Philadelphia Film Festival announces lineup featuring films by Bradley Cooper and Guillermo del Toro.

The Philadelphia Film Festival is set to return from October 16 to October 26, bringing an exciting agenda that includes blockbuster premieres, filmmaker meetups, community screenings, and star-studded red carpet events. This much-anticipated annual event will unfold across various venues within the Philadelphia Film Society (PFS), notably at the newly remodeled Philadelphia Film Center. The renovations feature a newly designed box office and main entrance, enhanced concessions, and an expanded lobby, aiming to elevate the overall experience for attendees.

PFS CEO and Executive Director J. Andrew Greenblatt expressed enthusiasm about the festival, highlighting its commitment to showcasing world-class films alongside immersive events that capture the heart of Philadelphia’s dynamic cultural landscape.

The festival opens on an exciting note with the premiere of “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” the latest installment in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed whodunit franchise, featuring a stellar cast that includes Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, and Glenn Close. The event will conclude with the highly anticipated family drama “Sentimental Value,” directed by Joachim Trier.

Attendees can look forward to a range of standout screenings, referred to as “centerpieces,” that highlight works from notable filmmakers such as Yorgos Lanthimos, Guillermo del Toro, Chloé Zhao, and Bradley Cooper. The festival also promises an array of international films, showcasing diverse narratives and styles. Notable entries include “The Good Sister” by German director Sarah Miro Fischer, “Kika” from France’s Alexe Poukine, and “Silent Friend” by Ildikó Enyedi, a Hungarian filmmaker.

Philadelphia’s local film community will also be prominently featured, with works presented by filmmakers such as Mike Macera, Ian Kimble, Kevin Shreck, Sarah McClure, Matt Wilkins, and Eliza Fox, further emphasizing the festival’s commitment to regional talent.

In addition to traditional screenings, this year’s event includes special screenings of HBO’s miniseries finale “Task,” which is set in the Delco region, as well as Amazon Prime’s docuseries “Allen Iv3rson,” further diversifying the festival’s offerings.

Michael Lerman, the festival’s artistic director, characterized this 34th edition as a “bold mix of highly anticipated premieres, daring international discoveries, and innovative works” that reflect both the festival’s rich community and its global outreach. Lerman noted that as audience preferences evolve, the festival has adapted its programming to feature a broader spectrum of films, creating a comprehensive survey of the year’s cinematic highlights.

Tickets for the festival went on sale on October 3 for PFS members and will be available to the general public starting October 6, with purchases accessible at filmadelphia.org. In-person ticket buying options will also be available at the box office locations across the Film Society Center, Film Society Bourse, and Film Society East, allowing attendees convenient access to this celebrated cinematic event.

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