The Philadelphia Film Festival is marking its 35th year by going bigger than ever, adding a screen and programming more films than in any previous edition as it runs Oct. 15-25 across three venues in the city. Organizers say the expanded footprint allowed them to squeeze in a lineup topping 100 movies, with a first wave of 50 titles already announced, including four world premieres.
According to the Philadelphia Tribune, this year's festival runs across the Film Society Center, Film Society Bourse and Film Society East locations. The outlet reports that the Philadelphia Film Society added a screen and programmed more films than the festival has ever shown, allowing it to accommodate a sharply expanded lineup. PFS CEO and Executive Director J. Andrew Greenblatt told the Tribune, “We probably could have taken a couple dozen more films if we had the space.”
The scale of the undertaking is notable even by the festival's own recent history. The 34th Philadelphia Film Festival, held last October, ran for 11 days and featured more than 100 films, as The Philadelphia Inquirer reported at the time. This year's edition uses a three-venue setup while stretching its programming further than before.
A First Wave of 50 Films — With More to Come
Per PhillyVoice, the festival announced 50 films in its first wave, including four world premieres: “Big Phan,” “Gentle by Birth,” “I Don't Want to Drink Your Blood Anymore” and “Joy Will Prevail.” PFS Artistic Director Michael Lerman described the initial announcement as just “the tip of the iceberg,” signaling that the organization is planning its biggest festival program yet.
Beyond screenings, the 11-day run will include filmmaker Q&As, special guest appearances, red carpet events, community programs, meetups, and opening- and closing-night parties, the outlet's report notes. Tickets were scheduled to go on sale to the general public Friday, Oct. 9. The 2026 edition also doubles as a milestone year for the organization behind it — marking 35 years of the Philadelphia Film Festival and 25 years of the Philadelphia Film Society itself.
Black Stories Take Center Stage
Ten festival features this year center Black filmmakers, stories or leads, spanning three continents and more than a century of history, according to the Tribune's report. The Filmadelphia section, dedicated to locally made and regional work, has six features this year — four of them world premieres — with a seven-film shorts program rounding it out.
The festival's reach extends well past the screening room. The Philadelphia Film Society draws more than 250,000 people a year across its three venues, according to the Tribune's report.
Premieres From Eisenberg, DuVernay and Gray
The event will also feature work by Jesse Eisenberg, Ava DuVernay and James Gray, including DuVernay's “14th,” which plays after its world premiere at the New York Film Festival. The festival opens on Oct. 15 with Noah Segan's “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York” and closes on Oct. 25 with Eisenberg's “The Debut.”
DuVernay's historical documentary “14th” serves as a follow-up to her 2016 Oscar-nominated film “13th,” while Gray contributes the crime thriller “Paper Tiger.” The lineup also includes Jordan Firstman's feature-length directorial debut, “Club Kid,” and Brad Bird's animated neo-noir “Ray Gunn.” The lineup also includes new work from several filmmakers.
The Organization Behind the Festival
J. Andrew Greenblatt is the Philadelphia Film Society's CEO and executive director.
The 35th edition is a milestone year for the festival. Badges and passes are available for purchase through filmadelphia.org.
