The annual Centre Film Festival is returning for its fourth year in just a few weeks. Running from October 31 to November 6, there are plenty of movies for everyone to enjoy, from well-known films to locally made movies.

Attendees can view feature films that are on the 2023 Academy Awards watchlist, such as the crime thriller “Holy Spider.” Additionally, there are short films, documentaries, and more. In total, there are more than 50 different titles to explore during the film festival.

There are also plenty of films that feature a local connection. For example, the documentary “Of Medicine and Miracles” is about Emily Whitehead, a Philipsburg native who was the first child to undergo CAR T-cell therapy to successfully treat cancer.

Several films are featured that have been directed by Penn State alumni, current students, and students of local high schools. Penn State students have been actively involved in the festival, not only by directing films, but with marketing, organizational, and creative efforts.

Pearl Gluck, the festival’s co-founder and a Penn State faculty member, is excited about the variety of films that’ll be showcased. Since the festival’s inception in 2019, she has tried to showcase films that have both local and global relevance.

“This year’s films speak to us about what’s going on in the world,” Gluck says. “Seeing the impact of those issues through a filmmaker’s lens makes them more immediate.”

Movies selected for the festival will screen at either the State Theatre in downtown State College or the Rowland Theater in Philipsburg. Additionally, a wide variety of the movies are also available for online screenings.

Opening night of the Centre Film Festival will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 31 at the State Theatre. The closing celebration and the awards ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on November 6, also at the State Theatre.

The full festival schedule can be found on the Centre Film Festival’s website, as can all of the films being shown and their synopses.

Tickets can be purchased online in the form of an all-access pass or for individual showings. Student tickets are free with an uploaded picture of a student ID.