New Orleans Film Fest presents a local artist, a Clooney vehicle, a re-imagined classic, more: NOLA
New Orleans Film Fest presents a local artist, a Clooney vehicle, a re-imagined classic, more: NOLA
Sep 9, 2025
With over 3,700 submissions pared down to just under 140 selections from countries as far away as the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates, the New Orleans Film Society is poised to present a wide-ranging list of films over the course of the New Orleans Film Festival this year.
“This larger pool of films makes every decision for our official selections that much more difficult,” said Clint Bowie, artistic director of the New Orleans Film Society. “When it comes to the opening night film, we’re looking for a film that will appeal to a broad, generalized audience, but with a title that represents the talents here.
"In the past, we’ve had films like '12 Years a Slave' or 'C’mon C’mon,' with Joaquin Phoenix, shot entirely in New Orleans, and featuring a lot of talent in front of and behind the camera. We’re looking for something that will engage a local crowd but has an opportunity to showcase everything about New Orleans to outsiders. This film celebrates arts and culture and allows us to honor someone who has done so much to promote the city and enliven its culture.”
The opening night film for 2025 is “Michalopoulos: The Art of Celebration," a WLAE production, directed by Sean O’Malley, which traces the evolution of famed New Orleans artist James Michalopoulos. In the four decades he has lived here, Michalopoulos has been a champion for the city’s artists and has preserved the spirit of the city through his own enduring art.
“James made a name for himself originally when he painted New Orleans architecture, but I think many people know him from Jazz Fest,” O’Malley said. “He’s done eight of the official posters — from Louis Armstrong, Dr. John and Fats Domino to Aaron Neville, Allen Toussaint and this year’s Tank and the Bangas.
"His art always picks up on what it’s like to be in the neighborhoods of New Orleans. He captures houses as if they’re dancing, the same way you feel when you walk down these streets. Nothing is static; there’s energy, they move.”
New Orleans through a different lens
Formerly James Mitchell, he took back his family’s Greek surname Michalopoulos as an adult, after moving from Pittsburgh at the age of 27. He spends most of the year in New Orleans, where he has his art gallery in the French Quarter. However, he renovated an old decaying farmhouse in Cluny, France, 25 years ago, and spends summers there.
“With the art of James Michalopoulos, you see New Orleans through a different lens,” O’Malley said. “He chose New Orleans as his muse, and I think we’re very fortunate for that.”
Beyond this remarkable feature documentary, the choices for film viewing are nearly endless. On Sept. 9, the New Orleans Film Society announced some of its special picks for the closing night, centerpiece and spotlight films.
The festival’s centerpiece film is “Jay Kelly,” the latest from acclaimed director Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story,” “Barbie”), starring George Clooney as a famous movie star traveling through Europe with his devoted manager, played by Adam Sandler. Critics call it profound.
The closing night film, sure to be a crowd-pleaser, is the third installment of the “Knives Out" mystery franchise: “Wake Up Dead Man,” directed by Rian Johnson.
In the film, Daniel Craig reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc, on his most dangerous case yet. The ensemble cast, just to name a few, includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner and Kerry Washington.
Spotlighting standouts
Spotlight films include three standouts. “Hedda” directed by Nia DaCosta (“The Marvels”) stars Tessa Thompson in a screenplay reimagined from the classic "A Doll's House," Henrik Ibsen’s most famous play. Critics describe the film, which just premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, as a spiral of manipulation, passion and betrayal.
In another spotlight film, “Is This Thing On?,” Bradley Cooper directs Will Arnett portraying a middle-aged man whose marriage to wife Tess (Laura Dern) is unraveling, while he seeks new purpose in the New York comedy scene.
“Even if you don’t love live comedy, this is a deep film about what drives us,” Bowie said.
And, coming off a recent Oscar win for “The Whale,” Brendan Fraser stars in “Rental Family” as an American in Tokyo, working for a Japanese agency playing stand-in roles for strangers. If the concept has you intrigued, critics say it’s a masterpiece, blurring the lines of performance and reality.
There are also 12 special presentation features, along with five special presentation shorts and a whole slew of other great films. They can all be found on neworleansfilmsociety.org, where viewers can also purchase individual tickets and all-access passes.
