Sewickley's Tull Family Theater part of Film Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Film Festival
In the film “My Fiona,” Jane finds herself overwhelmed by the loss by suicide of her best friend, Fiona.
The movie is one of 32 films that are part of Film Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Film Festival Nov. 10-17 being shown at various theaters across the city. According to Film Pittsburgh, in an effort to heal, Jane begins helping Fiona’s widow Gemma care for their 7-year-old son.
The relationship changes from a tentative friendship into a much deeper affair that helps them to cope but threatens their ability to heal.
“My Fiona” looks at suicide through the eyes of those left behind.
Actress-turned-writer/director Kelly Walker’s debut feature is described as “a realistic portrait of love and loss with an incredible performance by the late Jeanette Maus in the role of Jane. “
The film will be at the Tull Family Theater in Sewickley at 7 p.m. on Nov. 16.
“I have truly enjoyed working with the Tull Family Theater,” said Film Pittsburgh executive director Kathryn Spitz Cohan. “They are a top-notch, class organization with a lovely theater.”
It is the Sewickley theater’s first time as a satellite site for the Three Rivers Film Festival. Select festival films will be shown there from Nov. 11-17.
“We are honored to bring the Three Rivers Film Festival to new audiences and make it more accessible to people living north and west of Pittsburgh,” said Carolina Pais-Barreto Thor, Tull Family Theater’s CEO in a statement. “The theater’s quick implementation of new health and safety protocols, coupled with its ample facilities, positioned us as a hub for collaborations. We couldn’t be more excited to host part of the Three Rivers Film Festival.”
The Three Rivers Film Festival will take place over eight days at four venues. There will be 24 viewings at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty, 14 at Waterworks Cinema along Freeport Road, near Aspinwall, seven at Tull Family Theater and two at Hollywood Theater in Dormont.
Each feature film has a description on Film Pittsburgh’s website.
Film Pittsburgh is also hosting Pittsburgh Shorts. All of those will all be shown at the Kelly Strayhorn from Nov. 18-21.
The Pittsburgh Shorts will showcase11 blocks of short films including dramas, comedies, and “Chiller Theater” selections. One of the “Chiller Theater” shorts blocks is in person and the other virtual. The two “Chiller Theater” features in the Three Rivers Film Festival will be virtual.
Pittsburgh Shorts also includes a script competition with live readings by professional actors and a new conference for local and international filmmakers with workshops, panel discussions, and a keynote address by Academy Award-winning director Barry Jenkins, who will be live but virtual. That is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Both festivals will include virtual screenings, but only Pittsburgh Shorts will offer all-ages blocks.
Tickets for the Three Rivers Film Festival are available here.
Tickets for the Pittsburgh Shorts are available here.
Having venues at various sites in and around the city was important to Spitz Cohan, she said.
“We really want to grow the festivals so that people can watch these films from all over the region,” Spitz Cohan said. “We also enjoy working with as many locally-owned and operated theaters as we can. The past year and a half has been a challenging time for movie theaters.”
Spitz Cohan said this year’s lineup is truly exceptional. All the movies they’ve chosen have been viewed at least once – but most more than once – by Film Pittsburgh.
Some they find and others are submitted films.
“The goal is to create the best lineup we can,” Spitz Cohan said. “This is an international film festival, and we want it to be diverse with voices from many countries.”
She said some of the films may take a person to a place they’ve never been, so they feel like they are there.
Both festivals will include question and answer sessions with cast and crew and a chance to vote for favorite films.
“We’re thrilled to bring audiences back into theaters to see some really special independent films,” said Spitz Cohan.
The Kelly Strayhorn Theater requires proof of vaccination and masks must be worn while inside. The Tull Family Theater said masks are strongly encouraged for all patrons and required for those who are not yet fully vaccinated. Masks are required at the Hollywood Theater. At Waterworks Cinema, fully vaccinated guests are not required to wear a mask, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guests who are not fully vaccinated must wear a mask at all times, except when eating or drinking.
For tickets or more information, visit FilmPittsburgh.org.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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