TCM Announces 2016 Festival Dates and Theme

TCM released big news regarding the 2016 TCM Classic Film Festival dates and theme earlier this week!

The festival will be held in Hollywood from April 28th to May 1st, 2016.

The theme is "Moving Pictures," described on the Festival site as "the ones that move us to tears, rouse us to action, inspire us, even project us to a higher plane...These are the films that set our love of cinema in motion."

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel continues as festival headquarters, with screenings at the Chinese, Chinese 6 Multiplex, and Egyptian Theatres, as well as "other Hollywood venues." I would anticipate those venues would include the El Capitan Theatre, which has hosted a day of screenings each of the last couple of years.

After a health-related absence in 2015, it's expected that Robert Osborne will return to serve as a festival host, along with his TCM colleague Ben Mankiewicz.

Ticket prices will hold firm this year, with no increases over last year's pricing.

The news caught many by surprise, as it was released weeks ahead of the usual September or October announcement. Indeed, I was on the road when the news was announced and found myself scrambling to immediately book my hotel on my smartphone as we drove through the Oregon mountains!

TCM also released a short promotional video. Like last year's video, it includes shots of my friends Kellee and Aurora, whose million-dollar smiles make them naturals for TCM ads!

Another friend, Will McKinley, has posted an overview of the 2016 festival news along with his suggestions on how TCM can beat the "seven-year itch" and keep things fresh. I really liked his commentary and thought it was great that TCM General Manager Jennifer Dorian Tweeted to Will "We're listening!"

Those interested will want to bookmark the festival's website and Twitter account.

Year after year, the TCM Classic Film Festival provides unforgettable movie-going experiences and the chance to share such moments with friends from all over the country -- indeed, from all over the world. (Last year I met friends from Japan and Scotland!) Seeing beautiful prints in historic venues with other enthusiastic classic film fans is a "must" experience.

Please visit my overview of this year's festival for a look at the TCM Classic Film Festival experience. Links to my coverage of prior festivals can be found at the bottom of the post.

November 2015 Update: TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements; February 2016 Update: The Latest TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements.