New Park City Film Festival to open with hometown filmmaker’s documentary

Photo: Park City Film.

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City Film recently announced its inaugural Park City Film Festival, debuting Oct. 23 with “The Life We Leave,” a documentary from Park City native JJ Gerber. Today, the nonprofit organization announced the festival’s schedule.

Gerber, an Emmy-nominated producer, grew up in Park City and has worked on narrative and documentary films for more than 15 years. “The Life We Leave” marks his directorial debut. The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest, where it drew strong audience response.

Over three days, the festival will screen five documentaries and four narrative films, along with filmmaker panel discussions and post-screening question-and-answer sessions.

The full lineup includes:

• “The Life We Leave,” directed by JJ Gerber, USA documentary and opening night film
• “Adam’s Apple,” directed by Amy Jenkins, USA documentary
• “Brian,” directed by Will Ropp, USA narrative
• “Frank & Louis,” directed by Petra Volpe, UK and Switzerland narrative; featured in Sundance Film Festival 2026
• “Next Life,” directed by Drake Doremus, UK narrative
• “Teeth to the Wind,” directed by Ben Knight and Drew Smith, USA documentary
• “The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony,” directed by Habiba Nosheen, Pakistan documentary
• “The Last Critic,” directed by Matty Wishnow, USA documentary
• “Zetjune,” directed by Alex Camilleri, Malta narrative

Tickets and festival passes are on sale now at parkcityfilm.org/festival.

Park City’s film scene gets a sequel: Inaugural Park City Film Festival slated for October