Bryn Mawr Film Institute Opens Friday With Oscar-Nominated Films

BRYN MAWR, PA — The movie theater at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute is opening back up this week with four Academy Award-nominated movies.

After one year of presenting exclusively virtual programming, the doors to the historic theater at 824 W. Lancaster Ave. in Bryn Mawr will open to the public on Friday.

New to the film institute are advance, online, reserved-seating ticketing (no tickets will be sold at the box office); pre-ordered, no-contact concessions; new safety measures; and limited audience capacity to 25 percent in compliance with state and local guidelines.

Staff and patrons are required to wear masks properly, over the nose and mouth, while inside BMFI, unless a patron is enjoying concessions while seated in the theater.

Patrons can take a virtual tour of Bryn Mawr Film Institute to learn about all the new features available at the theater.

BMFI will open with four Oscar contenders shining brightly on the big screen just in time for awards night. "Judas and the Black Messiah," "Minari," "Nomadland," and "The Father" will show once per day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with limited tickets available. Showtimes for each film vary by day.

See showtime details here.

The theater is also available for private rentals.

Patrons can bring up to 15 people in their "bubble" to watch their favorite movie on a variety of viewing platforms. Private Theater Rentals start at $250 and include $100 of concessions at no additional charge.

Prices vary depending on the day of the week, time of day, and length of film.

Below are details on the films coming to the theater:

"Judas and the Black Messiah"

Tasked to spy on Chicago Black Panther party leader Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya), a petty criminal-turned-F.B.I. informant (LaKeith Stanfield) finds his loyalties—and moral compass—increasingly confused.

Academy Award nominations:

• Motion Picture
• Supporting Actor – Daniel Kaluuya
• Supporting Actor – LaKeith Stanfield
• Original Screenplay
• Cinematography
• Original Song

"Minari"

As Korean immigrants Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica (Yeri Han) try to claim their own piece of the American dream in rural Arkansas, their home life is upended by the arrival of Monica's mischievous, foul-mouthed mother (Youn Yuh-jung).

Academy Award nominations:

• Motion Picture
• Director – Isaac Lee Chung
• Actor – Steven Yuen
• Supporting Actress – Youn Yuh-jung
• Original Screenplay
• Original Score

"Nomadland"

Left widowed and houseless after the closure of the local factory, Fern (Frances McDormand) packs her van and sets out on a journey through the west in search of work, community, and survival.

Academy Award nominations:

• Motion Picture
• Director – Chloé Zhao
• Actress – Frances McDormand
• Adapted Screenplay
• Cinematography
• Film Editing

"The Father"

As the onset of dementia unravels his sense of reality, a stubbornly independent octogenarian (Anthony Hopkins) struggles to maintain his connection with his devoted daughter (Olivia Colman).

Academy Award nominations:

• Motion Picture
• Actor – Anthony Hopkins
• Supporting Actress – Olivia Colman
• Adapted Screenplay
• Film Editing
• Production Design