Film Fest 919 formally announced its return for fifth year and unveiled its slate of films on Monday.

The film festival, which is based in Chapel Hill, will be held from Wednesday, October 19 through Sunday, October 23. After adjusting its screening of films for the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior editions, the 2022 Film Fest 919 marks a full return to indoor movie theaters. Festival organizers revealed the programming will once again be at Silverspot Cinema in University Place, but will add screenings at The Lumina Theater in Southern Village too.

“We are so proud of the program we’ve put together for our 5th year,” festival founders Randi Emerman and Carol Marshall said in a release. “We have films from all around the world representing 13 countries; some tremendous thought-provoking documentaries, official Academy submissions for Best International Film and many unique and memorable stories that will touch the heart and soul. We look forward to celebrating the theatrical experience together!”

As typical for Film Fest 919, the 2022 slate features several films expected to be up for major awards later in the year. While more additions could be made ahead of the festival, projected contenders like the film adaptations of popular books “Women Talking,” “White Noise” and “She Said” are among those slated to be screened. The latest projects from acclaimed directors Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) and Sam Mendes (“Empire of Light”) are also included in the lineup, which has yet to share an official schedule.

Film Fest 919 did, however, unveil its opening and closing movies for the festival. The Opening Night screening on October 19 will be of the Korean War drama “Devotion,” which follows the story of the U.S. Navy’s first Black aviator played by Jonathan Majors. The film’s screening coincides with Film Fest 919 presenting its new Horizon Award to director JD Dillard, will will participate in a moderated conversation with organizers as part of the opening festivities.

“The Horizon Award is presented to an outstanding filmmaker whose work not only demonstrates excellence in their craft, but perhaps more importantly, signals a stunning breakthrough in their own artistry and body of work,” Emerman and Marshall said. “This award recognizes Mr. Dillard’s incredible filmmaking achievement.”

The festival will close this year with a movie largely planned to be released for streaming: “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.” The sequel to 2018’s “Knives Out” is being distributed by Netflix instead of Lionsgate — although writer and director Rian Johnson and actor Daniel Craig both returned to create another whodunnit comedic romp.

Individual tickets for the 2022 Film Fest 919 will go on sale Tuesday, October 11 on the festival’s official website.

 

Photo via Film Fest 919.


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