Montclair Film Festival, Backed by Stephen Colbert, Opens With Edward Berger’s ‘Conclave’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Edward Berger‘s “Conclave” will open the 13th edition of the Montclair Film Festival on Oct. 18.
The film, which made its world premiere earlier this month at the Telluride Film Festival, follows the unexpected death of the Pope and the efforts to select a new one. Adapted from Robert Harris’s novel and starring Stanley Tucci, Ralph Fiennes, and Isabella Rossellini, the Focus Features film is a strong awards-season contender. Berger, whose previous film “All Quiet on the Western Front” won four Academy Awards in 2023, will participate in a Q&A following the opening night screening at Montclair’s Wellmont Theater.
Based in an affluent, northern New Jersey suburb that is home to many entertainment creatives including longtime fest supporter Stephen Colbert, MFF will feature a mix of high-profile narrative films and documentaries. The fest will also include panel discussions. As part of MFF’s Storyteller Series, Colbert will lead a conversation with “Barefoot Contessa” star Ina Garten on Oct. 20. Event ticketholders will receive a copy of Garten’s new memoir “Be Ready When the Luck Happens.”
In addition to “Conclave,” Gints Zilbalodis’s animated “Flow,” Steve McQueen’s World War II epic “Blitz,” Jacques Audiard’s redemption thriller “Emilia Perez,” and Sean Baker’s “Anora” are among the Oscar hopefuls that will screen at MFF.
This year MFF will bring a bevy of highly anticipated docus including Asif Kapadia’s “2073,” R.J. Cutler’s “Martha,” Petra Costa’s “Apocoplypse in the Tropics” and the world premiere of Nanfu Wang’s “Night is Not Eternal.”
“We are incredibly grateful to these filmmakers for bringing their work to us,” says Tom Hall, Montclair Film artistic director and co-head. “This year’s program shows a profound engagement with the world, and presents an opportunity for our audiences to explore a wide array of ideas. We look forward to bringing these filmmakers and audiences together to create an unforgettable festival experience.”
Juried awards will be distributed across four categories including: documentary, fiction, New Jersey Films, which focuses on non-fiction filmmaking from New Jersey artists, and Future/ Now, which seeks to support emerging voices in independent filmmaking with The Mark Urman Award, a $5,000 cash prize to help support and encourage future work for the winning filmmaker.
In addition to Costa’s “Apocoplypse in the Tropics” and Wang’s “Night is Not Eternal,” this year’s MFF doc film competition includes Mati Diop’s “Dahomey,” Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s “A New King of Wilderness” and Johan Grimonpez’s “Soundtrak to a Coup D’Etat.”
This year’s fiction film competition features Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine As Light, Miguel Gomes’ “Grand Tour,” Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here,” Mohammad Rasoulof’s “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” and Matthew Rankin’s “Universal Language.”
As previously announced, WIlliam Goldenberg’s “Unstoppable” and Kapadia’s “2073” will serve as MFF’s fiction and documentary Centerpiece films respectively. Zilbalodis’s “Flow” will screen as the fest’s “Family Centerpiece” pic.
Malcolm Washington’s “The Piano Lesson” will close MFF on Oct. 27.
