Film festivals and events.
 

Although it is always entertaining to watch films from the first half of the 20th Century on DVD in the comfort of our own home, to fully appreciate what it was like to see these films when they were originally released we need to see them with an audience on a real theater's big screen. Throughout the year, there are a number of film festivals, theaters and groups, that show these early films from the "Golden Age" of the motion picture industry, and we've listed a number of them below.

If you know of an annual festival, a theater or a group, in the United States that focuses on showing commercial films made before 1960, or on any other aspect of the motion picture industry's early history, please send us an email and we will list them here.

  


CALIFORNIA

THE AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE'S ANNUAL "FILM NOIR" FESTIVAL ( Hollywood, CA )
[APRIL] ( http://www.egyptiantheatre.com/sched.htm )
This annual festival of classic "Film Noir" movies is held in April. Screenings are held at the historic Grauman's Egyptian Theatre. This event, and many other classic movie events held at the Egyptian Theatre, can be found at the website listed above.

THE AMERICAN THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY'S WURLITZER WEEKEND (Los Angeles, CA)
[JANUARY] ( http://www.latos.org/SilentMoviesLA/ )
Hosted by the Los Angeles Chapter of the ATOS over the Martin Luther King weekend in January, this annual event includes the presentation of a silent movie in the historic Orpheum Theatre located at 842 Broadway. The movies are projected using state–of–the–art projectors and quality 35mm prints, and are accompanied by the theater's Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. In 2005 a second screening was presented over the 4th of July weekend. For more information call: (888) 528–6722.

THE BILLY WILDER THEATER ( Westwood, CA )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/screenings/theater.html )
Located at UCLA's Hammer Museum, this state–of–the–art theater is the home for the UCLA Film & Television Archive's exhibitions and public programs. Screenings of preserved films are complemented by talks, multimedia lectures, panel discussions and other forums dedicated to the art, culture and history of the moving image.

CINECON CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL & MEMORABILIA SHOW ( Hollywood, CA )
[SEPTEMBER] ( http://www.cinecon.org/ )
This is said to be the oldest and the grandest of the movie related fan festivals. Sponsored by The Society for Cinephiles, this annual classic film festival has been held for over 40 years. Spread over five days in September during the Labor Day Weekend, the festival includes the presentation of classic films at the Lloyd E. Rigler Theater in the restored Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, sales of movie memorabilia, and a poster auction.

THE LONE PINE FILM FESTIVAL ( Lone Pine, CA )
[OCTOBER] ( http://www.lonepinechamber.org/events/events.html )
Held in October, in conjunction with The Beverly & Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History, this festival celebrates the rich film history of Lone Pine and Inyo County. Along with the screening of vintage movies filmed in and around Lone Pine, the festival features guest stars, tours, and musical entertainment.

THE MID–WINTER COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL ( Fremont, CA )
[FEBRUARY] ( http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/mid-winter_08_sked.htm )
Held in February at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, this three–day festival features comedies from the silent and early sound era with live piano accompaniment.

THE NILES ESSANAY SILENT FILM MUSEUM ( Fremont, CA )
[JUNE] ( http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/festival2007.html )
In addition to the festival listed above, this museum screens silent movies on weekends and holds other film festivals during the year. Two of these annual festivals, "Charlie Chaplin Days" and "The Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival", are held during June. The museum is located in the old Edison Theater in Niles, a district of Fremont that was home to the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company during the silent–film era.

THE NOIR CITY FILM FESTIVAL ( San Francisco, CA )
[JANUARY] ( http://www.noircity.com/noircity.html )
Now under the auspices of the non–profit Film Noir Foundation, this annual event takes place at the Balboa Theater in January. Launched in 2003, classic Films Noir are shown in double bills over a two–week period. There are plans to make the Noir City Film Festival a roadshow attraction, packaging and promoting the annual series in cities around America and the world. Ticket reservations are encouraged.

THE OLD TOWN MUSIC HALL ( El Segundo, CA )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://otmh.org/ )
Both silent and early sound films are regularly shown on weekends throughout the year in the 188 seat El Segundo State Theater, an authentic 1920s movie house. Musical accompaniment is provided using The Mighty Wurlitzer organ when silent movies are shown.

