Bloomington, Indiana – Film lovers are in for an exciting and diverse season at Indiana University Cinema this fall, with a vibrant schedule that brings together visiting filmmakers, classic cinema icons, independent gems, and spine-chilling horror films. With a mix of fresh voices and cinematic legends, the upcoming season promises something for everyone—whether you’re a student discovering film for the first time or a longtime moviegoer craving something new.
IU Cinema will officially launch its fall programming on August 21 with its annual open house. Attendees can expect refreshments, engaging activities, and an exclusive trailer reel on the big screen that previews highlights of the coming season. As usual, the event is open to the public and serves as a celebration of the cinema’s longstanding commitment to film education and appreciation.
Among the most anticipated highlights is a special 3D presentation of Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense classic “Dial M for Murder,” a nod to the master of tension and technique. Also returning is the ever-popular Welcome Week screening, this year featuring the animated favorite “Shrek”, offering a nostalgic experience for students and the broader community alike.
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Continuing its tradition of showcasing family-friendly films, IU Cinema’s CINEkids series will return alongside long-standing staples like Michael A. McRobbie’s Choice, Underground, and more curated programs that speak to the university’s unique cinematic voice.
One of the standout moments this season is the return of filmmaker Julie Dash, in collaboration with the Black Film Center & Archive. Dash’s seminal film “Daughters of the Dust”—the first full-length feature directed by an African American woman to receive a general theatrical release in the United States—will screen as part of a special 25th-anniversary event.
Additional visiting filmmakers throughout the semester will include:
• Delaney Buffett, who brings her fresh comedic perspective with her new film “Adult Best Friends.”
• Mike Farah, CEO of Funny or Die, with the Emmy-winning satirical biopic “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.”
• Ian Bell and Alex Megaro, who will present their documentary “WTO/99,” which explores the significant protests against the World Trade Organization in 1999.
Fans of classic Hollywood will be delighted by the Three Cheers for 100 Years series, a centennial celebration honoring legendary actors Paul Newman, Dick Van Dyke, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Sellers, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon. Films being featured include:
• The slick and humorous “The Pink Panther”
• The Rat Pack’s lively spoof “Robin and the 7 Hoods”
• The quirky romantic comedy “What a Way to Go!”
• And the iconic, genre-defying “Some Like It Hot”
A complementary display in IU Cinema’s lower lobby will highlight memorabilia and historical context related to these icons and their celebrated works.
For those eager to see what’s new in contemporary cinema, the New Americas Cinema series presents a selection of fresh films from across the Americas. This year’s lineup includes:
• “The Fishbowl,” a gripping eco-drama from Puerto Rico
• Eva Victor’s critically praised debut “Sorry, Baby”
• The much-anticipated sci-fi tale “Mickey 17” from Oscar-winner Bong Joon-ho
• “Seeds,” winner of the 2025 Sundance U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Award
• The visually striking documentary “Gaucho Gaucho”, which explores the world of modern Argentine cowboys and cowgirls
• And “Every Little Thing,” a charming documentary about hummingbirds and the people devoted to them
Those who prefer their cinema with a side of thrills will be pleased to see the return of Friday Night Frights, IU Cinema’s horror series that delivers chills from around the world. Films in this year’s spine-tingling series include:
• Italian gore-fest “Demons”
• The cult-classic psychic horror “Scanners” by David Cronenberg
• Guillermo del Toro’s visually haunting “Crimson Peak”
• South Korea’s supernatural thriller “Exhuma”
• A remastered 4K version of “Donnie Darko”
• A special Halloween night featuring two double features:
o The slasher “Clown in a Cornfield” paired with psychological drama “Red Rooms”
o And later, John Carpenter’s eerie “The Fog” shown in 4K, alongside cyber-horror classic “Tetsuo: The Iron Man.”
Another powerful returning series, Q+, explores the evolution of queer storytelling in film. The lineup challenges viewers to ask whether queer films must always be made by queer creatives, and includes:
• Todd Haynes’ dazzling glam-rock tribute “Velvet Goldmine”
• The hilarious and heartfelt “The Birdcage” starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane
• And Alfonso Cuarón’s coming-of-age drama “Y tu mamá también”
Film historians will appreciate a special spotlight on Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein, whose unfinished project “¡Que viva México!” will be examined through screenings and an exhibition in IU Cinema’s lower-lobby, featuring materials from the Lilly Library and IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
The season also includes a 2K restoration of “Salomé”, the silent 1923 film co-directed by and starring Alla Nazimova, shown in honor of Silent Movie Day. Other highlights:
• A four-film tribute to the late Val Kilmer, titled The One and Only Huckleberry
• The world premiere of a newly composed score for the 1926 film “Ten Nights in a Barroom”, made as part of the Jon Vickers Scoring Award
• And for the holidays, screenings of “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and a beautifully restored 4K version of “The Apartment”
As always, IU Cinema remains a cultural cornerstone for Bloomington and beyond, bringing together film enthusiasts, students, scholars, and filmmakers. With a lineup that spans genres, generations, and geographies, the cinema once again reaffirms its mission to inspire, educate, and entertain.
For full program details, showtimes, and tickets, visitors are encouraged to explore IU Cinema’s official website or check the IU Events calendar. You can also stay up to date by following @iucinema on Instagram, X, Bluesky, and Facebook.