This year’s MFF lineup:FEATURE FILMS2073, directed by Asif KapadiaALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT, directed by Payal KapadiaAND SO IT BEGINS, directed by Ramona DiazANORA, directed by Sean BakerAPOCALYPSE IN THE TROPICS, directed by Petra CostaARMAND, directed by Halfdan Ullmann TøndelBETWEEN THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SKY, directed by Jeremy Power RegimbalBEYOND THE GAZE: JULE CAMPBELL’S SWIMSUIT ISSUE, directed by Jill CampbellBIRD, directed by Andrea ArnoldBLITZ, directed by Steve McQueenCAUGHT BY THE TIDES, directed by Jia Zhang-keCHRISTMAS EVE IN MILLER’S POINT, directed by Tyler TaorminaLA COCINA, directed by Alonso RuizpalaciosCONCLAVE, directed by Edward BergerDAHOMEY, directed by Mati DiopEEPHUS, directed by Carson LundEMILIA PÉREZ, directed by Jacques AudiardTHE END, directed by Joshua OppenheimerERNEST COLE: LOST AND FOUND, directed by Raul PeckEVERY LITTLE THING, directed by Sally AitkenEXTREMELY UNIQUE DYNAMIC, directed by Ivan Leung, Harrison Xu, Katherine DudasFLOW, directed by Gints ZilbalodisGAZER, directed by Ryan J. SloanTHE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE, directed by Magnus von HornGRAND TOUR, directed by Miguel GomesHARD TRUTHS, directed by Mike LeighHOMEGROWN, directed by Michael PremoI WILL BUILD THIS WORLD FROM LOVE, directed by John BlockI’M STILL HERE, directed by Walter SallesMARTHA, directed by R.J. CutlerMEMOIR OF A SNAIL, directed by Adam ElliotMEN OF WAR, directed by Billy Corbern and Jen GatienMICRO BUDGET, directed by Morgan EvansMISERICORDIA, directed by Alain GuiraudieA NEW KIND OF WILDERNESS, directed by Silje Evensmo JacobsenNIGHT IS NOT ETERNAL, directed by Nanfu Wang (World Premiere)NIGHTBITCH, directed by Marielle HellerON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL, directed by Rungano NyoniTHE ORDER, directed by Justin KurzelPAINT ME A ROAD OUT OF HERE, directed by Catherine GundPAVEMENTS, directed by Alex Ross PerryTHE PIANO LESSON, directed by Malcolm WashingtonPOLITICS IS A MOTHER, RAISING HELL IS PART OF THE JOB, directed by Francine Weinberg GroffRATIFIED, directed by Sabaah Folayan and Deborah Riley DraperTHE REMARKABLE LIFE OF IBELIN, directed by Benjamin ReeTHE ROOM NEXT DOOR, directed by Pedro AlmodóvarSABBATH QUEEN, directed by Sandi Simcha DubowskiTHE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG, directed by Mohammad RasoulofTHE SHEPHERD AND THE BEAR, directed by Max KeeganSMALL THINGS LIKE THESE, directed by Tim MielantsSONGS FROM THE HOLE, directed by Contessa GaylesSOUNDTRACK TO A COUP D’ETAT, directed by Johan GrimonpezSPACE COWBOY, directed by Bryce Leavitt and Marah StrauchSWAMP DOGG GETS HIS POOL PAINTED, directed by Isaac Gale and Ryan Olson, co-directed by David McMurryTWO STRANGERS TRYING NOT TO KILL EACH OTHER, directed by Manon Ouimet and Jacob PerlmutterUNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, directed by Matthew RankinUNSTOPPABLE, directed by WIlliam GoldenbergVERMIGLIO, directed by Maura DelperoWITCHES, directed by Elizabeth SankeyTHE WORLD ACCORDING TO ALLEE WILLIS, directed by Alexis Manya SpraicYOUNG HEARTS, directed by Anthony SchattemanZURAWSKI V TEXAS, directed by Maisie Crow and Abbie Perrault
SHORT FILMS
’98 HONDA, directed by Christian Banda51ST STATE, directed by Hannah RosenzweigALL THINGS METAL, directed by Motoki OtsukaAN ALMOST CHRISTMAS STORY, directed by David LoweryALOK, directed by Alex HedisonAMERICAN GRAIL: A QUEST FOR THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER, directed by Andy SarjahaniANUJA, directed by Adam GravesTHE BELIEVERS, directed by Evan NewmanBREAK/FIX, directed by Amanda PintoTHE BROWN DOG, directed by Jame-James Medina and Nadia HallgrenCHRISTMAS, EVERY DAY, directed by Faye TsakasDEATH BY NUMBERS, directed by Kim A. SnyderDEEP IN MY HEART IS A SONG, directed by Jonathan PIckettDEEP TISH, directed by Dave PaigeDENIAL, directed by Paul Moakley and Daniel LombrosoDISSOLUTION, directed by Anthony SaxeDIVINERS, directed by Brian WatkinsDON’T CRY FOR ME ALL YOU DRAG QUEENS, directed by Kristal SotomayorDREAM CAR WASH, directed by Edoardo