"The Great Debaters" plays Sunday, Feb. 15 at ISU ($1 Day)
$1 Day !!!
Golden Globe Nominee
Sunday, February 15
4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Based on a true story, poet and professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) teaches at the predominately black Wiley College where he decides to start a debate team, something nearly unheard of at a black college. While at first he butts heads with the influential father (Forest Whitaker) of one of his best debaters, eventually he is able to form a team of strong-minded, intelligent young students, and they become the first black debate team to challenge Harvard's prestigious debate champions. "One of the year's best films," wrote Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times, while Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun Times added, "It's important, it's deeply inspiring, it's something from our not-so-distant past we must not forget, and it should be must-see viewing for high school and college students of all backgrounds." (Rated PG-13) Admission is $1 or free for ISU students with a valid Bengal ID.
Golden Globe Nominee
Sunday, February 15
4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Based on a true story, poet and professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) teaches at the predominately black Wiley College where he decides to start a debate team, something nearly unheard of at a black college. While at first he butts heads with the influential father (Forest Whitaker) of one of his best debaters, eventually he is able to form a team of strong-minded, intelligent young students, and they become the first black debate team to challenge Harvard's prestigious debate champions. "One of the year's best films," wrote Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times, while Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun Times added, "It's important, it's deeply inspiring, it's something from our not-so-distant past we must not forget, and it should be must-see viewing for high school and college students of all backgrounds." (Rated PG-13) Admission is $1 or free for ISU students with a valid Bengal ID.
"Rental Family" plays Sunday, Feb 22 at ISU
Sunday, February 22
4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
A tender dramedy about a lonely American actor (Brendan Fraser) in Tokyo who finds purpose working for a "rental family" agency, playing stand-in relatives for lonely clients, blurring lines between acting and reality as he forms unexpected, genuine bonds while confronting his own isolation and the universal need for connection. The Hollywood Reporter calls it, "A charming surprise, balancing poignancy and humor with rare delicacy," while Tribune News adds, it's "wonderfully life-affirming and quietly resonant." (Rated PG-13) Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff/faculty and free for ISU students with Bengal ID.
4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
A tender dramedy about a lonely American actor (Brendan Fraser) in Tokyo who finds purpose working for a "rental family" agency, playing stand-in relatives for lonely clients, blurring lines between acting and reality as he forms unexpected, genuine bonds while confronting his own isolation and the universal need for connection. The Hollywood Reporter calls it, "A charming surprise, balancing poignancy and humor with rare delicacy," while Tribune News adds, it's "wonderfully life-affirming and quietly resonant." (Rated PG-13) Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff/faculty and free for ISU students with Bengal ID.
$1 Day with "Peanut Butter Falcon" on Friday, May 8
(Tentative)
$1 Day !!!
Heartland Film Festival Winner
Friday, May 8
5:00 & 7:30 p.m.
"Peanut Butter Falcon" was called "The Sweetest Darn Film of the Decade" by Film Inquiry. Starring Dakota Johnson and Shia Labeouf, with newcomer Zack Gottsagen, this Heartland Film Festival winner follows a young man with Down Syndrome who escapes the home where he is kept, meeting a man looking for redemption, and together they take a road trip to find their dreams. "The Feel Good Movie of the Year," writes the San Diego Reader. (Rated PG-13) Admission is $1 or free for ISU students with Bengal ID.
$1 Day !!!
Heartland Film Festival Winner
Friday, May 8
5:00 & 7:30 p.m.
"Peanut Butter Falcon" was called "The Sweetest Darn Film of the Decade" by Film Inquiry. Starring Dakota Johnson and Shia Labeouf, with newcomer Zack Gottsagen, this Heartland Film Festival winner follows a young man with Down Syndrome who escapes the home where he is kept, meeting a man looking for redemption, and together they take a road trip to find their dreams. "The Feel Good Movie of the Year," writes the San Diego Reader. (Rated PG-13) Admission is $1 or free for ISU students with Bengal ID.
"Eleanor the Great" at ISU Sunday, February 8
Sunday, February 8
(Earlier show due to Superbowl)
2:00 & 4:00 p.m.
After her lifelong best friend Bessie dies, Eleanor moves to New York and joins a Holocaust survivors' support group, impulsively taking on Bessie's real story as her own to combat loneliness and grief, and to share her friend's harrowing story publicly for the first time, leading to a viral story by a journalism student that spirals out of control as Eleanor faces the escalating consequences of her elaborate lie. "Enthralling and heartwarming," writes the Austin Chronicle, while The New York Times calls it a "Genuinely moving intergenerational connection between two women who need each other to move past their particular grief." Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff/faculty and free for ISU students with a valid Bengal ID.
