West Orange Classic Film Fest Will Return For 2026

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the West Orange Arts Council. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The West Orange Classic Film Festival is back for its 20th season, with an entertaining lineup of vintage cinematic gems, Sundays at 2 pm from January 25 through March 15, 2026, at the AMC DINE-IN Theater in the Essex Green Town Center at 495 Prospect Ave, West Orange, New Jersey. The curated lineup of classic films paired with expert introductions and engaging post-screening discussions is a co-production of the West Orange Arts Council and the West Orange Recreation Department with sponsorship from the New Jersey Film and Television Commission.

Each screening features an introduction and a lively Q&A session with distinguished guest speakers — including actors, filmmakers, authors, film historians, and educators — offering audiences rare insight into the art, history and cultural context of each film. “This unique festival celebrates West Orange's rich cinematic history, rooted in Thomas Edison’s pioneering contributions to motion picture technology and the iconic Black Maria studio, and offers a rich cinematic heritage for film lovers to celebrate," says Ken Mandel, the Festival’s founder emeritus.

Rather than centering on a single theme, the 2026 Festival celebrates iconic voices in the world of film, including recently lost legends Robert Redford and Diane Keaton; as well as filmmaker John Sayles, whose work reflects deep ties to New Jersey and New York. “One could say there could be socio-political nuances running through this year’s films,” says Festival volunteer, emcee, and guest-speaker Paul Castiglia. “Upon reflection, each of the films features some ‘bigger picture’ issues happening in the background – be it class divides, political intrigue, or the turmoil of war.”

The films span romantic class and cultural clashes in ANNIE HALL and IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT; wartime realities set against the imaginative worlds of THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH and CINEMA PARADISO; the stark realities of racial inequality in THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET; and the institutional paranoia explored in THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR.

As Castiglia points out, “These are wildly entertaining films that not only have something to say, but offer great moments of uplift, too.”

The festival closes with a screening called POLITICS SCHMOLITICS on March 15, featuring what Castiglia calls, “A selection of classic comedy shorts, trailers, and cartoons that satirize elections, political scandals, espionage, and war.” With Laurel & Hardy, Betty Boop, The Little Rascals, Daffy Duck, The Three Stooges, and other surprises, the offerings present a cracked mirror reflection of our world that will make viewers think as they laugh.

Esteemed speakers this year include an array of film historians and educators, among them Festival founding member Joyce Weisinger Kaffel; Stuart Weinstock, director of the New Jersey Jewish Film Festival; and festival favorite and foreign film expert, Gerard Amsellem. They are joined by avid movie aficionado John Chasse, and Paul Castiglia, whose writing work includes both pop culture history nonfiction and scripts for comic books and animated cartoons.

The Festival’s guest speaker of honor this year is actor Alvin Alexis, who will introduce and discuss THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET on February 1. A versatile performer who started his film career in THE WIZ, Sayles’ THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET marked his third feature film. Appearing on both the big and small screens as well as on stage, Alexis looks forward to inspiring and encouraging aspiring actors and filmmakers by sharing his story.

For film enthusiasts, this is a rare opportunity to view classics as they were meant to be seen, on the big screen! At $13 per movie, audiences can enjoy an afternoon’s entertainment combined with a fun film class for the price of a single movie ticket! Advance purchase is required via Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-2026-west-orange-classic-film-festival-4804668 or https://bit.ly/4pxEmC1

JANUARY 25: CINEMA PARADISO (1988) with film historian, filmmaker, artist, and educator Gerard Amsellem. Perhaps one of the most beloved foreign language films of all time, Giuseppe Tornatore’s masterpiece is a love letter to cinema that won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

FEBRUARY 1: THE BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET (1984) with actor Alvin Alexis. An alien escapes captivity on his home planet and lands in New York City, where he navigates life on the streets of 1980s Harlem. Director John Sayles blends science fiction, comedy, and social commentary, creating a powerful and humane story filled with unforgettable characters.

(no film on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 8)

FEBRUARY 15: ANNIE HALL (1977) with media scholar and film and arts writer, and lecturer, Joyce Weisinger Kaffel. Winner of multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress, this classic romantic comedy explores the foibles of modern relationships with wit, warmth, and insight, featuring an iconic performance by Diane Keaton.

FEBRUARY 22: THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH (1994) with author and Irish studies educator Alan DeLozier. John Sayles returns with this charming fable that leans into Irish myths and legends as a girl discovers the magic and resilience behind her heritage.

MARCH 1: THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (1975) with film historian, educator, and director Stuart Weinstock. Sydney Pollack’s spy story starring the legendary Robert Redford was designed first and foremost as an action-packed entertainment that also happens to be one of the top political conspiracy thrillers of its decade.

MARCH 8: IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934) with film aficionado John Chasse. The highly quotable film inspired lots of laughs and a famous cartoon “Bunny.” See superstar Clark Gable break down Claudette Colbert’s defenses, along with class barriers and bedsheets, in the beloved screwball rom-com classic that was the first film to win the "Big Five" Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay).

MARCH 15: POLITICS SCHMOLITICS (1930s/40s) with film historian, author, and comics/animation writer Paul Castiglia. Classic comedy shorts, trailers, and cartoons lampoon the electoral process, political scandals, espionage, and war. With Laurel & Hardy, Betty Boop, The Little Rascals, Daffy Duck, The Three Stooges, and more satirical surprises!

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