BrighentiDUSK, directed by Emilio MonarrezECHOES OF POMEGRANATE, directed by Alex Bijan ZandiFACING THE FALLS, directed by Celia AniskovichFEMALE CAPTIVE, directed by Brit Crawshaw and Josh HaywardTHE FOREST (A FLORESTA), directed by Brooks DierdorffFREERIDE IN C, directed by Edmunds JansonsGOOD GUY WITH A PUN, directed by Dmitry MilkinGRACE, directed by Natalie Jasmine HarrisHENRIETTA FINDS A NEST, directed by Hannah McNallyI CAN’T BE SORRY, directed by Robert MachoianILY, BYE, directed by Taylor JamesINCOMING CALL, directed by Lisa MolinaroJEDO’S DEAD, directed by Sara NimehKASBI, directed by Farah JabirLITTLE BIRD, directed by Kirsty O’DonnellLIVESTREAMS WITH GRANDMAPUZZLES, directed by Emily SheskinLOFT AND FOUND, directed by Pete O’Hare and Phillip KibbeLYRICAL, directed by Carter M. StewartMEAN ENDS, directed by Émile LavoieMEEK, directed by Hannah SperlingᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (MEET ME AT THE CREEK), directed by Loren WatersTHE MEETING SPOT, directed by Lauren SickA MOVE, directed by Elahe EsmailiMY BACK PAGES, directed by Nick Canfield and Paul LovelaceMY BEST FRIEND, directed by Elina StreetMY DEAD DAD, directed by Abby Ellis and Erik OsterholmOUT OF THE DARK: CAL CALAMIA, directed by Tom Mason and Sarah KleinPENN F—ING STATION, directed by Claire ReadPENTATARMEX RABITULAR, directed by Casey FriedmanTHE PERFECT TOMATO, directed by Cristobal AbugaberPERSONAL MYTHOLOGIES, directed by Susan O’BrienPUNTER, directed by Jason Adam MaselleRAT!, directed by Neal Suresh MulaniREALLY GOOD DRIVER, directed by Alex Song-XiaRELATIONSHIP TO PATIENT, directed by Caroline CreagheadREPLAY, directed by Phil MazoTHE SACRIFICE, directed by Christopher WernerSANGRE VIOLENTA / SANGRE VIOLETA, directed by Edna Diaz and Arturo JiménezSHINER, directed by Nora MarrisSHIT ON YOUR LIP, directed by Elvira IbragimovaSLEEPING ALONE, directed by Kelsea Bauman-MurphySOMETHING BLUE, directed by Jinsui SongSTATUES ALSO DIE , directed by Alain Resnais, Chris Marker and Ghislain CloquetSTAY HERE, directed by Marley RankinSTEADY, directed by Joey Rogoff and Brian YuranSTRANGE CREATURES, directed by Nicholas Payne SantosTESSA, directed by Megan DahlTHERE CAN ONLY BE ONE…, directed by Britney FanTR(OL)L, directed by Yourgo ArtsitasTRAGEDY BABES, directed by Christa HaleyVELO LOVE, directed by Carlos Cruz and Sam MéndezWHAT WE DISCOVER ALONG THE WAY, directed by Rose Vincelli GustineWORKERS’ COMP, directed by Philip SteigerWORKING SUMMER, directed by LIly WeisbergYELLOW DAISY BUTTERFLY, directed by Diek Grobler
CONVERSATIONS, PANELS, & SPECIAL EVENTS
The Storyteller Series, presented by AudibleIna Garten, Hosted by Stephen ColbertIna Garten is a New York Times bestselling author of thirteen cookbooks and the James Beard Award-winning host of the Emmy Award Winning television shows BAREFOOT CONTESSA and BE MY GUEST, on Food Network and Discovery+. She lives in East Hampton, New York, with her husband, Jeffrey. Her memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, is included with a ticket to this conversation.Sunday, October 20, 12:00 pm, The Wellmont
In ConversationHollywood Awards Season: Who WIns And Why It MattersThe annual ritual of Hollywood’s film awards season, kicking off with the flurry of fall festivals and picking up steam through the Oscar® telecast, creates endless fodder for pundits and an exciting horse race for movie fans. But for industry insiders, there’s much more at stake than statuettes: The awards campaign cycle drives big dollars at the box office and in TV advertising, fuels a robust ecosystem of red-carpet events from L.A. to London, and has the power to make or break artistic and executive careers. Join Katey Rich and a panel of awards-season insiders for a lively discussion of this year’s race, the buzziest contenders, and their impact on the business and culture of Hollywood. Rich is the awards editor at The Ankler, where she writes the biweekly Prestige Junkie newsletter and hosts the Prestige Junkie podcast.Sunday, October 20, 4 pm, Cinema 505FREE (tickets required)
Montclair’s Own Series