THE PALM SPRINGS "FILM NOIR" FESTIVAL ( Palm Springs, CA )
[JUNE] ( http://www.palmspringsfilmnoir.com/ )
Held in June, this annual event pays tribute to "Film Noir" with screenings, at The Camelot Theatre, of vintage and sometimes rare films of that genre.

THE SAN FRANCISCO SILENT FILM FESTIVAL ( San Francisco, CA )
[JULY] ( www.silentfilm.org/home.htm )
This annual event, held for 3 days in July, presents preserved and restored silent films accompanied by live music at the Castro Theatre, a silent era movie palace. Between films there are educational slideshows, author appearances and an impressive array of books and information on silent film in the lobby.

THE SHASTA COUNTY SILENT FILM FEST ( Redding, CA )
[OCTOBER] ( http://www.shastaartscouncil.org/silent.html )
Sponsored by the Shasta Arts Council, this 2–day festival is held at the end of October in the 100–year–old Old City Hall Arts Center.
The event presents feature–length movies and documentaries from the silent–film era, with musical accompaniment by Dr. Frederick Hodges and educational lectures by David Shepard. Phone: (530) 241–7320

THE SILENT MOVIE THEATRE ( Los Angeles, CA )
[THOUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.silentmovietheatre.com/ )
The Silent Movie Theatre is an art deco movie house that was originally built in 1942. It has been fully restored and now screens silent films throughout the year. Upstairs from the theatre is a full–service coffee bar and a photo gallery featuring vintage photos of silent movie stars.

SILENTS UNDER THE STARS ( Agoura, CA )
[JULY–AUGUST] (http://www.hollywoodheritage.org/silents/silents.html )
The Silent Society of Hollywood Heritage, in association with the National Parks Service, screens vintage silent movies at the Paramount Movie Ranch occasionally during the summer. All films feature live musical accompaniment in an outdoor setting. Check their website for the specific nights on which films will be shown.

THE STANFORD THEATRE ( Palo Alto, CA )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( www.stanfordtheatre.org )
This historic movie theater, which first opened in 1925, shows vintage Hollywood films throughout the year. For more information visit their website, or call: (650) 324-3700.



CONNECTICUT

GREENWICH CLASSIC FILM SERIES ( Greenwich, CT )
[OCTOBER–DECEMBER] ( http://members.aol.com/gcfs10am )
This annual event is held at the Bow Tie Movie Theatre in Greenwich, CT, during the last three months of the year. Films from the 1930's to the 1970's are featured. For more information visit their website, or call: (914) 725-0999.



DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

FILMS ON THE HILL ( Washington, DC )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.filmsonthehill.com/index.html )
A project of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, "Films on the Hill" screens approximately three vintage films a month using 16mm prints. Claiming to be the only venue in the Washington, DC, area devoted to showing movies made from the 1910s to the 1950s, this not–for–profit organization has been presenting film programs since 1999. Silent films are accompanied by either live or recorded music.



GEORGIA

THE LAUREL AND HARDY MUSEUM ( Harlem, GA )
( http://www.laurelandhardymuseum.org/ )
This museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the legendary Hollywood comedy team. Located on Main Street in the town where Hardy was born, the museum's collection contains memorabilia, photos, correspondence, toys, books, period collectibles, artifacts from Laurel & Hardy's movies, statues, buttons, and more. The museum also sponsors the annual Oliver Hardy Festival.

THE OLIVER HARDY FESTIVAL ( Harlem, GA )
[OCTOBER] ( http://www.harlemga.org/ohfest.htm )
This annual festival is put on by The Laurel & Hardy Museum the first Saturday in October. The festival features parades, live entertainment, a Laurel & Hardy look–alike contest, movies, skits, and the participation of the Laurel & Hardy International Appreciation Society. Harlem, GA, the birthplace of Oliver Hardy, is located just west of Augusta, GA.

ROBERT OSBORNE'S CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL (Athens, GA)
[APRIL] ( http://www.grady.uga.edu/osbornefest/2008.default.php )
This annual non–profit event is sponsored by the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Hosted by Robert Osborne, the host for Turner Classic Movies and columnist for The Hollywood Reporter, this festival features movies from Hollywood's "Golden Age" and panel discussions with actors and movie industry insiders.



