What To Know About The 2023 Philadelphia Film Festival

The Philadelphia Film Festival returns for the 32^nd year beginning Thursday, October 19, 2023! I’ve been to almost all of them. I love film festivals because you’re seeing films that are made independently which means no big movie company is behind it. It’s a chance for new filmmakers to showcase their art and possibly gain major distribution.

After each film screening, the audience hands in a ballot of how they rate it – Excellent, good, poor.  These rankings help a film company decide whether to purchase the film rights and distribute it in theaters worldwide. Some of these films end up winning Oscars. Others get a deal with a streaming company, while some films may never be seen again.

The PFF gives awards each year, too, to help boost a film’s rankings. Those awards are based on the way the audience votes on their paper ballots.

The Philadelphia Film Festival (PFF) runs from October 19-29. During the ten days, films can be seen during the day and evening at three movie theaters in Center City - Philadelphia Film Center at 1412 Chestnut Street, PFS Bourse Theater, 400 Ranstead Street, and PFS East, 125 S 2nd St.

You don’t have to buy a ticket for the entire festival. You can buy a ticket for one film and call it quits. For some of the films, you don’t need a ticket at all. Those films are in the “PFS on Us” category.

A highlight for me is seeing the director or stars of a film come on stage afterward to answer questions or be interviewed. It doesn’t happen after every film but it is announced beforehand when these appearances will happen.

John Legend is one star who will appear this year after his film makes its world debut on Friday, October 20 at the Philadelphia Film Center at 6:00 pm. He is the Executive Producer of Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School.

Legend, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania has a film company called Get Lifted Film Co. He’ll be interviewed by Alex Holley of Channel 29’s Good Day Philadelphia along with the director, Amy Schatz, and co-executive Producer Mike Jackson.

This film focuses on Hill-Freedman World Academy (HFWA), a Philadelphia public high school. They have a music program that encourages students to channel their thoughts, feelings, and dreams into an album of electrifying original songs.

Nicholas Cage stars in a Centerpiece film called Dream Scenario. It will be shown at the Philadelphia Film Center right after the John Legend film, at 8:00 pm. I’m planning to see both of these films. Also, wondering if Nicholas Cage might appear after his. Maybe if nothing else, to revisit the city where he made the film National Treasure!

One last note of interest for Philadelphia rock fans. Art Dealers is a film that showcases the Philadelphia rock 'n roll band Low Cut Connie. Captured live in their prime as they mount a three-show run in New York City around the release of their newest album called Art Dealers, the documentary delves into the years of heartbreak, success, and laughs that contributed to the humble Adam Weiner and his band’s evolution into the brazen, sweaty, beer-soaked revelry that is a Low Cut Connie show. Art Dealers starts at 9:45 pm at the Philadelphia Film Center on Friday, October 27. It runs 79 minutes and will be followed by a Q+A and a live performance.

For all information about ticket sales, schedule of films, etc, go here.

Here are 9 songs that show love to Philadelphia, the City Of Brotherly Love.

Philadelphia is a big-time music town. Hall & Oates, Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Chubby Checker, Bill Haley & The Comets, The Hooters, Todd Rundgren, Boyz 2 Men, The Roots, etc... Those were just the artists that came to the top of mind.  Believe me, there are tons more!

Philly is home to some of the best music venues past and present in the country. The Fillmore, Franklin Music Hall(formerly the Electric Factory), The Met, Union Transfer, The Mann Center, World Cafe Live, The Dell Center, The Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA), and the Kimmel Center.  Those are the venues that are still around and thriving.

Did you know American Bandstand started right here in Philly?  True story! It premiered in Philly in 1952 on what is now WPVI - Channel 6. Dick Clark took over the hosting duties in 1956 and the rest is history.

My parents tell me that American Bandstand was THE TV show back then.  Everyone wanted to be on the show because they not only played the best music to dance to but they would have awesome live performances.

Check out the video below of The Jackson 5 performing live on American Bandstand!

Philly is so in touch with the music scene that it has its own Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame.  You can find it in Center City on the Avenue of the Arts. Some notable members that are honored with their names on the Walk of Fame consist of: Patti LaBelle, Boyz 2 Men, Frankie Avalon, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Teddy Pendergrass, Todd Rundgren, Dick Clark, Jerry Blavat, Jim Croce, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Joan Jett, Peter Nero, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kevin Eubanks, The Trammps, The Roots, Sister Sledge, Jill Scott, The Bacon Brothers, Leslie Odom Jr.

We are talking LEGENDS!

Lots of these artists credit Philadelphia as giving them their start.  I did some research and tried to find the most memorable songs that love to the City of Brotherly Love.

Take a look below:

Bruce Springsteen lends his voice to the Philadelphia movie soundtrack for this classic.  Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington were both brilliant in the film as Tom Hanks earned his first Oscar win.

This is just a classic.  Will Smith, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the basketball court scene.  Everyone in the world knows the lyrics to this song.

If you think of a Philly song, this may be the first one to come to mind.  Thank you to Sir Elton John for showing the City of Brotherly Love some British love!

This Philly duo helped put Philly hip hop on the map.  The music video is amazing with the 2 guys riding in the back of a car all around the city.

Neil Young was brilliant on this song also on the Philadelphia movie soundtrack.

The iconic 90's boy band show love with this love letter to their city.

The Philly natives show love to their hometown with this beautiful song.

Can you get more Philly than this song?  You can just see it... Rocky running up the Art Museum steps.  It exudes Philly!

Another Philly staple.  2 words: Soul Train. "I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!"