The Gallup Film Festival opens its curtains this Thursday, Sept. 13, and runs through Saturday, Sept. 15. It all begins at 5:30pm with doors opening at the historic El Morro Theater (207 W. Coal Ave.). At 6:30pm organizers show off the opening night film, Defending the Fire—a documentary examination of the history, lore and myth of the Native American “warrior” figure. Tickets are $5. Scheduled at 7:30pm is a special guest Q&A with noted Native actor Wes Studi (The Last of the Mohicans, Mystery Men, Heat, Avatar, “Skinwalkers,” “Penny Dreadful”). That’s followed by a meet-and-greet party with the actor at Gallup’s Downtown Conference Center (204 W. Coal Ave.) starting at 8pm. Tickets for this opening night meet-and-greet are $25. Films continue on Friday at 4pm with a weekend-long collection of shorts, documentaries, music videos and features. All programming blocks are $5 each. For a complete schedule of films and times, go to gallupfilmfestival.com.
Reel World: Cinema Al Fresco Cinema Al Fresco
Movies on the Plaza continues at Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza in Downtown with a free screening of the Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures on Friday, Sept. 14. The 2016 biographical drama is based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s nonfiction book about the black female mathematicians who worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and were crucial in launching the Space Race of the ’50s. Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Butler and Janelle Monáe are among the cast. The film is rated PG and will show at the Civic Plaza main stage starting at dusk (around 8pm). Prior to the film, starting at 6pm, ABQ Food Fridays offers delicious dinner options and a selection of micro-bew beers for sale at Civic Plaza’s own mobile kitchen. Family friendly bands will play until just before the movie.
Reel World: An Offer You Can’t Refuse An Offer You Can’t Refuse
The Great American Read, a PBS-led celebration of America’s all-time favorite books, continues at Albuquerque’s Main Library (501 Copper Ave. NW) with a screening of the classic 1972 gangster film The Godfather. Frankly, Francis Ford Coppola’s Oscar-winnning film is a lot better than Mario Puzo’s best-selling but occasionally skeezy novel of the same name. Still, you’re welcome to see the movie, read the book and decide for yourself. The film screening is free and open to the public. It starts at 1pm on Saturday, Sept. 15.
Reel World: Albuquerque Or Afghanistan? Albuquerque Or Afghanistan?
Adult Movie Night returns to the Central and Unser Library (8081 Central Ave. NW) on Monday, Sept. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. This week features the modern war drama 12 Strong, starring Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon and Michael Peña. The film tells the true-life story of the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11. It was shot right here in New Mexico, with our own high-desert landscapes substituting for Afghanistan. The film is rated R and admission to the screening is free.