ILLINOIS

THE SILENT FILM SOCIETY OF CHICAGO ( Chicago, IL )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( www.silentfilmchicago.com )
The Silent Film Society of Chicago is dedicated to preserving our silent film heritage by sponsoring silent movie screenings and educational programs throughout the year. The Society's events take place at the renovated Portage Theater in Chicago, the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL., and the Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, IL.



KANSAS

THE ANNUAL BUSTER KEATON CELEBRATION ( Iola, KS )
[SEPTEMBER] ( http://www.busterkeatoncelebration.org/ )
Funded in part by the Kansas Humanities Council, this free event is held each year in September. Featuring live musical accompaniment by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, this two day event presents a number of films from the era of Buster Keaton and silent–film comedy. There are also related lectures and other activities, all of which are free to the public.

KANSAS SILENT FILM FESTIVAL ( Topeka, KS )
[FEBRUARY] ( http://www.kssilentfilmfest.org/kssff2008/promo.html )
This annual 2-day event is held in February on the campus of Washburn University. In the past the silent films were accompanied by music supplied by Dr. Marvin Faulwell, and the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.



MARYLAND

THE AFI SILVER THEATRE AND CULTURAL CENTER ( Silver Spring, MD )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.afi.com/silver/new/default.aspx )
The American Film Institute's AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center regularly presents many classic films throughout the year on the three screens of its state-of-the-art moving image exhibition, education and cultural center.



MICHIGAN

THE DAMFINO CONVENTION ( Muskegon, MI )
[OCTOBER] ( http://www.busterkeaton.com/ )
The annual convention of The Damfinos (The International Buster Keaton Society) features the screening of vintage Buster Keaton films and presentations by Keaton scholars. Related merchandise and memorabilia is offered for sale, and a tour of "The Bluffton Actor's Colony" founded by Buster Keaton's father is available. The Damfinos was founded in 1992 and is dedicated to fostering & perpetuating appreciation & understanding of the life, career, and films of Buster Keaton.

THE SOUND OF SILENTS FILM FESTIVAL ( Three Oaks, MI )
[AUGUST] ( http://www.vickerstheatre.com/THEATRE%20WEB%20R_files/page0005.htm )
Held in the Vickers Theatre, a restored turn–of–the–century movie house, this five–day festival presents movies from Hollywood's silent–film era. Held in August every year, each movie is accompanied by original live music.



NEW YORK

THE BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC (BAM) ( Brooklyn, NY)
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.bam.org/events/bamcinematek.aspx )
The BAMcinématek @ BAM Rose Cinemas presents classic films, retrospectives, festivals, premieres, and rare screenings, with guest appearances by directors, actors, and screenwriters.

CAPITOLFEST ( Rome, NY )
[AUGUST] ( http://www.romecapitol.com/Capitolfest.html )
Presented by the Rome Grand Theatre Organ Society, this 3–day film festival is held annually during a long weekend in August. The festival features restored 35mm prints of silent and early sound films that are shown in the historic Capitol Theatre using variable–speed carbon arc projectors. The silent films are accompanied on an original 1928 Moller theatre pipe organ.

CINEFEST ( Syracuse, NY )
[MARCH] ( http://www.picking.com/cinefest2008.html )
Held annually in March, this 4-day event presents screenings of films made during the first half of the 20th Century. Dealers are available from whom attendees can purchase classic film memorabilia.

FILM FORUM ( New York, NY )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.filmforum.org/ )
New York's leading movie house for independent premieres also presents foreign & American classic films, genre works, festivals, and director's retrospectives throughout the year.

THE FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER ( New York, NY )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/wrt.html )
Film programs featuring restored vintage films from the silent–film era through Hollywood's Golden Age are screened throughout the year at the Walter Reade Theater.

GEORGE EASTMAN HOUSE INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM
( Rochester, NY )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.eastmanhouse.org/ )
The motion picture department offers regular screenings of contemporary and classic films throughout the year in the Dryden Theatre, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 PM.

THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (MoMA) ( New York, NY )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.moma.org/calendar/film_screenings.php )
MoMA shows a number of vintage films during the year, including those from the silent–film era and Hollywood's "Golden Age". During the first half of June, the museum holds its "MoMA International Festival of Film Preservation". This festival features the New York premieres of gorgeously preserved movie masterworks and rediscoveries from the silent–film era onward.

MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE ( Astoria, NY )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR]
( http://www.movingimage.us/site/site.php )
Located across the East River from midtown Manhattan, this museum is dedicated to advancing public understanding & appreciation of the art, history, technique & technology of film, television, and digital media. As part of their mission they screen significant vintage films and other moving–image works on weekends throughout the year, and offer educational & interpretive programs to students, teachers, and the general public.

ORPHAN FILM SYMPOSIUM ( New York, NY )
[MARCH – EVERY OTHER YEAR] ( http://www.nyu.edu/orphanfilm/ )
Hosted by New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Department of Cinema Studies every other year in March, this biennial symposium brings together an eclectic mix of moving image archivists, cinema scholars, preservation experts, curators, and filmmakers who work with orphan film material (a motion picture that has been abandoned by its owner or caretaker). Restored versions of non–fiction films from the earliest days of the motion picture through the 1940s are shown as part of the program. The next symposium will take place in 2008.

THE SILENT CLOWNS FILM SERIES ( New York, NY )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.silentclowns.com/nowshowing.html )
New York 's longest-running, regularly-scheduled showcase for classic silent film comedy, the Silent Clowns Film Series holds its shows throughout the year in the historic "Little Theater" at the West Side YMCA (near Lincoln Center ). Live piano accompaniment is provided by Ben Model. For more information, call: (212) 712–7237



NORTH CAROLINA

THE AVA GARDNER MUSEUM ( Smithfield, NC )
( http://www.avagardner.org )
This museum has been established in Ava Gardner's hometown to permanently display an extensive collection of artifacts from her movie career and personal life. Films in which Ava Gardner stars are shown from time to time, and arangements are made periodically for special exhibits of related items from other collections.
                                                                                     Click Here for Museum News >>

WESTERN FILM FAIR ( Charlotte, NC )
[JULY] ( http://www.go.to/westernfilmfair )
Sponsored by The Western Film Preservation Society, Inc., this annual 4-day event is held in July. In addition to screening 16mm prints of vintage western films, western film memorabilia is available from dealers.



OHIO

THE CAPA SUMMER MOVIE SERIES ( Columbus, OH )
[JULY & AUGUST] ( http://www.capa.com/columbus/events/ )
Presented during July and August by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), this film series features movies released from the silent–film era through the 1970s. Silent films are accompanied by live music on the Mighty Morton Theatre Organ. Films are screened in the Ohio Theatre, a restored 1928 movie house, that has been declared The Official Theatre for the State of Ohio.

CINESATION (Massillon, OH)
[SEPTEMBER] ( http://www.cinephiles.org/
)
Sponsored by The Great Lakes Cinephile Society, Inc., in Frankenmuth, Michigan, this annual event is held over a long weekend at the end of September. Along with screenings of restored feature films, documentaries, and short subjects from both the silent–film era and Hollywood's "Golden Age", the society also sells videos of silent movies to fund film restoration. The 2006 event will be held in the Lions Lincoln Theater located in Massillon.

CINEVENT ( Columbus, OH )
[MAY] ( http://www.cinevent.com/ )
This is the Midwest 's largest and oldest classic film festival. Held during 4 days at the end of May, this is an annual gathering of fans of silent and early sound films, and of collectors of motion pictures and related items. There are screenings of many films made before 1950, and a great deal of classic film memorabilia is available for purchase.

THE CLARK GABLE MUSEUM ( Cadiz, OH )
( http://www.clarkgablefoundation.com/ )
Located in the meticulously
reconstructed home in which "The King of Hollywood" was born, this museum pays tribute to Clark Gable's humble beginnings. Althought the original building was torn down in the 1960s, researchers found and used the original architectural drawings for the building's reconstruction. The second floor apartment where Gable was born is furnished with period items including some of his belongings.