ABOUT THOSE MISCARRIAGES AND OTHER MESSES I’VE MADEBethany Hall’s one-uterus comedy show is a hilariously savage glimpse into the realities of motherhood and miscarriages. Raising kids, and building a family, is so complicated and invigorating that it makes you want to shout and cheer and cry all at the same time. About Those Miscarriages and Other Messes I’ve Made rejects the isolation, shame and guilt surrounding miscarriages and parenting. With great humor, it thoughtfully combines pain and grief with the thrilling, breathtaking (and exhausting) joy that is parenthood.Written & Performed by: Bethany HallDirected by: Maureen ToweyMusic by: Anne EisendrathTuesday, October 22, 7:00 PM, Cinema505
Montclair’s Own Series
StorySLAM: BEHIND THE SCENESJoin us for an evening of real, raw, and riveting stories that show life from a whole new perspective. “Behind The Scenes” explores stories that stray from the bigger picture, showing that things aren’t always as they may seem. Share your behind-the-scenes experiences and let the audience in on what may have happened when no one was looking.Wednesday, October 23, 7:30 PM, Cinema505
Montclair’s Own Series
Montclair Improv Comedy: THE MOVIE!Montclair Improv Comedy will celebrate “A Night of Movie-Themed Improv Comedy.” From short forms to never-seen-before movie trailers to a fully improvised movie, the entire night will be created completely in real-time, right before your eyes, and inspired by YOU and your suggestions. Join us during the Montclair Film Festival by celebrating a night of movie-themed comedy with Montclair Improv!Thursday, October 24, 7:30 PM, Cinema505
In ConversationAnnual Report: State Of The Film IndustryFilm has the unique power to shift culture, change hearts and occasionally blow minds. But after several years of disruption to the cinema pipeline — pandemic shutdowns, a broad industry pivot to streaming, plus the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that put a full stop to nearly all production — Hollywood is retrenching and exploring new strategies to get movies to the screen and to audiences.Sean McNulty will lead a discussion with film insiders about production, distribution, exhibition, and everything else it takes to make movie magic happen in a changing industry landscape. McNulty is the author of The Wakeup, the Hollywood and media newsletter from The Ankler, and the host of The Ankler podcast.Saturday, October 26, 1 pm, Cinema 505FREE (tickets required)
In Conversation
Artists, Audiences & Artificial IntelligenceSince ChatGPT’s debut in 2022, Hollywood and other creative industries have been racing to understand, capitalize on, and defend against the emergence of artificial intelligence tools. AI has the capacity to drive immense creativity in storytelling, but many industry stakeholders remain wary of its impact on the art and craft of cinema. As the tech itself continues its rapid evolution, companies and creators must adjust to how AI will remake the execution and distribution of filmed entertainment.Join Ashley Cullins and a panel of top media executives and AI innovators for a discussion of how AI has disrupted filmmaking and where the tech is going next. Cullins, who writes the Dealmakers newsletter for The Ankler, will moderate this important conversation of the future of AI and Hollywood.Saturday, October 26, 3:30pm, Cinema 505FREE (tickets required)
Special ScreeningTHE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOWDirector: Jim SharmanProducer: Michael WhiteCast: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’BrienUK/USA/100 mmSaturday, October 26, 9:30pm, Clairidge 2
The film, which made its world premiere earlier this month at the Telluride Film Festival, follows the unexpected death of the Pope and the efforts to select a new one. Adapted from Robert Harris’s novel and starring Stanley Tucci, Ralph Fiennes, and Isabella Rossellini, the Focus Features film is a strong awards-season contender. Berger, whose previous film “All Quiet on the Western Front” won four Academy Awards in 2023, will participate in a Q&A following the opening night screening at Montclair’s Wellmont Theater.
