The Philadelphia Film Festival boasts a plethora of premieres

This year's Philadelphia Film Festival isn’t the first time the Roxy Theater will be used since undergoing massive renovations (it was reopened in December 2013). But this is the first time the theater, managed and leased by the Philadelphia Film Society, will be seeing such a big event.

Just under $1 million went into the Roxy’s renovations last year, according to Philadelphia Film Festival executive director Andrew Greenblatt. And he looks forward to showcasing it and attracting a new audience to the theater during its regular operating times. The Roxy will serve as the Festival's main box office, and screenings will take place in several locations, including the Roxy, the Kimmel Center, the Prince Music Theater, and Ritz Theater locations.

“There’s nothing we didn’t do to it,” Greenblatt said of the renovations. “There is so little original Roxy left there. What you see on the exterior is the only thing that’s original.”

The guts of the theater were removed. The entire layout inside was changed, making the rooms smaller to maximize good viewing angles and sound. The floors were angled instead of flat so moviegoers in the back have a better viewing experience. There are even new seats and a new state-of-the-art sound system.

First-ever double show at opening night

It’s not typical of the Philadelphia Film Festival to have two opening night films — usually, there’s only one and then an opening night party. But Greenblatt said the committee was “so in love with” two that they decided to showcase them both. This year, the opening films and after-party are coming to the Kimmel Center.

St. Vincent, starring Bill Murray, is about a broke, alcoholic Vietnam War veteran with a gambling problem who ends up being a caretaker for his neighbor’s 12-year-old son. It shows only once on opening night — October 16 — at 6pm.

The other opening night film, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), screens at 8:30pm. Michael Keaton stars in this black comedy as a former action hero movie star who desperately tries to salvage his career and personal life. (According to the Festival website, advance tickets to Birdman are sold out, but a limited number of rush tickets will be made available at the Kimmel shortly before showtime.)

Ensuring film is for everyone

Greenblatt also said one of the Festival’s goals is to ensure a night at the movies is affordable for everyone. That’s why the Festival offers a number of free entrances to specific movies, including the American Independent and Documentary film selections. Those tickets can be claimed at the Roxy box office.

“It’s an effort to make the Festival more accessible to everybody,” Greenblatt said.

In addition to ensuring filmgoers can see what they want to, Greenblatt encourages folks to purchase tickets online in advance.

“The more popular ones fill up quickly,” he said.

All of these movies will be shown for the first time in Philadelphia and aren’t available online. There are eight U.S. premieres, two world premieres, and nine films nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards.

The Philadelphia Film Festival is running at the Roxy Theater (2023 Sansom Street) and throughout the city from October 16-26. Visit the Festival online to find the full schedule, browse all films, and buy tickets.