The 36th annual New Orleans Film Festival presented by Andscape runs in-person from Oct. 23-27, with virtual screening available through Nov. 2.
“This larger pool of films makes every decision for our official selections that much more difficult,” said Clint Bowie, artistic director of the New Orleans Film Society. “When it comes to the opening night film, we’re looking for a film that will appeal to a broad, generalized audience, but with a title that represents the talents here.
"In the past, we’ve had films like '12 Years a Slave' or 'C’mon C’mon,' with Joaquin Phoenix, shot entirely in New Orleans, and featuring a lot of talent in front of and behind the camera. We’re looking for something that will engage a local crowd but has an opportunity to showcase everything about New Orleans to outsiders. This film celebrates arts and culture and allows us to honor someone who has done so much to promote the city and enliven its culture.”
The opening night film for 2025 is “Michalopoulos: The Art of Celebration," a WLAE production, directed by Sean O’Malley, which traces the evolution of famed New Orleans artist James Michalopoulos. In the four decades he has lived here, Michalopoulos has been a champion for the city’s artists and has preserved the spirit of the city through his own enduring art.
“James made a name for himself originally when he painted New Orleans architecture, but I think many people know him from Jazz Fest,” O’Malley said. “He’s done eight of the official posters — from Louis Armstrong, Dr. John and Fats Domino to Aaron Neville, Allen Toussaint and this year’s Tank and the Bangas.
"His art always picks up on what it’s like to be in the neighborhoods of New Orleans. He captures houses as if they’re dancing, the same way you feel when you walk down these streets. Nothing is static; there’s energy, they move.”
New Orleans through a different lens
Formerly James Mitchell, he took back his family’s Greek surname Michalopoulos as an adult, after moving from Pittsburgh at the age of 27. He spends most of the year in New Orleans, where he has his art gallery in the French Quarter. However, he renovated an old decaying farmhouse in Cluny, France, 25 years ago, and spends summers there.
“With the art of James Michalopoulos, you see New Orleans through a different lens,” O’Malley said. “He chose New Orleans as his muse, and I think we’re very fortunate for that.”
Beyond this remarkable feature documentary, the choices for film viewing are nearly endless. On Sept. 9, the New Orleans Film Society announced some of its special picks for the closing night, centerpiece and spotlight films.
The festival’s centerpiece film is “Jay Kelly,” the latest from acclaimed director Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story,” “Barbie”), starring George Clooney as a famous movie star traveling through Europe with his devoted manager, played by Adam Sandler. Critics call it profound.
The closing night film, sure to be a crowd-pleaser, is the third installment of the “Knives Out" mystery franchise: “Wake Up Dead Man,” directed by Rian Johnson.
In the film, Daniel Craig reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc, on his most dangerous case yet. The ensemble cast, just to name a few, includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner and Kerry Washington.
Spotlighting standouts
Spotlight films include three standouts. “Hedda” directed by Nia DaCosta (“The Marvels”) stars Tessa Thompson in a screenplay reimagined from the classic "A Doll's House," Henrik Ibsen’s most famous play. Critics describe the film, which just premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, as a spiral of manipulation, passion and betrayal.
In another spotlight film, “Is This Thing On?,” Bradley Cooper directs Will Arnett portraying a middle-aged man whose marriage to wife Tess (Laura Dern) is unraveling, while he seeks new purpose in the New York comedy scene.
“Even if you don’t love live comedy, this is a deep film about what drives us,” Bowie said.
And, coming off a recent Oscar win for “The Whale,” Brendan Fraser stars in “Rental Family” as an American in Tokyo, working for a Japanese agency playing stand-in roles for strangers. If the concept has you intrigued, critics say it’s a masterpiece, blurring the lines of performance and reality.
There are also 12 special presentation features, along with five special presentation shorts and a whole slew of other great films. They can all be found on neworleansfilmsociety.org, where viewers can also purchase individual tickets and all-access passes.
The 36th annual New Orleans Film Festival presented by Andscape runs in-person from Oct. 23-27, with virtual screening available through Nov. 2.