Metro Philadelphia is happy to introduce its new column, NOW SHOWING, courtesy of the Philadelphia Film Society. The column will explore the vibrant world of cinema, as well as discuss film events happening in Philadelphia and offer in-depth industry insights.
Whether you’re a casual moviegoer or a devoted cinephile, NOW SHOWING will offer fresh perspectives, expert reviews, and behind-the-scenes stories to keep you connected to the ever-evolving Philly film scene.
You know it’s spring time in Philly when your neighbors begin to emerge from their rowhomes, the Schuylkill River Trail and outdoor dining is packed, and cinephiles have finally laid to rest their joy and/or heartbreak over this year’s Academy Awards.
Here at the Philadelphia Film Society we are already salivating over a whole year’s worth of new and exciting films debuting at major film festivals like Sundance, SXSW and beyond. We have our new and improved annual SpringFest kicking off April 17; now with more Philly filmmaker representation. Plus a huge line up of repertory screenings featuring a dive into what fueled the late great, Eraserhood royalty David Lynch’s most beautiful nightmares, a ‘90s sci-fi double feature, and brand new restorations of rarely screened films from the crazed mind behind one of the all time greatest cult-films, 1977’s HOUSE (HAUSU).
SpringFest 2025
Sweeping romance, body-horror, literary obsessions, powerful protests and a whole lot of local films will be screened over one week (April 17-24) at this year’s SpringFest. Featuring a slate of 10 Philadelphia Premieres from around the world and 31 features and shorts from some of Philly’s newest voices in film, this year’s SpringFest is going to thaw even the coldest of hearts. Here are the film picks:
‘Laura’
Who killed Laura? The question that haunts Otto Preminger’s pitch-perfect noir about a dead socialite and an NYPD detective’s trail of clues into a world of wealth, subterfuge, and murder where anyone is a suspect. Our first entry in our year-long series dedicated to the wonderful disparate films that influenced David Lynch.
‘Dark City’ and ‘Event Horizon’ Double Feature
The ‘90s were a hey-day for big budget studio sci-fi and horror. On Saturday, April 12, we will be screening the epic retro-future brainmelter mystery ‘Dark City’ (Dir. Alex Proyas, ‘The Crow’) on 35mm along with a 4K restoration screening of the unforgettable spaceage acid trip ‘Event Horizon’ (Dir. Paul W.S. Anderson).
‘The Shrouds’ and David Cronenberg series
The newest acclaimed film from filmmaker David Cronenberg, (‘The Fly,’ ‘Videodrome,’ ‘Naked Lunch’) opening April 18 at PFS, is a personal meditation on death and loss. What better way to celebrate than screening films from his legendary 50+ year career throughout April.
‘School in the Crosshairs’
After cementing permanent cult status with his off-the-wall debut, 1977’s ‘HOUSE’ (HAUSU), Nobuhiko Ôbayashi continued to explore nostalgia, youth, and our fleeting memories in surreal and eccentric ways. We are excited to be one of the first theaters in the country to present brand new restorations of his rare, exhilarating run in the ‘80s starting with ‘School in the Crosshairs.’
For more information, showtimes or to purchase tickets, visit filmadelphia.org
Trey Shields is Director of Year-Round Programming and Senior Festival Programmer at the Philadelphia Film Society.