Based in an affluent, northern New Jersey suburb that is home to many entertainment creatives including longtime fest supporter Stephen Colbert, MFF will feature a mix of high-profile narrative films and documentaries. The fest will also include panel discussions. As part of MFF’s Storyteller Series, Colbert will lead a conversation with “Barefoot Contessa” star Ina Garten on Oct. 20. Event ticketholders will receive a copy of Garten’s new memoir “Be Ready When the Luck Happens.”
In addition to “Conclave,” Gints Zilbalodis’s animated “Flow,” Steve McQueen’s World War II epic “Blitz,” Jacques Audiard’s redemption thriller “Emilia Perez,” and Sean Baker’s “Anora” are among the Oscar hopefuls that will screen at MFF.
This year MFF will bring a bevy of highly anticipated docus including Asif Kapadia’s “2073,” R.J. Cutler’s “Martha,” Petra Costa’s “Apocoplypse in the Tropics” and the world premiere of Nanfu Wang’s “Night is Not Eternal.”
“We are incredibly grateful to these filmmakers for bringing their work to us,” says Tom Hall, Montclair Film artistic director and co-head. “This year’s program shows a profound engagement with the world, and presents an opportunity for our audiences to explore a wide array of ideas. We look forward to bringing these filmmakers and audiences together to create an unforgettable festival experience.”
Juried awards will be distributed across four categories including: documentary, fiction, New Jersey Films, which focuses on non-fiction filmmaking from New Jersey artists, and Future/ Now, which seeks to support emerging voices in independent filmmaking with The Mark Urman Award, a $5,000 cash prize to help support and encourage future work for the winning filmmaker.
In addition to Costa’s “Apocoplypse in the Tropics” and Wang’s “Night is Not Eternal,” this year’s MFF doc film competition includes Mati Diop’s “Dahomey,” Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s “A New King of Wilderness” and Johan Grimonpez’s “Soundtrak to a Coup D’Etat.”
This year’s fiction film competition features Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine As Light, Miguel Gomes’ “Grand Tour,” Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here,” Mohammad Rasoulof’s “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” and Matthew Rankin’s “Universal Language.”
As previously announced, WIlliam Goldenberg’s “Unstoppable” and Kapadia’s “2073” will serve as MFF’s fiction and documentary Centerpiece films respectively. Zilbalodis’s “Flow” will screen as the fest’s “Family Centerpiece” pic.
Malcolm Washington’s “The Piano Lesson” will close MFF on Oct. 27.
