024 Singapore
- Nervous Energy, Director Eve Liu. 2025 USA
- Retirement Plan, Director John Kelly. 2024 Ireland
- Shanti Rides Shotgun, Director Charles Frank. 2024 USA
- The Traveler & the Troll, Director Adam Murray. 2025 USA
- They Put Us in the Woods, Director Cristin Stephens. 2025 USA
- TV or the Disturbance on Forest Hill Lane, Director Frederic Siegel. 2025 Switzerland
- Vultures, Director Dian Weys. 2025 France, South Africa
- WassupKaylee, Director Pepi Ginsberg. 2025 France, USA
- Way Back Home, Director Chad B. Hamilton. 2024 USA
- Whitch, Director Hoku Uchiyama. 2025 France
- Winter in March, Director Natalia Mirzoyan. 2025 Estonia, Armenia, France
Special Events
- Allen Iv3rson, Director One9. 2025 USA
- Demon Lover Diary, Director Joel DeMott. 1980 USA
- Rosemead, Director Eric Lin. 2025 USA
- Task, “A Still Small Voice” (Season 1 Finale), Director Jeremiah Zagar. 2025 USA
Spotlights
- Christy (US), Director David Michôd. 2025 USA
- Fantasy Life, Director Matthew Shear. 2025 USA
- H is for Hawk, Director Philippa Lowthorpe. 2025 UK
- Heads or Tails?, Director Alessio Rigo de Righi, Matteo Zoppis. 2025 Italy, USA
- Hedda, Director Nia DaCosta. 2025 USA
- If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Director Mary Bronstein. 2025 USA
- Nuremberg, Director James Vanderbilt. 2025 USA
- Rebuilding, Director Max Walker-Silverman. 2025 USA
From the Vaults
- Hard Boiled, Director John Woo. 1992 Hong Kong
- Mulholland Drive, Director David Lynch. 2001 USA
- Peking Opera Blues, Director Tsui Hark. 1986 Hong Kong
- The Lovers on the Bridge, Director Leos Carax. 1991 France
- Three Days of the Condor, Director Sydney Pollack. 1975 USA
All additional information on the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival can be found here.
