Film festival season is far from over—especially in New Jersey. Last month, organizers of the state’s beloved Montclair Film Festival announced this year’s tentative schedule to celebrate its 15th anniversary.
Now, the full screening, panel, and other supporting events have been rolled out. Between October 16 and 25, cinema lovers will gather around the city to take in all of what the 2026 Montclair Film Festival has to offer. Presented by Volvo Car USA, the festival is filled to the brim with several independent films.
The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd, The Beloved, and The Debut are among this year’s independent offerings.
Produced by MRC & T-Street and distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York follows Harry Lehman (John Turturro) is an aging pickpocket who plies his trade with ever-diminishing returns in a drastically changed New York. The picture stars John Turturro, Giancarlo Esposito, Will Price, Tatiana Maslany, and Steve Buscemi. Screenings of The Only Living Pickpocket in New York will take place on October 21 beginning at 7:30 p.m. and October 25 beginning at 7 p.m. at The Bellevue. Following the October 21 screening, John Turturro will join the audience for a Q&A (question and answer).
Tim Blake Nelson’s drama thriller The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd has been the talk of festival season. On October 19, the feature will make its appearance at the 2026 Montclair Film Festival for one screening only at The Bellevue starting at 7:30 p.m.
Starring Amanda Seyfried, Scoot McNairy, Wunmi Mosaku, Devyn Tyler, Missi Pyle, Grant Harvey, William Jackson Harper, and Elizabeth Marvel, The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd, is based on true events. Simply put the film follows a teacher (Seyfried) in an abusive marriage takes a job at a maximum security prison, where she falls for a charismatic inmate.
Following the screening of The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd, Tim Blake Nelson will remain onsite for a Q&A. The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd is produced by QWGmire, Co Created Media, V42, and Red Barn Films.
Acclaimed director Rodrigo Sorogoyen will bring his latest buzzing project to the Montclair Film Festival. On October 21 (beginning at 6:45 p.m.) and October 24 (beginning at 6 p.m.), The Beloved will show inside both The Bellevue & The Clairidge.
Starring Oscar winner Javier Bardem, Victoria Luengo, Raúl Arévalo, Marina Foïs, and Melina Matthews, The Beloved follows “acclaimed film Director Esteban Martínez (Javier Bardem) is a legend both for his films and for his past marked by violence and excess. For his new project, he offers his daughter Emilia (Victoria Luengo) a role under the pretext of helping her with her stalled acting career. While living together on set fosters a closeness they haven’t shared for years, it also reopens old wounds that have never healed.”
Caballo Films, Movistar Plus+, El Ser Querido AIE, and Le Pacte are the production companies behind The Beloved. The Beloved is distributed by A Contracorriente Films (Spain) & Le Pacte (France).
One of the final highly anticipated independent films slated to show at the 2026 Montclair Film Festival is The Debut. On October 24, the sole screening will be held at the MKA Upper School beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The Debut, which stars Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey, Jesse Eisenberg, and Cara Buono is described as “a comic look at the roles we play and the way in which art, experience, and our relationships can reshape who we are and how we live our lives.”
The plot of The Debut reads: “When Mona Friedman (played by Julianne Moore) is cast in a bit part at a small community theater, she transforms from a shy, unassuming housewife into a zealous method actor willing to do anything to protect the artistic integrity of her marginal role—even if it means waging war against the show’s domineering director, Jerry (played by Paul Giamatti).”
After the screening wraps, the audience will sit on the Q&A with stars Jesse Eisenberg (writer/director), Julianne Moore, and Paul Giamatti, which will be moderated by Stephen Colbert.
The Debut is produced by Fruit Tree and distributed by A24.
The 2026 Montclair Film Festival’s opening and closing films are Searchlight Pictures offerings. Starting at 7 p.m. on opening night, October 16, The Wellmont Theater will serve as the screening location of Martin McDonagh’s black comedy political thriller WILD HORSE NINE which stars John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits, and Parker Posey.
On Sunday, October 25 at 5:00 pm at The Montclair Kimberley Academy Upper School, Tony Gilroy’s BEHEMOTH! screens as the festival’s 2026 Closing Night Film. BEHEMOTH! is a Searchlight Pictures release Pedro Pascal, Olivia Wilde, Eva Victor, Will Arnett
October 25 (5 pm) – MKA Upper School
Q&A with our 2026 Filmmaker Tributee Tony Gilroy, moderated by Stephen Colbert, follows the screening.
In a statement shared with ENVERT, Montclair Film Artistic Director Tom Hall, reflected on the festival’s history.
“The 2026 [installment] marks the 15th Anniversary of the Montclair Film Festival, and it is shaping up to be an extraordinary year for cinema,” said Hall. “As we look back on the past 15 years, we have seen remarkable connections forged at our festival, in our education programs, our cinemas, and our community. All of that is due to the work of great filmmakers.”
He continued, “This year’s festival program features remarkable films made by artists who continue to inspire our work. We can’t wait to share them with our audiences.”
The 2026 Montclair Film Festival presented by Volvo will take place between October 16 and October 25, 2026. For a full list of screenings, panels, and other official events, visit Montclair Film’s official website here.
Events presented as part of the 2026 Montclair Film Festival will be held at various venues throughout the city, including The Clairidge, The Bellevue, Cinema505, Montclair Kimberley Academy, The Wellmont Theater, and the Audible Lounge at Montclair Mezzanine. When securing tickets to your desired event online, be sure to confirm the hosting location posted within your confirmation email.
