The Public Cinema

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The Public Cinema Screening contemporary International and American cinema for Knoxville audiences. Now a regular series on the first Tuesday of the month at Central Cinema.

Also, curators of the film program at Big Ears Festival. The Public Cinema exists to share vital works of contemporary international and American cinema—works that might otherwise be unseen or overlooked by Knoxville audiences. Many of the films we screen are discoveries from the festival circuit; some will be Tennessee or regional premieres. Whatever we screen, our only agenda is to create a space for cinema as an art form and to promote discussion among discerning moviegoers.

We're thrilled to announce MOUSE will be the opening night film of 2026 FILM FEST KNOX, with filmmakers Kelly O'Sullivan...
09/20/2026

We're thrilled to announce MOUSE will be the opening night film of 2026 FILM FEST KNOX, with filmmakers Kelly O'Sullivan and Alex Thompson in attendance. One of the great American films of the year!

It's 2002, and best friends Minnie (Kupferer) and Callie (Coleman) ...

07/19/2026

In theaters July 3.If poetry had a pop icon, Mary Oliver would be...

06/22/2026

Writer-director Milagros Mumenthaler's film revolves around a successful young Buenos Aires fashion designer whose world is upended after a work trip gone awry.

The great Cronenberg speaks!
05/27/2026

The great Cronenberg speaks!

“This is a beautiful film, really beautifully made. It really flows, it flows almost like a documentary, but with beautiful aesthetic control. That’s really a difficult tightrope to walk.”

Don't believe us? Take David Cronenberg's word for it! The all-time greatest Canadian filmmaker is such a fan of Blue Heron, he volunteered to moderate a recent screening in Toronto.

See it for free on Wednesday, May 27, at its only Knoxville screening.

We're showing BLUE HERON on Wednesday, May 27. You should come!
05/19/2026

We're showing BLUE HERON on Wednesday, May 27. You should come!

The writer and director of BLUE HERON shares how John Cassavetes inspired her own approach to independent filmmaking, praises THE WATERMELON WOMAN and NOT A ...

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