Special Events
Pavements with Special Music Video Post Show
- Today, Sep 2
- Sat, Sep 6
Director: Alex Ross Perry Run Time: 149 min. Release Year: 2025
Starring: Bob Nastanovich, Mark Ibold, Scott Kannberg, Stephen Malkmus, Steve West
"You've been chosen as an extra in the movie adaptation of the sequel to your life"
The Night of the Hunter – 70th Anniversary of Des Moines Premiere
- Wed, Sep 3
Wed, Sep 3 @ 7:00 pm: Special Pre-Show Discussion
Director: Charles Laughton Run Time: 93 min. Release Year: 1955
Starring: Billy Chapin, Lillian Gish, Robert Mitchum, Sally Jane Bruce, Shelley Winters
It’s a hard world for little things.
Modern Times – An OLLI Screening
- Thu, Sep 4
Director: Charlie Chaplin Run Time: 87 min. Release Year: 1936
Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Chester Conklin, Henry Bergman, Paulette Goddard, Tiny Sandford
A bumbling tramp desires to build a home with a young woman, yet is thwarted time and time...
Matewan – A Free Screening in Partnership with the Iowa Labor History Society
- Sat, Sep 6
Director: John Sayles Run Time: 132 min. Release Year: 1987
Starring: Chris Cooper, David Strathairn, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham
It takes more than guns to kill a man.
Nurse Unseen with Q&A – Presented by Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity
- Sun, Sep 7
Director: Michele Josue Run Time: 93 min. Release Year: 2024
Join Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity for this special screening and conversation about the Filipino nurses who have long played an essential role in U.S. healthcare.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail with Audience Interaction
- Tue, Sep 9
Director: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones Run Time: 91 min. Release Year: 1975
Starring: Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
And now! At Last! Another film completely different from some of the other films which aren't quite the same as this one is.
Jackpot: America’s Biggest Lotto Scam with Q&A Session with Thomas H. Miller & Terry Rich
- Wed, Sep 10
Wed, Sep 10 @ 7:00 pm: The film's first public theatrical showing!
Director: Brad Osborne Run Time: 45 min. Release Year: 2025
Starring: Jeff LeForce
The plan was genius. The motive was human.
Eno with Director Introduction
- Wed, Sep 17
Director: Gary Hustwit Run Time: 80 min. Release Year: 2024
Starring: Bono, Brian Eno, Chris Martin, David Bowie, David Byrne
No two screenings are ever the same.
Re-Animator – 40th Anniversary Screening
- Thu, Sep 18
Director: Stuart Gordon Run Time: 86 min. Release Year: 1985
Starring: Barbara Crampton, Bruce Abbott, David Gale, Jeffrey Combs, Robert Sampson
Herbert West has a good head on his shoulders...and another one on his desk.
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror
- Thu, Sep 25
Thu, Sep 25 @ 7:00 pm: In celebration of Rocky Horror's 50th Anniversary!
Director: Linus O'Brien Run Time: 90 min. Release Year: 2025
Starring: Barry Bostwick, Nell Campbell, Richard O'Brien, Susan Sarandon, Tim Curry
A wild journey into the origins of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the biggest cult film of all...
Metropolis with Live Score – Des Moines Film’s 10th Anniversary
- Sun, Sep 28
Sun, Sep 28 @ 7:00 pm: Celebrate with us!
Director: Fritz Lang Run Time: 153 min. Release Year: 1927 Language: German
Starring: Alfred Abel, Brigitte Helm, Gustav Fröhlich, Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Theodor Loos
Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Des Moines Film with this special screening and live score.
MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival: You Be the Judge!
- Tue, Sep 30
- Sat, Oct 4
Tue, Sep 30 @ 7:00 pm: Cast your vote!Sat, Oct 4 @ 1:00 pm: Cast your vote!
Run Time: 234 min.
The beloved worldwide film festival returns to Des Moines at Varsity Cinema. YOU be the judge!
The Librarians with Panel Discussion
- Tue, Oct 7
Tue, Oct 7 @ 6:30 pm: Celebrate Banned Book week with us!
Director: Kim A. Snyder Run Time: 94 min. Release Year: 2025
Following the show, a panel of voices organized by Cowles Library at Drake University will share how the issues raised...
National Theatre Live: Inter Alia
- Sun, Oct 12
Director: Justin Martin Run Time: 105 min. Release Year: 2025
Starring: Jamie Glover, Jasper Talbot, Rosamund Pike
A searing new play from the team behind Prima Facie.
Misery – 35th Anniversary Screening with TCM Festival Q&A
- Tue, Oct 14
- Sun, Oct 19
Director: Rob Reiner Run Time: 107 min. Release Year: 1990
Starring: Frances Sternhagen, James Caan, Kathy Bates, Lauren Bacall, Richard Farnsworth
Paul Sheldon used to write for a living. Now, he’s writing to stay alive.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Live Shadow Cast
- Fri, Oct 17
- Sat, Oct 18
Fri, Oct 17 @ 10:00 pm: Celebrate Rocky Horror's 50th Anniversary!Sat, Oct 18 @ 1:00 pm: Celebrate Rocky Horror's 50th Anniversary!
Director: Jim Sharman Run Time: 100 min. Release Year: 1975
Starring: Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, Richard O'Brien, Susan Sarandon, Tim Curry
A different set of jaws.
Scooby-Doo with Audience Interaction
- Tue, Oct 21
Director: Raja Gosnell Run Time: 87 min. Release Year: 2002
Starring: Freddie Prinze Jr., Linda Cardellini, Matthew Lillard, Neil Fanning, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Be afraid. Be kind of afraid.