Where are the good movies?
You’ve heard it before. Hollywood doesn’t do anything original any more. It’s all superhero adaptations, remakes, remakes of remakes, and even remakes of remakes of remakes. So where can one go to find truly original movies – features, shorts, animation and more? Why film festivals, of course. And this month there’s a good one just outside New York City, in Montclair, NJ.
The Montclair Film Festival is a diverse, culturally vibrant event for global filmmakers and film enthusiasts that showcases new works from American and international filmmakers. The festival is held between mid- to late- October in Montclair, New Jersey. This year is the 13th annual festival, and it will be held October 18-–27.
The wide world of film festivals.
There are a bunch of interesting films that will be playing at this and other festivals around the country, and here we’re going to share ## that seem particularly cool. But first, we’re compelled to share some of the incredible data about film festivals compiled by Stephen Follows. For example, did you know that most film festivals begin on a Friday and day 5 is typically the busiest day for festivals? If you want to truly geek out on data related to the movie business in general – like which countries are most offended by swearing in films, check out Stephen Follows.
But we digress. Here are some of the films we really want to see at the Montclair Film Festival this year….
Conclave
- The opening night film
- Friday, October 18
- Genre: Fiction, Drama, Faith, Feature Film, Party, Based on a Book, Q&A
- Director: Edward Berger
- Country: UK/ USA
- Runtime: 120 min
- Release Year: 2024
CONCLAVE is a psychological thriller that offers a look into the secretive world of papal elections. When the beloved Pope unexpectedly dies, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert. As the Church’s most powerful leaders gather at the Vatican, Lawrence starts to uncover a web of important secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake.
Flow
- Saturday, October 19
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy
- Director: Gints Zilbalodis
- Country: Latvia/ Belgium/ France
- Runtime: 84 min
- Release Year: 2024
In FLOW, a courageous cat must find a way to survive after a devastating flood destroyed his home. Teaming up with a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog, he starts on a dangerous adventure by boat, relying on trust and teamwork in search of dry land, facing countless challenges along the way.
Flow was selected to premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. The film was screened at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where it was awarded the Jury Award, the Audience Award, and the Gan Foundation Award for Distribution in the Feature Film category.
Anora
- Sunday, October 20
- Genre: comedy-drama, Romance
- Director: Sean Baker
- Country: USA
- Runtime: 139 min
- Release Year: 2024
Anora, a young woman from Brooklyn, gets a surprising opportunity when she marries the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. However, her fairytale quickly turns into a nightmare when the oligarch’s parents arrive in New York to break up the marriage.
The film premiered on May 21, 2024, in competition at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d’Or.
Vermiglio
- Tuesday, October 22
- Genre: Fiction, Drama.
- Director: Maura Delpero
- Country: Italy/ France/ Belgium
- Runtime: 119 min
- Release Year: 2024
In the midst of World War II, a soldier named Pietro seeks refuge in a small mountain village. His arrival disrupts the peaceful lives of the locals, and he falls in love with the schoolmaster’s eldest daughter, Lucia. Their love story leads to marriage and an unexpected future.
The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and won the Grand Jury Prize.It was designated as the Italian entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards
Shorts for All Ages
Sunday, October 20
Shorts for All Ages includes 8 Shorts:
- AN ALMOST CHRISTMAS STORY
Director: David Lowery
USA, 21 min
A young owl named Moon finds himself trapped in a Christmas tree headed for Rockefeller Plaza. During his escape attempts, he meets a lost girl named Luna, and they work together to find their way back to their parents
- FREERIDE IN C
Director: Edmunds Jansons
Latvia, 10 min
Downhill skiers disturb the white peaceful serenity of mountains
- HENRIETTA FINDS A NEST
Director: Hannah McNally
USA, 7 min
A young chick named Henrietta is on a heartwarming journey from a factory farm to friendship with a little girl.
- LIVESTREAMS WITH GRANDMAPUZZLES
Director: Emily Sheskin
USA, 6 min
A lifelong passion becomes a lifeline for an unexpected Twitch streamer.
- TESSA
Director: Megan Dahl
USA, 16 min
A young girl with a physical disability finds freedom and confidence through swimming.
- THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE…
Director: Britney Fan
USA, 3 min
Kat meets her biggest, most unexpected challenge when she enters her boyfriend’s apartment: his cat.
- VELO LOVE
Directors: Sam Méndez, Carlos Cruz
USA, 11 min
A,story of two bicycles that fall in love while parked outside the café, in a dialogue-free film.
- YELLOW DAISY BUTTERFLY
Director: Diek Grobler
South Africa, 10 min
Cheri-Lee is heartbroken when her grandmother, Daisy, passes away. But Daisy’s spirit lives on. She returns to Earth as a small white egg that hatches into a butterfly, bringing comfort and hope to her grieving granddaughter.
