Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a beautiful place to vacation, and even though I saw two days of warmth and sunshine, the time of year provided the perfect weather for indoor movie-watching…and attendees had a lot of movies to choose from! My first time attending the Provincetown International Film Festival was delightful. I enjoyed my time in the town, with its unique spots, New England charm, friendly people, and fun vibe all around. I couldn’t get enough of the lovely homes, historic sites, and stunning beach views. This is a terrific setting for a film festival. As a unique stop on the festival circuit, PIFF leans into indie storytelling from queer, marginalized audiences who are eager to watch fresh creative voices that have earned acclaim from around the world.
PIFF Audience Awards Celebrates The Audience Favorites
In-person festival goers vote on the coveted PIFF Audience Awards, which reflect the festival’s LGBTQ+ attendees. This year, Carmen Emmi’s Plainclothes, a captivating narrative feature, won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature, while Ryan White’s emotionally resonating and intimate documentary Come See Me In The Good Light earned the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature, which I caught at Sundance.
See Also: 2025 Sundance Film Festival: Virtual Review Round-Up
John Schlesinger Awards Showcase First-Time Feature Filmmakers
Named after acclaimed director John Schlesinger, the juried awards spotlight the talents of debut feature filmmakers. The Narrative Award, selected by Jimpa filmmaker Sophie Hyde, was awarded to Sarah Friedland’s Familiar Touch. The Documentary Award, juried by filmmaker Heidi Ewing (Folktales), was presented to Brittany Shyne’s incredible documentary, Seeds, which truly showcases the best of nonfiction storytelling.
For cinephiles, industry professionals, and indie cinema fans, the 2025 Provincetown International Film Festival showcased some of the season’s best film festival titles, making PIFF a place to discover these titles and mingle with some of the industry’s well-connected talent, all set against the backdrop of a beautiful beach town. Here are some of the highlights of the movie I watched:
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror
Linus O’Brien’s definitive documentary about the beloved and influential cult classic was a hit and such a perfect kickoff to the film festival; I can’t imagine how other years compare. This doc is a nice reflection of how the musical was produced and received by audiences. I was amused that the same 50 people went to see it week after week when it first opened, paving the way for how people watch it now. An unexpected direction was how it covered the shadow cast members, especially a woman who is a nurse five days a week, and she does this twice a week as a way to find herself.
The Librarians
Kim A. Snyder’s documentary was a hot topic of book banning, and it will only resonate in America’s authoritarian era. Lay the groundwork for the far right, who challenge books to be removed or reorganized in the library. It showcases ordinary Americans, people of conviction who could help end this madness: the veteran who served and is now a librarian, the devout Catholic librarian who prays the rosary, and, who stuck with me the most, a Texas hairdresser (who received the big applause moment). All believed in free speech and liberty enough to save it. It proudly preaches to the choir, but it shows it doesn’t have to be this way.
Creede USA
Although sharing a similar tone but taking a different direction, Kahane Cooperman’s thoughtful and revelatory documentary highlights the Colorado town of Creede as a backdrop for the culture wars, presenting a distinct framing of how people must communicate with each other and coexist despite their disagreements. Community meetings with neighbors depolarize the conflict, while individuals maintain their beliefs. The power of the arts and theater (from the Creede Repertory Theatre) can shape a community, bridge misunderstandings in the context of a small Colorado town, and serve as a clarion call for civility in a world demanding anything but.
Honey Don’t
Ethan Coen’s detective comedy film, the second of his “lesbian B-movie trilogy” (with no current plans for a third), features a fun cast including Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Day, Chris Evans, and Billy Eichner. Qualley and Evans were my favorite performances, delivering many of the better comic gags and a perfect fit for Coen’s darkly quirky sensibility. The movie’s script was lucky to have them. Still, the setups and jokes had me laughing quite a bit during its breezy runtime. However, the overall movie didn’t always come together as a complete picture, like Drive Away Dolls, a gentle disappointment with the assembled pedigree.
East of Wall
A staggering indie debut, both beautifully shot and intimately told. Director Kate Beecroft and actress Tabatha Zimiga worked exceptionally well together in the docu-fiction, which blends narrative and documentary in some of the best ways. The poignant story about a rebellious horse trainer (Tabatha) struggles with grief and money while sheltering troubled teens on her rundown Badlands ranch after her husband’s death. Though it will fairly or unfairly be compared to The Rider, it felt different from a storytelling standpoint. East of Wall navigates a tender balance between beauty and restlessness, like the wild horses that roam the mountain west.
Twinless
Probably my favorite movie of the festival, and it was worth the wait after I missed it during the online Sundance screening. James Sweeney’s very funny, witty, and heartbreaking dark comedy was mesmerizing in every frame as Sweeney confidently commands every moment. My favorite aspect was how different straight Roman and gay Dennis were and the performances they delivered. The two main characters had a believable friendship, and even if the twists were a tad unrealistic, they found their footing. Regardless, I loved where the movie ended up, with its heart in the right place, and I’ve been thinking about it often ever since. This is a sign of a lasting movie.
And that’s a wrap on the Provincetown Film Festival.
