What To Expect At The Plaza Classic Film Festival 2025

Returning to El Paso as an adult made me realize just how vibrant our arts scene has become. That realization hit me hard when I discovered the Plaza Classic Film Festival. What started as a nostalgic journey into film grew into a full-blown love affair with our city’s cultural heartbeat. Here’s why this festival is something every film lover and any curious El Pasoan needs on their calendar.

🎬 What Makes 2025 Extra Special

Dates: July 17 to 27, 2025. This year, the festival kicks off a week earlier than usual.
Edition: Celebrating its 18th anniversary, a true staple in El Paso’s cultural calendar.
Venues: The historic Plaza Theatre and Philanthropy Theatre will serve as the primary screening locations.
Films: More than 90 films will be shown, offering something for every type of cinephile.

2025 Theme: Hollywood Goes to War

This year’s programming explores World War II in cinema, highlighting both direct portrayals and films influenced by the era.

Films to watch:

Saving Private Ryan
Patton
The Great Escape
Zoot Suit
A League of Their Own
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Sergeant York
Dumbo
Going My Way

Special focus:
The "Never Forget" segment will include Schindler’s List and The Diary of Anne Frank.

And for those not in the mood for war stories, there are plenty of crowd-pleasers like Notting Hill, King Creole, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Celebrity Guests and Film Premieres

2025 brings some serious star power and unique screenings.

Luis Valdez, the trailblazing director of La Bamba and Zoot Suit, will appear with both films on July 18 and 19.
Veronica Cartwright, known for Alien and The Birds, will attend screenings of both films on July 25 and 26.
The regional premiere of Long Shadows, a new Western produced by El Paso native Allen Gilmer, will take place on July 26.
On July 27, a 1922 silent film titled Her Husband’s Trademark, partially filmed in El Paso, will return to the screen with a live score by composer Enrique Ponce.

Off-Screen Events and Community Flavor

The energy of the festival spreads across the city with events at multiple cultural institutions.

The Local Flavor Showcase and Awards (July 27) will spotlight homegrown filmmakers.
A free outdoor screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (July 19) will turn Oregon Street into a party.
Kids' movies and programming will run in the Philanthropy Theatre.
Partner events will be hosted at the El Paso Holocaust Museum, La Nube STEAM Center, El Paso Museum of Art, and more.

🌟 Stars Who Have Walked Through El Paso

The Plaza Classic Film Festival has built a reputation not only for its stunning screenings but also for drawing some truly iconic names in cinema. Past guests have included:

Debbie Reynolds, the El Paso native and star of Singin’ in the Rain, who charmed a sold-out crowd in 2010.
F. Murray Abraham, Oscar-winning actor and fellow El Paso native.
Rita Moreno, who returned to the Plaza Theatre she once helped save with a benefit concert.
Richard Dreyfuss, who honored a local teacher during one of his visits.
Eva Marie Saint, known for North by Northwest, who gave a memorable on-stage talk.
Kathleen Turner, who has appeared for film presentations and discussions.
Mira Sorvino and Sissy Spacek, both Oscar winners and special guests.
Walt Strony, renowned theater organist who brought silent films to life on the Plaza’s Wurlitzer organ.
Scott McGee of Turner Classic Movies and critic Laura Emerick, both contributors to past festival panels.
Filmmakers and artists like Ilana Lapid, Javier Gonzalez, and Austin Savage, who have helped deepen the festival’s connection to local talent and global film.
And lets not forget Helen Hunt, who not only joined us for a Plaza Classic but also made a mini BBC Documentary about how much she loves El Paso.

This deep bench of creative voices has made Plaza Classic a major stop on the national festival circuit and a treasure for El Paso.

Why It All Matters

The Plaza Classic Film Festival is more than a film series. It’s a living, breathing love letter to cinema, community, and the culture of El Paso. It gives us a place to revisit old favorites, discover new classics, and feel the magic of movies in a space that honors their legacy.

If you’ve ever loved a film, this festival is for you. If you’ve ever wanted to see your city become a hub of artistic celebration, it’s already happening.

🎟️ Explore the full schedule and plan your festival experience at plazaclassic.com