I’m Still Here
- Monday, October 21
- Genre: Fiction, Drama.
- Director: Walter Salles
- Country: Brazil
- Runtime: 136 min
- Release Year: 2024
Eunice Paiva, a mother of five, is forced to fight for her family’s survival and to find strength and resilience when their life is shattered by an act of arbitrary violence.
The film was awarded with the Golden Osella for Best Screenplay, and was selected as the Brazil entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
Memoir of a Snail
- Sunday, October 20
- Genre: Animation, Drama.
- Director: Adam Elliot
- Country: Australia
- Runtime: 94 min
- Release Year: 2024
In the 1970s, Grace’s life in Australia is filled with sorrow and misfortune. She and her twin brother are raised by their troubled father, after their mother’s death during pregnancy. Their father’s death forces them apart, and they face a difficult future. However, as time passes, Grace finds a glimmer of hope in a lasting friendship
The film had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on 10 June 2024
Unstoppable
- Saturday, October 19
- Genre: Biographical sports drama
- Director: William Goldenberg
- Country: USA
- Runtime: 116 “min
- Release Year: 2024
The film tells the true story of Anthony Robles, an athlete born with one leg who overcomes incredible challenges with his mother’s and coaches’ support. Anthony overcomes countless obstacles to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team and ultimately reaches his dream of becoming an NCAA champion.
Unstoppable was awarded the Rising Star Award in Middleburg Film Festival, and the Lumiere Award in Savannah Film Festival
The Order
- Sunday, October 20
- Genre: Historical crime thriller
- Director: Justin Kurzel
- Country: USA
- Runtime: 116 min
- Release Year: 2024
The film is a true story about a series of daylight bank robberies and armored car heists in the Pacific Northwest. As the attacks escalate, FBI agent Terry Husk (Jude Law) becomes convinced that a domestic terrorist group is behind the crimes, planning to use the stolen money to fund an armed insurrection against the U.S. government.
The Order had its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2024, where it competed for the Golden Lion.
Nightbitch
- Sunday, October 27
- Genre: Comedy horror
- Director: Marielle Heller
- Country: USA
- Runtime: 98 min
- Release Year: 2024
This darkly comedic film follows a stay-at-home mom (Amy Adams) as she faces the challenges of motherhood and the loss of her former identity.
After that her life takes a surreal turn, trying to handle the stress and frustrations that can arise in the search for the balance between motherhood and self-discovery.
The film won Best Motion Picture in Sitges Film Festival, Director Award in Montclair Film Festival, and Visionary Award in Chicago International Film Festival.
The End
- Sunday, October 20
- Genre: Drama, Science Fiction
- Director: Joshua Oppenheimer
- Country: USA
- Runtime: 148 min
- Release Year: 2024
This film is a post-apocalyptic musical drama set in a world devastated by a climate catastrophe. A small group of survivors seeks refuge deep underground forming a family and trying to rebuild a new world. However, the hidden secrets of the past threaten to destroy their fragile existence.
The End was awarded The Golden Seashell in San Sebastián International Film Festival, and the Gold Hugo in Chicago International Film Festival
Extremely Unique Dynamic
- Saturday, October 20
- Genre: Fiction, Comedy
- Director: Ivan Leung, Harrison Xu, Katherine Dudas
- Country: USA
- Runtime: 73 min
- Release Year: 2024
A meta-comedy that talk about the world of filmmaking and the complexities of friendship. Two best friends, played by Harrison Xu, Ivan Leung, and Katherine Dudas, decide to make a movie about two guys making a movie about two guys making a movie. The film explores the complexities of friendship and the power of believing in yourself and your friends.
Universal Langauge
- Tuesday, October 22
- Genre: Drama, Comedy
- Director: Matthew Rankin
- Country: Canada
- Runtime: 88 min
- Release Year: 2024
A surreal comedy set in between Tehran and Winnipeg, this film follows the stories of Negin and Nazgol, who find frozen money in the winter snow, Massoud, a tour guide leading a disoriented group; and Matthew, who leaves his job in Quebec and returns home.
The film won the Directors Fortnight program’s first Audience Award at Cannes,the Bright Horizons Award at the 2024 Melbourne International Film Festival, and the Best Canadian Discovery Award at TIFF. The film has been also selected as Canada’s submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
The Girl with the Needle
- Saturday, October 19
- Genre: Drama, Thriller
- Director: Magnus von Horn
- Country: Denmark/ Poland/ Sweden
- Runtime: 115 min
- Release Year: 2024
Post-WWI Copenhagen, Karoline, a young factory worker, is struggling to survive after she finds herself unemployed, abandoned, and pregnant. She turns to Dagmar, a woman running an underground adoption agency and a bond forms between them, but then Karoline’s discovers the shocking truth about Dagmar’s work.