THE ROY ROGERS FESTIVAL (Portsmouth, OH )
[JUNE] ( http://www.royrogersfestival.org/ )
Sponsored by the" Roy Rogers – Dale Evans Collectors Association", this annual festival is held the first weekend in June. Screening western films starring Roy, Dale, and other cowboy stars from Hollywood's "Golden Age", this festival also features live entertainment and vendors selling western memorabilia.



OKLAHOMA

THE GENE AUTRY OKLAHOMA FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL ( Gene Autry, OK )
[SEPTEMBER] ( http://www.geneautryokmuseum.com/ )
Held for five days at the end of September, this annual event is sponsored by the Gene Autry Museum which is located about 2 hours from Oklahoma City. the festival features vintage cowboy movies, live music, celebrity panels, memorabilia vendors, and more. The American Bus Association ranks this as one of the "Top 100 Events in North America".



PENNSYLVANIA

THE JIMMY STEWART MUSEUM ( Indiana, PA )
[Throughout the Year]
( http://www.jimmy.org/ )
Located in Jimmy Stewart's hometown, this museum screens movies starring Jimmy Stewart every Saturday & Sunday in a 1930s–style movie theatre that features a state–of–the–art sound and projection system. Located on the 3rd floor of the Indiana Free Library building, the museum highlights Stewart's life and accomplishments in and out of show business through displays of posters, photos, awards, memorabilia, film clips and more.



TENNESSEE

THE MEMPHIS FILM FESTIVAL ( Memphis, TN )
[JUNE] ( http://www.memphisfilmfestival.com/index.htm )
This annual vintage film and TV festival is held for three days in June. Continuous screenings of over 100 vintage feature films, and some vintage serials, are included in the daily events. Dealers are also available for those wishing to purchase vintage film and TV memorabilia.



VIRGINIA

THE NATIONAL AUDIO–VISUAL CONSERVATION CENTER (NAVCC) ( Culpeper, VA )
( http://www.loc.gov/avconservation/packard/ )
Located on 45 acres of land 70 miles from Washington, DC, The Library of Congress Parckard Campus for Audio–Visual Conservation is the new home of the NAVCC. The main building features a 200 seat art deco theater capable of showing everything from nitrate to modern digital
films preserved on a wide range of film and video formats. When the theater opens in 2008 it will host special presentations of vintage film and television programs for the general public, perhaps on a regular basis. This theater features a custom–made organ that rises from under the stage to accompany silent film screenings.
                                                      Click here to read our article about the NAVCC >>

SLAPSTICON ( Arlington, VA )
[JULY] ( http://www.slapsticon.org/ )
Held in July, this annual four–day event features screenings of rarely seen comedies from the silent and early sound eras. Musical accompaniment is provided by various musicians, and panel discussions are held by silent comedy historians. This event is held at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre, located in the Rosslyn area of Arlington, VA.

THE WILLIAMSBURG FILM FESTIVAL ( Williamsburg, VA )
[MARCH] ( http://wff5.tripod.com/id24.html )
"Honoring the Golden Age of Hollywood ", this annual event is held in March. Presented by the Williamsburg Classic Film Guild, Inc., vintage movies are screened using 16mm prints. Movie and TV stars are available for autograph and photo sessions, and movie memorabilia is available from dealers.



WASHINGTON

NOIR CITY – THE SEATTLE FILM NOIR FESTIVAL ( Seattle, WA )
[JULY] ( http://www.seattlefilm.org/events/detail.aspx?FID=55 )
Sponsored by California's Film Noir Foundation, the Seattle International Film Festival Group's Summer Program now includes seven days of classic Films Noir during July. Eddie Muller, the legendary "Czar of Noir", will provide an introduction for some of the movies.



WISCONSIN

DUCK SOUP CINEMA ( Madison, WI )
[THROUGHOUT THE YEAR] ( http://www.cityofmadison.com/Overture/ducksoup.htm )
This silent film series, presented by the Overture Center For The Arts, takes place on various Saturdays throughout the year. A classic silent movie, accompanied by live music, is preceded by vaudeville style entertainment on the stage of the newly remodeled Capitol Theater.

 

 

 

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