How the TCM Classic Film Festival Is Programming to Draw in Social Media Enthusiasts, Multi-Generational Audiences and Major Guests

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This year’s TCM Classic Film Festival, happening from April 24th to the 27th for its 16th installment, is particularly significant for the network and the broader world of classic films.

With an increasing number of movie enthusiasts gravitating towards classic film showings in Los Angeles and various other locations, the TCM Classic Film Festival is seizing the opportunity by utilizing TikTok and content creators to promote these events.

Starting in January, TCM launched a video series called “New Voices of Film,” where three film enthusiasts, each with their own content creation background, picked a movie to air on the network. The choices varied widely, from Douglas Sirk’s melodrama “All That Heaven Allows” and Billy Wilder’s “A Foreign Affair,” to the classic pre-code film “Merrily We Go to Hell.” To connect with a younger demographic, TCM has also been active on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, creating brief videos that highlight both modern and older films.

Clara Bow played a sassy summer girl in the movie “It” during the 1920s. The love triangle in “The Challengers” is similar to the one in Ernst Lubitsch’s “Design for Living.

As a keen admirer, I can’t help but be captivated by the intriguing TikTok and Instagram videos that have crossed my path. The creator behind “Be Kind Rewind” on YouTube, Isabel Custodio, has truly caught my eye. Notably, she was highlighted in TCM’s “New Voices of Film.” Her unique female-centric history channel has garnered a substantial following of 330,000 subscribers.

Custodio explains to EbMaster that in a unique approach, they’re blending contemporary jargon or TikTok expressions into a traditional movie setting. This strategy, he believes, attracts new viewers by using language familiar to them, which is quite smart. Previously, at the TCM Film Festival, there was much excitement about this idea among the higher-ups and members club.

The festival takes place near iconic cinemas on Hollywood Boulevard such as the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Egyptian Theatre, and the El Capitan. Its diverse selection aims to cater to a broad audience, from mainstream moviegoers to younger cinephiles. Soon, the festival will gather insights regarding attendance of the latter group.

Kick off the festival on April 24 with the opening night pick “The Empire Strikes Back.” You’ll also find acclaimed Academy Award winners such as the 1942 film “Mrs. Miniver.” Additionally, there are lesser-known classics like the 1935 movie “Diamond Jim” starring Edward Arnold and Jean Arthur, which are considered “deep cuts” for true TCM enthusiasts. Films from various genres dating back to the 1960s, including titles like “Mothra,” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” and “Car Wash,” expand the definition of a classic film.

During the four-day run of the TCM Classic Film Festival, the spotlight shines on the network, offering movie enthusiasts a peek at year-round programming. According to executive director Genevieve McGillicuddy, this is an ideal moment for appreciating a diverse “mix of generations.” Yet, she points out that over time, the festival’s demographic hasn’t seen significant shifts.

According to McGillicuddy, we aren’t focusing on one specific audience group, but rather aiming to reflect the full spectrum of cinematic history. Our audience appreciates this diversity and depth, which is what we strive to provide.

Besides showing movies, the festival usually includes ceremonies where hands and feet are imprinted as well. This upcoming year, Michelle Pfeiffer is set to receive an honor at the TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, accompanied by a screening of “The Fabulous Baker Boys” from 1989.

For Brandon Johnston, a TikTok creator based in Los Angeles who is known for his passion for film history and was even showcased in “New Voices of Cinema,” an event like Turner Classic Movies (TCM) festival offers a unique chance to witness legendary figures personally discuss and honor their work. This is particularly significant for those attending the festival from outside Los Angeles, as revival screenings aren’t as frequent there.

Johnston remarks that we’re approaching a time when fewer true Golden Age stars will come and discuss their films. He’s made an effort to attend as many screenings as possible featuring people he feels might be among the last to share their personal experiences about these movies.

Since David Lynch’s passing, these sentiments resonate even stronger. In choosing who to invite as guests, McGillicuddy and TCM prioritize broadening their scope beyond just academia and specialists or scholars.

Jennifer Grant, daughter of Cary Grant, has frequented this festival multiple times to discuss her father and his career, and she’s set to return this year with ‘To Catch a Thief.’ According to McGillicuddy, another notable figure is Lol Crowley, the cinematographer who won an Oscar for ‘The Brutalist.’ He filmed that movie in VistaVision, so we’ve asked him to introduce one of our films that we will also be screening in this format.

Since the beginning of programming, TCM has consistently faced a dilemma concerning the presentation of films with outdated or offensive content, as pointed out by McGillicuddy. For example, in 2019, TCM hosted a panel discussion titled “The Controversial Legacy of Gone With The Wind,” addressing one of the most critically analyzed and re-examined classic films from its time.

These internal conversations often carry over to the festival, too.

McGillicuddy emphasizes the significance of not merely displaying films, but rather presenting them. He believes there’s worth in grasping the circumstances behind why a movie was created during a specific period, including representation and stereotypes. This background information is crucial to our entire operation, serving as the fundamental structure of our network.

Johnston echoes the same viewpoint, stating, “If we focus too much on specific circumstances, we might unintentionally diminish its significance. For instance, we should acknowledge the challenging times and the prevalent racism, but we must also appreciate the achievement. That is, Hattie McDaniel’s participation in the film was significant, as was her winning an Oscar for it. If we don’t strive for balance, we might misrepresent history, suggesting that everything was regressive.

As the festival approaches, it attracts both returning visitors and newcomers eager to explore these movies, and Custodio remarks that it is one of the rare instances left where fans of classic cinema can gather together to express their mutual admiration under one roof.

You’re welcome to join us for some casual gatherings, possibly including a Q&A session. People will be socializing, chatting with each other while waiting in line. Everyone is eager to share their expectations about what everyone else is looking forward to. It doesn’t have the vibe of a typical film festival where people are just trying to secure seats for the next big release, no. They come here because they genuinely love cinema and are willing to spend money to experience it on the big screen – perhaps for the first time.

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2025-04-23 21:17