The Philadelphia Film Society is celebrating 35 years of the Philadelphia Film Festival—and 25 years as an organization—with 'Reel October: The Philadelphia Film Festival at 35,' a month-long celebration of cinema taking over the city.
The festivities begin Oct. 1 with two weeks of curated 35mm screenings featuring “classic, rare, and artistically influential films”, all presented on celluloid. As the Society notes, it’s a chance to experience these films the way they were meant to be seen — on a big screen with projected light on actual film.
“As we celebrate 35 years of the Festival and 25 years of the Philadelphia Film Society, we wanted to create something truly special for our audiences,” says J. Andrew Greenblatt, CEO & Executive Director of the Philadelphia Film Society. “Reel October honors cinema’s groundbreaking past while showcasing the bold voices shaping its future. It’s an invitation for the entire city to join us in celebrating the art of film.”
The line-up includes features like ‘The White Ribbon’, ‘The Five Heartbeats’, ‘Rachel Getting Married’, ‘Jawbreaker’, ‘The Exorcist’ and more. The 35mm series will lead directly into the 35th Philadelphia Film Festival, running Oct. 15 to 25, with a packed lineup of premieres and community programs at venues across the city.
What can you look forward to at the Festival? The 2026 celebration will feature a lineup of world, U.S., and Philadelphia premieres with filmmaker Q&As, special guest appearances, red carpet events, and community programs. Other special events include Opening and Closing Night parties, citywide meetups, and the return of 'Film Festaurant Week,' featuring local restaurant partners.
The Festival offers several badge options to fit different schedules and levels of access, including VIP, All Access, First Half, Second Half, and Student badges. VIP, All Access, and Half badges include priority admission to screenings, RSVP access to Centerpiece films, and exclusive perks at the Festival Lounge. Note, student badge access varies, but PFS members can also save $50 on an All Access Badge or $25 on either a First Half or Second Half Badge.
The celebration extends beyond October, too. Throughout 2026, PFS will mark its 25th anniversary with special screenings and events, including the new Surprise 35! series at the Film Society Center. Launched earlier this year, the series spotlights a mix of films that helped shape cinema alongside rarely screened archival gems.
For a full picture of what to expect during Reel October and the 35th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival, visit filmadelphia.org
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