Tucson will once again be transformed into a cinematic hub for filmmakers, cinephiles and artists alike as the 33rd annual Arizona International Film Festival rolls into town from April 3-13. This year’s festival promises to be a dynamic and diverse gathering of global cinema, with a lineup featuring 107 films from 21 countries.
Every year, the Arizona International Film Festival brings together the voices of filmmakers from around the world — and this year the selection is as vibrant as ever.
The festival spans a wide variety of genres, showcasing narratives, documentaries, shorts, animations and experimental films. From a first-time filmmaker to seasoned industry veterans, the 33rd edition of the festival provides a platform for diverse voices, perspectives and stories.
"This festival is a unique celebration of global culture and storytelling," said festival organizer Mia Schnaible. "We are proud to feature films from 21 different countries, each one providing a unique lens into the world around us. The films selected for this year’s festival explore the full spectrum of the human experience — from intimate personal narratives to grand political statements."
This year’s featured films will be shown at several local screening locations, including The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St.; Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.; MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento; Main Gate Square, 814 E. University Blvd.; and The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway. The festival will also highlight the filmmakers and crews with follow-up Q&As after most films.
“We are the oldest and longest running film festival in the state and we're super excited about our festival this year,” Schnaible said. “We have filmmakers flying in from all over the world to talk about their films. Starting with our opening nights, ‘Where There is Love, There is No Darkness’ from France will play at The Screening Room and the filmmaker is going to fly in from France to talk with the audience after the film.”
Another highlight from this year’s festival will include a special screening of “Long Shadows” at Fox Tucson Theatre on April 6 at 2 p.m., a period western filmed entirely at Old Tucson Studios directed by William Shockley and starring Dermot Mulroney (“My Best Friend's Wedding” 1997), Jacqueline Bisset (“Murder on the Orient Express” 1974) and Dominic Monaghan (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy).
“We're super excited about ‘Long Shadows,’ not only was it filmed here at Old Tucson Studios but a lot of local people also worked on that film from the costume designer to the hair stylist, which is great to see,” Schnaible said. “It is also amazing when star actors film and act in a place that holds memories in all our hearts.”
The films being shown span multiple genres, ensuring there's something for everyone. From dramatic narratives that explore the human condition to thought-provoking documentaries about pressing global issues, there’s no shortage of incredible stories to discover, Schnaible added.
Some of the other standout films include “The Eating of an Orange,” a short film directed by May Kindred-Boothby about “unconventional rituals and explorations of sexuality” involving “slugs and the symbolic consumption of an orange” that premiered at Sundance Film Festival.
The film “Village Keeper” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film “Village Keeper” will also be a highlight of the festival, Schnaible added. Directed by Karen Chapman, this film explores the life of a grieving widow, paralyzed by anxiety, who struggles to protect her kids in a city gripped by violence and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“A film like ‘Village Keeper,’ which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, one of the top five film festivals in the world, is so amazing to get for our local audience,” Schnaible said. “The film will only be shown two or three times in the United States before our screening. So for us to get this film and the filmmaker flying out, is huge.”
Schnaible is also excited for Tucsonans to see the films from their Indie Youth program which highlights filmmakers who are 18 and under. This year’s program will feature 13 films from around the world each with different themes and styles. The program is free to attend at The Screening Room, Schnaible added.
Another added bonus of this year’s festival will include online discussions with filmmakers and crews hosted through Zoom, which are free to join. These discussions allow anyone to join from across the world and take part in the festivities of the festival, Schnaible added. Information on these discussions can be found on the festival’s website.
All Access Passes to the festival are $100, Saver Passes include five admissions for $30 and Single Admission tickets will be $10 and can be purchased through the festival website. For a full lineup of the films featured and tickets, visit the Arizona International Film Festival website.
Beyond just providing entertainment, the Arizona International Film Festival plays an important role in highlighting issues that matter to Tucson's residents. It brings together filmmakers and audiences to engage in important conversations about everything from human rights to environmental sustainability.
“The festival has always been about more than just films,” Schnaible said. “It’s about fostering cross-cultural dialogue and using film as a tool for understanding and empathy. With 107 films from 21 countries, this year we are seeing more than ever how film can build bridges between cultures.”