This year’s MFF lineup:FEATURE FILMS2073, directed by Asif KapadiaALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT, directed by Payal KapadiaAND SO IT BEGINS, directed by Ramona DiazANORA, directed by Sean BakerAPOCALYPSE IN THE TROPICS, directed by Petra CostaARMAND, directed by Halfdan Ullmann TøndelBETWEEN THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SKY, directed by Jeremy Power RegimbalBEYOND THE GAZE: JULE CAMPBELL’S SWIMSUIT ISSUE, directed by Jill CampbellBIRD, directed by Andrea ArnoldBLITZ, directed by Steve McQueenCAUGHT BY THE TIDES, directed by Jia Zhang-keCHRISTMAS EVE IN MILLER’S POINT, directed by Tyler TaorminaLA COCINA, directed by Alonso RuizpalaciosCONCLAVE, directed by Edward BergerDAHOMEY, directed by Mati DiopEEPHUS, directed by Carson LundEMILIA PÉREZ, directed by Jacques AudiardTHE END, directed by Joshua OppenheimerERNEST COLE: LOST AND FOUND, directed by Raul PeckEVERY LITTLE THING, directed by Sally AitkenEXTREMELY UNIQUE DYNAMIC, directed by Ivan Leung, Harrison Xu, Katherine DudasFLOW, directed by Gints ZilbalodisGAZER, directed by Ryan J. SloanTHE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE, directed by Magnus von HornGRAND TOUR, directed by Miguel GomesHARD TRUTHS, directed by Mike LeighHOMEGROWN, directed by Michael PremoI WILL BUILD THIS WORLD FROM LOVE, directed by John BlockI’M STILL HERE, directed by Walter SallesMARTHA, directed by R.J. CutlerMEMOIR OF A SNAIL, directed by Adam ElliotMEN OF WAR, directed by Billy Corbern and Jen GatienMICRO BUDGET, directed by Morgan EvansMISERICORDIA, directed by Alain GuiraudieA NEW KIND OF WILDERNESS, directed by Silje Evensmo JacobsenNIGHT IS NOT ETERNAL, directed by Nanfu Wang (World Premiere)NIGHTBITCH, directed by Marielle HellerON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL, directed by Rungano NyoniTHE ORDER, directed by Justin KurzelPAINT ME A ROAD OUT OF HERE, directed by Catherine GundPAVEMENTS, directed by Alex Ross PerryTHE PIANO LESSON, directed by Malcolm WashingtonPOLITICS IS A MOTHER, RAISING HELL IS PART OF THE JOB, directed by Francine Weinberg GroffRATIFIED, directed by Sabaah Folayan and Deborah Riley DraperTHE REMARKABLE LIFE OF IBELIN, directed by Benjamin ReeTHE ROOM NEXT DOOR, directed by Pedro AlmodóvarSABBATH QUEEN, directed by Sandi Simcha DubowskiTHE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG, directed by Mohammad RasoulofTHE SHEPHERD AND THE BEAR, directed by Max KeeganSMALL THINGS LIKE THESE, directed by Tim MielantsSONGS FROM THE HOLE, directed by Contessa GaylesSOUNDTRACK TO A COUP D’ETAT, directed by Johan GrimonpezSPACE COWBOY, directed by Bryce Leavitt and Marah StrauchSWAMP DOGG GETS HIS POOL PAINTED, directed by Isaac Gale and Ryan Olson, co-directed by David McMurryTWO STRANGERS TRYING NOT TO KILL EACH OTHER, directed by Manon Ouimet and Jacob PerlmutterUNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, directed by Matthew RankinUNSTOPPABLE, directed by WIlliam GoldenbergVERMIGLIO, directed by Maura DelperoWITCHES, directed by Elizabeth SankeyTHE WORLD ACCORDING TO ALLEE WILLIS, directed by Alexis Manya SpraicYOUNG HEARTS, directed by Anthony SchattemanZURAWSKI V TEXAS, directed by Maisie Crow and Abbie Perrault
SHORT FILMS
’98 HONDA, directed by Christian Banda51ST STATE, directed by Hannah RosenzweigALL THINGS METAL, directed by Motoki OtsukaAN ALMOST CHRISTMAS STORY, directed by David LoweryALOK, directed by Alex HedisonAMERICAN GRAIL: A QUEST FOR THE IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER, directed by Andy SarjahaniANUJA, directed by Adam GravesTHE BELIEVERS, directed by Evan NewmanBREAK/FIX, directed by Amanda PintoTHE BROWN DOG, directed by Jame-James Medina and Nadia HallgrenCHRISTMAS, EVERY DAY, directed by Faye TsakasDEATH BY NUMBERS, directed by Kim A. SnyderDEEP IN MY HEART IS A SONG, directed by Jonathan PIckettDEEP TISH, directed by Dave PaigeDENIAL, directed by Paul Moakley and Daniel