The Montclair Film Festival Announces 2025 Opening, Closing, Centerpiece Films

Noah Baumbach’s JAY KELLY to Open The 14th Annual Festival, HIKARI’s RENTAL FAMILY set as Fiction Centerpiece, Ryan White’s COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT set as Documentary Centerpiece, and David Michôd’s CHRISTY To Close The Festival

September 3, 2025, Montclair, NJ– Montclair Film has announced the 2025 Opening Night, Centerpiece, and Closing Night Films for the 14th Annual Montclair Film Festival, taking place October 17-26, 2025 in Montclair, NJ.

Friday, October 17 at 7:00 PM at The Wellmont Theater, the 2025 festival opens with JAY KELLY, directed by Noah Baumbach. JAY KELLY, the new film from Academy Award® nominee Noah Baumbach, follows famous movie actor Jay Kelly (George Clooney) and his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler) as they embark on a whirlwind and unexpectedly profound journey through Europe. Along the way, both men are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones, and the legacies they’ll leave behind. The Montclair Film Festival is proud to present JAY KELLY as our 2025 Opening Night Film.
JAY KELLY is a Netflix release

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On Friday, October 24, at 7:30 PM at The Montclair Kimberley Academy Upper School Ryan White’s COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT screens as the festival’s 2025 Documentary Centerpiece. Ryan White’s COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT is a poignant and unexpectedly funny love story about poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley facing an incurable cancer diagnosis with joy, wit and an unshakable partnership. Through laughter and unwavering love, they transform pain into purpose, and mortality into a moving celebration of resilience. Montclair Film is honored to present COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT as our 2025 Documentary Centerpiece Film.
COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT is an AppleTV+ release

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On Saturday, October 25, HIKARI’s RENTAL FAMILY screens as the festival’s 2025 Fiction Centerpiece. Set in modern-day Tokyo, RENTAL FAMILY follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese “rental family” agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection. The Montclair Film Festival is proud to present HIKARI’s RENTAL FAMIL Y as our 2025 Fiction Centerpiece Film.
RENTAL FAMILY is a Searchlight Pictures release

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On Sunday, October 26 at 6:00 PM at The Montclair Kimberley Academy Upper School, David Michôd’s CHRISTY screens as the festival’s 2025 Closing Night Film. Christy Martin (Sydney Sweeney) never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia—until she discovered a knack for punching people. Fueled by grit, raw determination, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim (Ben Foster). But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it—confronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death. Based on remarkable true events, Christy Martin’s story is one of resilience, courage, and the fight to reclaim one’s life. The Montclair Film Festival is proud to present David Michôd’s CHRISTY as our 2025 Closing Night Film.
CHRISTY is a Black Bear release

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“We are so excited to announce the Opening, Closing, and Centerpiece films of the 2025 Montclair Film Festival,” said Montclair Film Artistic Director Tom Hall. “We look forward to continuing to build connection through the power of film, and cannot wait to celebrate this year’s program with audiences.”

The full 2025 Montclair Film Festival program, including the 2025 Competition Films, will be announced on Friday, September 26, 2025.

Tickets for Montclair Film Festival events go on sale on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM for Montclair Film Members and Friday, October 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM for the public. Tickets for all events will be available at montclairfilm.org.