An 11-day celebration of cinema, showcasing international cinema, independent filmmakers, and emerging voices.
The 2026 Philadelphia Film Festival marked its 35th edition alongside the Philadelphia Film Society’s 25th anniversary. Over 11 days, the festival showcased more than 140 films, including world premieres, international cinema, documentaries, genre films, shorts, and awards-season contenders. The celebration extended beyond the festival with Reel October, a special series of 35mm screenings honoring the history of cinema and the enduring appeal of the moviegoing experience.
The festival kicked off on the 15th of October with a premiere of The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, written and directed by Noah Segan and starring John Turturro. Following the screening, Segan participated in a Q&A with audience members, offering insight into the film’s creation. Opening night festivities continued with a celebration at F1 Arcade in Center City Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Film Society CEO and Executive Director J. Andrew Greenblatt and Artistic Director and Chief Creative Officer Michael Lerman helped bring the festival’s diverse lineup of premieres, screenings, and special events to life. Together, they worked to create a destination for international cinema while providing a platform for independent filmmakers and emerging voices to gain recognition.
Among the festival’s offerings was the Elvis Mitchell Suite, which brought filmmakers and entertainment professionals together for conversations exploring their creative journeys, approaches to storytelling, and the evolving film industry. Extending the festival experience beyond the big screen, these discussions offered attendees an opportunity to gain valuable insight into the creative process and hear from established voices in entertainment.
On the 18th of October, writer-director Tony Gilroy joined Elvis Mitchell for an engaging conversation surrounding his film Behemoth!, starring Pedro Pascal. The discussion offered audience members a behind the scenes look at the film’s creative origins, including inspiration behind the film’s unique title.
The Elvis Mitchell Suite also welcomed the creative teams behind I Don’t Want to Drink Your Blood Anymore and Joy Will Prevail, both of which celebrated their world premieres at this year’s festival. During their conversations with Mitchell, the filmmakers offered audiences a deeper look into the inspiration behind their projects, exploring the creative decisions, personal experiences, and unique perspectives that shaped each film. The discussions further highlighted the festival’s commitment to championing independent cinema and creating meaningful opportunities for filmmakers to share the stories behind their work.
The festival concluded on October 25th with a closing-night screening of Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut, starring Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, and Halle Bailey. Adding to the evening’s celebration, the festival presented its first-ever Fresh Air Live collaboration with WHYY, featuring an onstage conversation between journalist and host, Terry Gross and Eisenberg. The festivities continued at Stratus Lounge, bringing the 35th edition of the Philadelphia Film Festival to a close.