LombrosoDISSOLUTION, directed by Anthony SaxeDIVINERS, directed by Brian WatkinsDON’T CRY FOR ME ALL YOU DRAG QUEENS, directed by Kristal SotomayorDREAM CAR WASH, directed by Edoardo BrighentiDUSK, directed by Emilio MonarrezECHOES OF POMEGRANATE, directed by Alex Bijan ZandiFACING THE FALLS, directed by Celia AniskovichFEMALE CAPTIVE, directed by Brit Crawshaw and Josh HaywardTHE FOREST (A FLORESTA), directed by Brooks DierdorffFREERIDE IN C, directed by Edmunds JansonsGOOD GUY WITH A PUN, directed by Dmitry MilkinGRACE, directed by Natalie Jasmine HarrisHENRIETTA FINDS A NEST, directed by Hannah McNallyI CAN’T BE SORRY, directed by Robert MachoianILY, BYE, directed by Taylor JamesINCOMING CALL, directed by Lisa MolinaroJEDO’S DEAD, directed by Sara NimehKASBI, directed by Farah JabirLITTLE BIRD, directed by Kirsty O’DonnellLIVESTREAMS WITH GRANDMAPUZZLES, directed by Emily SheskinLOFT AND FOUND, directed by Pete O’Hare and Phillip KibbeLYRICAL, directed by Carter M. StewartMEAN ENDS, directed by Émile LavoieMEEK, directed by Hannah SperlingᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (MEET ME AT THE CREEK), directed by Loren WatersTHE MEETING SPOT, directed by Lauren SickA MOVE, directed by Elahe EsmailiMY BACK PAGES, directed by Nick Canfield and Paul LovelaceMY BEST FRIEND, directed by Elina StreetMY DEAD DAD, directed by Abby Ellis and Erik OsterholmOUT OF THE DARK: CAL CALAMIA, directed by Tom Mason and Sarah KleinPENN F—ING STATION, directed by Claire ReadPENTATARMEX RABITULAR, directed by Casey FriedmanTHE PERFECT TOMATO, directed by Cristobal AbugaberPERSONAL MYTHOLOGIES, directed by Susan O’BrienPUNTER, directed by Jason Adam MaselleRAT!, directed by Neal Suresh MulaniREALLY GOOD DRIVER, directed by Alex Song-XiaRELATIONSHIP TO PATIENT, directed by Caroline CreagheadREPLAY, directed by Phil MazoTHE SACRIFICE, directed by Christopher WernerSANGRE VIOLENTA / SANGRE VIOLETA, directed by Edna Diaz and Arturo JiménezSHINER, directed by Nora MarrisSHIT ON YOUR LIP, directed by Elvira IbragimovaSLEEPING ALONE, directed by Kelsea Bauman-MurphySOMETHING BLUE, directed by Jinsui SongSTATUES ALSO DIE , directed by Alain Resnais, Chris Marker and Ghislain CloquetSTAY HERE, directed by Marley RankinSTEADY, directed by Joey Rogoff and Brian YuranSTRANGE CREATURES, directed by Nicholas Payne SantosTESSA, directed by Megan DahlTHERE CAN ONLY BE ONE…, directed by Britney FanTR(OL)L, directed by Yourgo ArtsitasTRAGEDY BABES, directed by Christa HaleyVELO LOVE, directed by Carlos Cruz and Sam MéndezWHAT WE DISCOVER ALONG THE WAY, directed by Rose Vincelli GustineWORKERS’ COMP, directed by Philip SteigerWORKING SUMMER, directed by LIly WeisbergYELLOW DAISY BUTTERFLY, directed by Diek Grobler
CONVERSATIONS, PANELS, & SPECIAL EVENTS
The Storyteller Series, presented by AudibleIna Garten, Hosted by Stephen ColbertIna Garten is a New York Times bestselling author of thirteen cookbooks and the James Beard Award-winning host of the Emmy Award Winning television shows BAREFOOT CONTESSA and BE MY GUEST, on Food Network and Discovery+. She lives in East Hampton, New York, with her husband, Jeffrey. Her memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, is included with a ticket to this conversation.Sunday, October 20, 12:00 pm, The Wellmont
In ConversationHollywood Awards Season: Who WIns And Why It MattersThe annual ritual of Hollywood’s film awards season, kicking off with the flurry of fall festivals and picking up steam through the Oscar® telecast, creates endless fodder for pundits and an exciting horse race for movie fans. But for industry insiders, there’s much more at stake than statuettes: The awards campaign cycle drives big dollars at the box office and in TV advertising, fuels a robust ecosystem of red-carpet events from L.A. to London, and has the power to make or break artistic and executive careers. Join Katey Rich and a panel of awards-season insiders for a lively discussion of this year’s race, the buzziest contenders, and their impact on the business and culture of Hollywood. Rich is the awards editor at The Ankler, where she writes the biweekly Prestige Junkie newsletter and hosts the Prestige Junkie podcast.Sunday, October 20, 4 pm, Cinema 505FREE (tickets required)