The film was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
Grand Tour
- Saturday, October 19
- Genre: Historical drama
- Director: Miguel Gomes
- Country: Portugal/ Italy/ France/ Germany/ Japan/ China
- Runtime: 128 min
- Release Year: 2024
In 1917 Rangoon, Burma, Edward, a British civil servant, runs away from his fiancée Molly on their wedding day. As he travels, his panic turns to melancholy, and he begins to question the emptiness of his life. Meanwhile, Molly follows him on his travels determined to marry him.
Miguel Gomes won Palme d’Or and Best Director in Cannes Film Festival, and the film was nominated for Best Film award in Sydney Film Festival.
Armand
- Sunday, October 20
- Genre: Thriller drama
- Director: Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
- Country: Norway
- Runtime: 117 min
- Release Year: 2024
An incident between two six-year-olds, Armand and Jon, occurs on the last day before school holidays. Their parents get called in for a meeting as the school administration is unable to determine the exact nature of the event. What began as a seemingly innocent children’s game turns into a series of chaotic dark events between parents and school staff.
At the 77th Cannes Film Festival the film won the Caméra d’Or.
Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point
- Saturday, October 19
- Genre: Comedy – Drama
- Director: Tyler Taormina
- Country: USA
- Runtime: 106 min
- Release Year: 2024
A holiday comedy that shows the dynamics of a chaotic extended family as they gather in their small Long Island hometown for Christmas, two teenage cousins take advantage of the chaos to sneak out and create their own unique Christmas adventure.
Bird
- Saturday, October 19
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Andrea Arnold
- Country: UK
- Runtime: 119 min
- Release Year: 2024
Bailey, a 12-year-old girl, lives with her single father Bug and her brother in a rundown squat in North Kent. Neglected by her father, Bailey meets Bird whose compassion shows her a different way of seeing the world
The film won Prix de la Citoyenneté in Cannes Film Festival and Outstanding Female-Led Feature Film in Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival.
All We Imagine as Light
- Saturday, October 19
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Payal Kapadia
- Country: France/ India/ Netherlands/ Luxembourg/ Italy
- Runtime: 110 min
- Release Year: 2024
Prabha and Anu, two Malayali nurses living in Mumbai, are struggling with their relationships. They decide to take a road trip to a beach town, where the forest becomes a shelter and a place for their dreams to manifest.
The film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, won the Grand Prix, and was the first film from India to compete in the main competition since 1994.
Small Things Like These
- Saturday, October 19
- Genre: Historical drama
- Director: Tim Mielants
- Country: Ireland/ Belgium/ USA
- Runtime: 96 min
- Release Year: 2024
In 1985 Ireland, Bill Furlong (Cillian Murphy) discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent. When his family and community decidevto remain silent and refuse to act, Bill must confront his own past and decide whether to let injustice prevail discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent. As his family and community remain silent, Bill is forced to confront his own past and decide if he will stand up against injustice.
Misericordia
- Sunday, October 20
- Genre: Drama,Thriller
- Director: Alain Guiraudie
- Country: France
- Runtime: 102 min
- Release Year: 2024
Jérémie, a former resident of Saint-Martial, returns to his hometown for his ex-boss’s funeral. While staying with the widow Martine, his presence starts disturbing her son, Vincent, then their argument escalates into violence resulting in Vincent’s death at Jérémie’s hands. With the help of the local priest, Jérémie tries to cover up his crime.
The film premiered in the Cannes Premiere section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on 20 May 2024, where it competed for the Queer Palm.
The Piano Lesson
- Closing Night Film
- Sunday, October 27
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Malcolm Washington
- Country: USA
- Runtime: 125 min
- Release Year: 2024
A family heirloom piano becomes the center of a conflict between two siblings in the Charles household. One sibling wants to sell it to make money, while the other is determined to preserve it as a family legacy. Their uncle tries to find a solution but the family’s past conflicts make it nearly impossible. Based on August Wilson’s play, “The Piano Lesson,” the film explores themes of identity, resilience, and the complex relationship between the past and the present.
The film won 8 awards, of them the Performance Award and Breakthrough Director Award at Montclair Film Festival
Why are film events important?
Film festivals are vibrant events where filmmakers can present their work to audiences from around the globe. These festivals provide a chance for filmmakers to connect with people, get feedback on their films, and receive recognition for their artistic achievements.t.
From international gatherings to smaller screenings and showcases, film festivals offer a diverse range of experiences to all tastes and interests.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.us.
