This article is sponsored by Montclair Film Festival.
Film lovers who want to connect with other cinephiles or attend Q+As with some of the biggest names in the industry will want to mark their calendars for the 12th Annual Montclair Film Festival. The festival begins on Friday, October 20th, and runs through Sunday, October 29th with a plethora of events in both Montclair and Newark — including screenings and panels at The Clairidge, NJPAC, and The Wellmont Theater. Keep reading to learn more about the Montclair Film Festival schedule and how to snag some tickets.
All About The Montclair Film Festival
The Montclair Film Festival is the signature event organized annually by Montclair Film, a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to presenting films and year-round programs that engage, entertain, and educate through the power of visual storytelling. The 10-day Montclair Film Festival brings film lovers and industry professionals together to celebrate emerging artists, groundbreaking documentaries, and independent films.
“We are incredibly honored to be able to share the work of so many incredible artists at the Montclair Film Festival,” Montclair Film Artistic Director Tom Hall told The Montclair Girl. “This year’s festival is filled with major new works by some of the world’s greatest living filmmakers along with outstanding films from emerging filmmakers from around the globe. We look forward to seeing our patrons at the festival for what promises to be a great year of filmgoing, conversation, and connection.”
Many screenings include conversations with filmmakers which gives audience members a chance to learn more about the process and creative decisions that influenced the production.
This Year’s Screenings + Events
^Dream Scenario
The Montclair Film Festival calendar is packed with 10 days of film screenings and events. The festival kicks off on Friday, October 20th with a screening of Dream Scenario, an A24 release written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli and starring Nicolas Cage as an anxious professor who becomes an instant celebrity once he finds out he has been showing up in many people’s dreams. This screening is being held at 7:00PM at The Wellmont Theater and will be followed by a Q+A with writer and director Kristoffer Borgli and the festival’s Opening Night Party with a DJ and dancing on The Wellmont Theater’s floor.
The festival’s documentary centerpiece, Stamped From The Beginning, will be shown on Sunday, October 22nd at 3:45PM at The Wellmont Theater. This is a documentary adaptation of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s bestseller of the same name and tells the story of the anti-Black racist ideas that have influenced American history. The Oscar-winning director Roger Ross Williams will be on stage for a Q+A after the screening.
The festival will end with a screening of the neo-noir film Eileen on Sunday, October 29th at 7:30PM at The Montclair Kimberley Academy Upper School. This film, which stars Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie, was filmed in New Jersey. It is based on a book by Ottessa Moshfegh and tells the story of a friendship that takes some unexpected twists and turns.
Other Screenings on the Schedule Include:
^ American Symphony
American Symphony | The Wellmont Theater
Saturday, October 21st at 3:30PM
Followed by a Q+A with documentary Filmmaker Award winner Matthew Heineman, Jon Batiste, and Suleika Jaouad.
May December | The Wellmont Theater
Saturday, October 21st at 7:30PM
Followed by a Q+A with Director Award winner Todd Haynes led by Stephen Colbert.
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt | The Clairidge
Saturday, October 21st at 8:00PM
Followed by a Q+A with Breakthrough Writer Director Raven Jackson.
^Breaking the News
Breaking the News | The Clairidge
Sunday, October 22nd at 2:30PM
Followed by a Q+A with David Carr Award Winner Princess A. Hairston and 19th* Editor In Chief Erin Haines.
The Holdovers | The Wellmont Theater
Sunday, October 22nd at 7:30PM
Robot Dreams | The Clairidge + The Montclair Kimberley Academy Upper School
A special sensory-friendly screening on Sunday, October 22nd at 1:30PM at The Clairidge.
Saturday, October 28th at 4:00PM at The Montclair Kimberley Academy Upper School.
The Zone of Interest | The Montclair Kimberley Academy Upper School
Sunday, October 29th at 3:45PM
Followed by a Q+A with Breakthrough Performer Christian Friedel.
^ Filmmaker Martin Scorsese
The Montclair Film Festival includes an exciting lineup of special events in addition to the screenings. Martin Scorsese is being honored with the 2023 Filmmaker Tribute and will join Stephen Colbert for an unforgettable conversation celebrating his legendary career as one of cinema’s greatest filmmakers. This event will take place on Friday, October 27th at 8PM at NJPAC in Newark.
Other events include a scavenger hunt where participants can earn prizes during the 10-day festival by submitting pictures of completed tasks found on the scavenger hunt list. On Tuesday, October 24th at 8PM at Pineapple Express, local Montclair musicians will perform some of their favorite movie music moments.
There are so many events to look forward to at The Montclair Film Festival with the full lineup of screenings, events, and panels that can be found on the Montclair Film website.
How to Get Tickets + Become a Member
Presale tickets are available now for Montclair Film Members with tickets. Montclair Film Members receive early access and discounts on tickets to the Montclair Film Festival and The Clairidge, members-only screenings, and more all year long.
Tickets for the general public go on sale on October 6th at 10AM. Tickets for the Montclair Film Festival can be purchased online or at the festival box office located inside the lobby of the Hinck building at 486 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair.
Montclair Film is a non-profit that educates and entertains local audiences through the power of visual storytelling. This mission is only possible through the generous support of donors, members, and sponsors.
Membership comes with early access to purchase tickets for the annual film festival and discounts on screenings and key events. Montclair Film also operates The Clairidge, a historic theater that was revitalized in time for the 2021 Montclair Film Festival. Montclair Film members enjoy discounted movie tickets, concessions, and merchandise at The Clairidge all year long.
The Montclair Film Festival will take place from October 20th- 29th, 2023 in Montclair and Newark. Click here for the full schedule and festival guide for the Montclair Film Festival.
Tickets for the Montclair Film Festival are available online and at the festival box office located at 486 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Call 973-783-6433 or reach out to info@montclairfilm.org with questions.