Montclair’s Own Series
ABOUT THOSE MISCARRIAGES AND OTHER MESSES I’VE MADEBethany Hall’s one-uterus comedy show is a hilariously savage glimpse into the realities of motherhood and miscarriages. Raising kids, and building a family, is so complicated and invigorating that it makes you want to shout and cheer and cry all at the same time. About Those Miscarriages and Other Messes I’ve Made rejects the isolation, shame and guilt surrounding miscarriages and parenting. With great humor, it thoughtfully combines pain and grief with the thrilling, breathtaking (and exhausting) joy that is parenthood.Written & Performed by: Bethany HallDirected by: Maureen ToweyMusic by: Anne EisendrathTuesday, October 22, 7:00 PM, Cinema505
Montclair’s Own Series
StorySLAM: BEHIND THE SCENESJoin us for an evening of real, raw, and riveting stories that show life from a whole new perspective. “Behind The Scenes” explores stories that stray from the bigger picture, showing that things aren’t always as they may seem. Share your behind-the-scenes experiences and let the audience in on what may have happened when no one was looking.Wednesday, October 23, 7:30 PM, Cinema505
Montclair’s Own Series
Montclair Improv Comedy: THE MOVIE!Montclair Improv Comedy will celebrate “A Night of Movie-Themed Improv Comedy.” From short forms to never-seen-before movie trailers to a fully improvised movie, the entire night will be created completely in real-time, right before your eyes, and inspired by YOU and your suggestions. Join us during the Montclair Film Festival by celebrating a night of movie-themed comedy with Montclair Improv!Thursday, October 24, 7:30 PM, Cinema505
In ConversationAnnual Report: State Of The Film IndustryFilm has the unique power to shift culture, change hearts and occasionally blow minds. But after several years of disruption to the cinema pipeline — pandemic shutdowns, a broad industry pivot to streaming, plus the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that put a full stop to nearly all production — Hollywood is retrenching and exploring new strategies to get movies to the screen and to audiences.Sean McNulty will lead a discussion with film insiders about production, distribution, exhibition, and everything else it takes to make movie magic happen in a changing industry landscape. McNulty is the author of The Wakeup, the Hollywood and media newsletter from The Ankler, and the host of The Ankler podcast.Saturday, October 26, 1 pm, Cinema 505FREE (tickets required)
In Conversation
Artists, Audiences & Artificial IntelligenceSince ChatGPT’s debut in 2022, Hollywood and other creative industries have been racing to understand, capitalize on, and defend against the emergence of artificial intelligence tools. AI has the capacity to drive immense creativity in storytelling, but many industry stakeholders remain wary of its impact on the art and craft of cinema. As the tech itself continues its rapid evolution, companies and creators must adjust to how AI will remake the execution and distribution of filmed entertainment.Join Ashley Cullins and a panel of top media executives and AI innovators for a discussion of how AI has disrupted filmmaking and where the tech is going next. Cullins, who writes the Dealmakers newsletter for The Ankler, will moderate this important conversation of the future of AI and Hollywood.Saturday, October 26, 3:30pm, Cinema 505FREE (tickets required)
Special ScreeningTHE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOWDirector: Jim SharmanProducer: Michael WhiteCast: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’BrienUK/USA/100 mmSaturday, October 26, 9:30pm, Clairidge 2