(Earlier show due to Superbowl)
2:00 & 4:00 p.m.
After her lifelong best friend Bessie dies, Eleanor moves to New York and joins a Holocaust survivors' support group, impulsively taking on Bessie's real story as her own to combat loneliness and grief, and to share her friend's harrowing story publicly for the first time, leading to a viral story by a journalism student that spirals out of control as Eleanor faces the escalating consequences of her elaborate lie. "Enthralling and heartwarming," writes the Austin Chronicle, while The New York Times calls it a "Genuinely moving intergenerational connection between two women who need each other to move past their particular grief." Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff/faculty and free for ISU students with a valid Bengal ID.
Film Society's Next Show:
Golden Globe Nominee
Sunday, February 1
4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
This Golden Globe nominated story about Bruce Springsteen focuses on the making of his 1982 album, Nebraska, and his personal struggles with fame, depression, and his difficult family past, set against the backdrop of his upcoming massive success with Born in the U.S.A. Linda Holmes of NPR says, "This Jeremy Allen White performance is extraordinary and I think he's riveting," while Rolling Stone adds, "What Cooper has given audiences here is way more compelling than a live-action greatest-hits compilation." Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff and free for ISU students with a valid Bengal ID.
Sunday, February 1
4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
This Golden Globe nominated story about Bruce Springsteen focuses on the making of his 1982 album, Nebraska, and his personal struggles with fame, depression, and his difficult family past, set against the backdrop of his upcoming massive success with Born in the U.S.A. Linda Holmes of NPR says, "This Jeremy Allen White performance is extraordinary and I think he's riveting," while Rolling Stone adds, "What Cooper has given audiences here is way more compelling than a live-action greatest-hits compilation." Admission is $3 for the public, $2 for ISU staff and free for ISU students with a valid Bengal ID.
"20 For 20" Series: Film Society Begins 20th Year
On October 12, 2025 the Pocatello Film Society began our 20th year of showing films at Idaho State University. In this spirit, we plan to show 20 of our favorite films that were shown over the past 20 years.
Already, we have lit up the screen with such revisits of "Selma", "Lincoln", "Green Book", and "Darkest Hour" over the past year or so.
"A Faith Under Siege" at ISU Wednesday, July 2 (FREE)
FREE Film Night!!!
Wednesday, July 2
5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 2
5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
"Ballad of Wallis Island" at ISU Friday, June 6
Friday, June 6
5:00 & 7:30 p.m.
This Sundance Film Festival honoree is an acclaimed indie comedy/drama that follows an eccentric millionaire who pays his favorite musical duo to come to his island to perform a concert. The only problem is the duo has broken up and each don't know the other is coming. Amy Nicholson of the Los Angeles Times writes, "It’s something almost as rare as a revelation: a crowdpleaser I’d recommend to everyone, and I have... and now I’m tipping you off, too." Admission is $3 for the public,$2 for ISU staff/faculty and free for ISU students with a Bengal ID.
5:00 & 7:30 p.m.
This Sundance Film Festival honoree is an acclaimed indie comedy/drama that follows an eccentric millionaire who pays his favorite musical duo to come to his island to perform a concert. The only problem is the duo has broken up and each don't know the other is coming. Amy Nicholson of the Los Angeles Times writes, "It’s something almost as rare as a revelation: a crowdpleaser I’d recommend to everyone, and I have... and now I’m tipping you off, too." Admission is $3 for the public,$2 for ISU staff/faculty and free for ISU students with a Bengal ID.
"Black Bag" plays Friday, May 16 at ISU
Friday, May 16
5:00 & 7:30 p.m.
George and Kathryn are part of a covert group of government operatives. When his beloved wife, Kathryn, is suspected of betraying the nation, intelligence agent George Woodhouse faces the ultimate test -- loyalty to his marriage or his country. Salon calls it, "Movie-watching at its finest... bound to be as enjoyable on a plane or on that comfy couch as it is in the theater. Just make no mistake: This is the most delightful moviegoing experience you can have this year." Admission is $3 for the public,$2 for ISU staff/faculty and free for ISU students with a Bengal ID.
5:00 & 7:30 p.m.
George and Kathryn are part of a covert group of government operatives. When his beloved wife, Kathryn, is suspected of betraying the nation, intelligence agent George Woodhouse faces the ultimate test -- loyalty to his marriage or his country. Salon calls it, "Movie-watching at its finest... bound to be as enjoyable on a plane or on that comfy couch as it is in the theater. Just make no mistake: This is the most delightful moviegoing experience you can have this year." Admission is $3 for the public,$2 for ISU staff/faculty and free for ISU students with a Bengal ID.