With the daylight hours waning and chilly weather on the way, autumn is an excellent time to cuddle of with popcorn and a movie. September brings the return of regularly scheduled independent and documentary flicks to the Park City Film Series. And good news for anyone who is dreaming of fluffy white stuff, the season's first ski films are dropping this month to get the stoke up! 

Park City Film Series

Films are screened in the Jim Santy Auditorium at the Park City Library. Tickets are $8 for adults and $7 for students/seniors, unless otherwise noted.

Sept. 6: Art + Belief - 7 p.m. (Free)

Part of the Made in Utah Film Series, Art + Belief documents the journey of Trevor Southey, a gay Mormon artist from Africa who joined up with a group of young, visionary artists in Utah. Their creative endeavors become a movement that changes Mormon and Western art, challenging faith as they grapple with trying to balance individual vision and religious conformity. Director Nathan Florence will host a Q&A session after the film.

Sept. 7 - 9: Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Fri./Sat. 8 p.m., Sun 6 p.m.

Dive into this touching documentary about America's favorite neighbor: Mister Fred Rodgers. Created by the Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind 20 Feet from Stardom, Won't You Be My Neighbor draws an intimate portrait of the man behind the zip-up cardigans and the creative genius that inspired generations of children. 

Sept. 14 - 16: Leave No Trace - Fri./Sat. 8 p.m., Sun 6 p.m.

The idyllic lives of a father and his teenage daughter living off the grid in the forests outside Portland, Oregon are shattered when the two are put into social services. Unable to exist in their new surroundings, the pair sets off to discover a new wild homeland.  Leave No Trace, which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival, is based on the book My Atonement by Peter Rock. Rock will be in Park  City for an author luncheon on October 17 (More details here).

Sept. 21 - 23: Three Identical Strangers - Fri./Sat. 8 p.m., Sun 6 p.m.

As spellbinding as any thriller, this Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Documentary Prize winner tells the story of identical triplets who were separated at birth and later reunited through coincidence. The young men instantly become a global sensation, but their reunion also uncovers a dark secret with repercussions for everyone.

Sept. 23: The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales - 3:30 p.m. 

Head out to the countryside to visit a farm where a fox does the mothering for chickens, a rabbit works as a stork, and ducks dream of being Santa Claus. Behind the quirky stories and gags, the film paints a sensitive and beautiful portrait of family life in the modern era. 

Sept. 27: The Most Unknown - 7 p.m. (Free)

What happens when you send nine scientists -- who study completely different things -- to extraordinary parts of the world to delve into humanity's biggest questions? This documentary explores that question by putting researchers together to tackle new work, pushing both the boundaries of the film medium and science. What the audience is left with is a powerful reminder: unanswered questions are the most important ones to ask. After the film, stick around for a panel (speakers TBD). 

Sept. 28 - 30: All In - Fri./Sat. 8 p.m., Sun 6 p.m.

Changing up the male-dominated ski film formula a bit, this movie promises more than just one token woman in the mix. That being said, it's also not your typical "women can shred, too" film. Nope, this epic ski film from Matchstick Productions promises to deliver a full hour of gnarly skiing and snowboarding from hard-charging women (and men). After all, fun in the mountains can be had by everyone. Come out to Friday night's screening for a chance to win some swag and meet up with some of the featured athletes. Tickets are $15. 

Down in the valley... 

Zip down the canyon to the Red Butte Garden (300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City) to watch the first ski film of the season Far Out on September 19. This Teton Gravity Research film follows athletes to the remote and unexplored Albanian Alps (watch the trailer). It's an outdoor screening, meaning BYOB and a picnic. Come early to catch live music (bands TBD), visit with athletes, and win prizes from sponsors, REI, Yeti, Atomic, Volkl, and Outdoor Research. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the film starts around 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 adult, $10 ages 16 and under, and can be purchased here.

That's it for film for now. See you next month!