The Festival kicks off with the Sundance Hit “CODA” on Thursday, August 12th
The Phoenix Film Festival kicked off its opening night with the Apple Original Films’ “CODA” at Harkins Scottsdale 101. The film was the first in Sundance Film Festival history to win all top prizes in the US Dramatic Competition category.
As part of the opening night festivities, a pre-recorded interview with actor Troy Kotsur, from Mesa, AZ, was shown to attendees.
“CODA” stars Emilia Jones (“Locke & Key,”) a seventeen-year-old who is the sole hearing member of a deaf family – a CODA, child of deaf adults. But when she joins her high school’s choir club, she discovers a gift for singing and finds herself torn between the obligations she feels to her family and the pursuit of her own dreams.
The 2021 Festival started on Thursday, August 12th, and will continue to Sunday, August 22nd. This 11-day festival will feature films from all over the world, as well as local Arizona films. Along with screenings at the Harkins Scottsdale 101, there will be events and activities for all kinds of movie buffs.
Saturday, August 14th and 21st, the festival will host a Kids Day. This family-friendly event is a great way for kids of all ages to come out and experience the festival, participate in activities, and watch a movie, for just $5. Screenings include Paddington 2 and Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, with activities hosted by Bookman’s Exchange before each film.
For something a bit more adult-sized, Phoenix Film Festival will be hosting themed events at Cien Agave in North Scottsdale. These events include an 80’s Night on August 14th, a Luau on August 20th, and a Film Prom on August 21st. For the full schedule of events click here.
If late-night gatherings are not your thing, then the festival also hosts several Q&As with filmmakers and an Industry Night, Friday, August 13th. These are all a great way to connect with the filmmakers and understand the process behind their works.
Some other noteworthy films to check out are “A Sexplanation,” “Cocoon,” “Jump, Darling,” and an Arizona local film, “Moving Ashley.” Along with features, the fest will include short films in each category such as horror, sci-fi, animated, drama, and comedy.
Closing Night will include a screening of Amazon Studios “Everybody is Talking About Jamie,” an adaption of the award-winning hit musical from London’s West End. Inspired by true events this film is about a teenager in a blue-collar English town with a dream of life on stage.
The 21st Annual Phoenix Film Festival will run from Thursday, August 12 to Sunday, August 22 at Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre. The festival will continue to follow thorough safety protocols put in place by Harkins Theatres, which can be found, in its entirety by visiting the Harkins Theatres website at https://www.harkins.com/welcome-back.
To purchase tickets to this film or any others you can visit the Phoenix Film Festival’s website.
Laurel Way is a writer for film, television, websites, and blogs. She is based in Phoenix, Arizona in the U.S., and has two fat cats and a loving husband. Laurel is a geek to her core and loves all things within horror, sci-fi/fantasy, and more. When she is not writing films, she is watching them, and her go-to movie snack is popcorn and Milkduds.
