TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements

A few weeks ago Turner Classic Movies announced the dates and theme for its 2019 10th anniversary festival.

Next year's festival, with the theme "Follow Your Heart: Love at the Movies," will take place from April 11-14, 2019.

It's now been announced that festival passes will go on sale November 15th.

The first nine titles have also been announced. As is typical for the first titles released for each festival, the announcements are focused on top classics and films celebrating an anniversary; the more obscure titles tend to come later!

Films shown in 2019 will include GONE WITH THE WIND (1939), celebrating its 80th anniversary, and a 40th anniversary world premiere restoration of Clint Eastwood's ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ (1979).

Other titles include TARZAN AND HIS MATE (1934), HOLIDAY (1938), LOVE AFFAIR (1939), and FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953). I'm especially excited at the prospect of seeing George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor in the silent classic SUNRISE (1927) on a big screen.

Keep an eye on the films page at the festival site for news of additional titles!

The good festival news takes place against the backdrop of the somber announcement that AT&T/WarnerMedia is shutting down the FilmStruck streaming service, a TCM spinoff which is greatly loved by those in the classic film community. The closure is apparently in part because the service couldn't provide massive numbers of subscribers to data mine. Profitability is not enough.

This news and the new corporate environment can't help but make one a bit concerned for the future of both TCM and the Warner Archive, but for now we'll appreciate what we still have and look forward to celebrating classic films in Hollywood in April 2019!

Previous post: TCM Announces 2019 Festival Dates and Theme.

November 30, 2018 Update: Latest TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements.

March 1, 2019 Update: New TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements.

March 27, 2019 Update: The 2019 TCM Classic Film Festival Schedule.