Centre Film Festival returns Oct. 30-Nov. 5 with ‘something for everyone’

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — It’s accurate and simple because the Centre Film Festival’s name fits perfectly, both in terms of geography and in terms of what it delivers.

For seven days beginning Oct. 30, the Centre County-based and Penn State-powered festival, with screenings at the State Theatre in State College and the Rowland Theatre in Philipsburg, strives to be the center of a filmmaking world that features local and international films, documentary and narrative films, fiction and nonfiction films — all while bringing together an array of audiences in person and online.

“We have something for everyone, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the power of filmmaking and storytelling,” said Pearl Gluck, the festival’s artistic director and co-founder, and associate professor of film production in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State. “Every night has something special. We have films that were produced right here in central Pennsylvania and films from all over the world. It’s an amazing event, made possible by so many people who are passionate about the impact films can make.

“We’re proud that the festival sparks meaningful conversations through art and connects filmmakers with our community.”

Films in the festival were selected from more than 600 submissions from across the world. The festival includes 30 Pennsylvania premieres, two U.S. premieres and a variety of theme nights.

In addition, the wide-ranging festival includes masterclasses with high school students about directing and set direction.

Ticket information and a full schedule of events may be found on the festival’s website.

Opening night and beyond

Opening night begins at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the State Theatre with “Marinette,” which traces the career of legendary French women’s soccer player Marinette Pichon. She overcame a childhood impacted by an alcoholic and violent father, as well as homophobia and a toxic climate for female athletes in France, and went on to set records for the French national team.

Pichon became the first French player to craft a career in the United States, playing professionally in Philadelphia and becoming a public advocate for equal rights.

The film was nominated for Best International Narrative Feature at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.

A planned post-screening discussion of “Marinette” will include Pichon as well as director Virginie Verrier and representatives from the nationally ranked Penn State women’s soccer team. In addition, donations will be accepted to support Centre Safe, which strives to empower survivors of stalking and relationship and sexual violence.

Along with “Marinette,” opening night includes a screening of “Dirt Circus,” a documentary short that follows as season of dirt track racing at Clinton County Speedway in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania.

An awards ceremony closes the festival Nov. 5. Awards from the festival will be handed out, as well as two major honors: the Chandler Living Legacy Award to actor Gary Farmer, who has been consistently recognized for breaking stereotypes and bringing authenticity to characters he portrays on screen, and the Lifetime Achievement Award to Penn State alumnus Gerry Abrams, who earned his bachelor’s degree in 1961 and became one of the most prolific producers and executives in Hollywood, with more than 70 films and TV specials to his credit.

The festival’s continued growth and impact during its first four years — adapting during the pandemic, offering multiple viewing options and connecting to numerous audiences at special events, including a summer screening at the annual Grange Fair and Encampment in Centre Hall — has heightened optimism for its fifth year.

“So many people have worked to make the festival a success,” Gluck said. “It’s community members, Penn State faculty, staff and students. It’s exciting to see what’s next.”

The festival is expected to be designated as a member of the influential iMDB next year.

Horror films, indigenous films and premieres

On Oct. 31, the festival appropriately plans a slate of horror films with “The Judgment” and “The Halt” screening at the State Theatre. Director Marwan Makbel, actor Junes Butakmani and cinematographer Leo Park Purman will be in attendance for a question-and-answer session focused on “The Judgment.”

Later that night, “Hayride to Hell” will screen at Carnegie Cinema on the University Park campus, along with a behind-the-scenes supporting films and a post-screening discussion with screenwriters Kristina Chadwick and Bob Lange.

Eight films selected for the festival serve as a celebration of Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month. The selections include documentaries and narratives, features, shorts and kid-friendly options.

Almost every day of the festival includes a film making its Pennsylvania premiere, and three films are making U.S. premieres — virtually — “Boylesque,” “Radio Propaganda” and “Stealing Kind.”

The variety of films display the festival’s diversity an something-for-everyone approach.

In addition, celebrations and collaborations tied to each specific night allow the festival to make deeper connections in the community. Every night offers some kind of filmmaker conversation and several nights include fundraisers and special events with specific film or music and social connections.

The combination of viewing options gives the festival variety. There’s history at the theaters that host in-person screenings — the Rowland Theatre, located at 127 N. Front St. in Philipsburg, was bult in 1917, and the State Theatre, located at 130 W. College Ave. in State College, opened in 1938 — and the “watch anytime” option offers 51 films that festival supporters could watch from anywhere they’d like.

A full schedule of screenings and special events, along with individual and all-session ticket information, may be found on the festival’s website.