A film festival in Scranton will feature actor William Sadler, thanks to a New York City independent film company that plans to film and hire in the region.
Cardinal Flix Summer Film Series at the Scranton Art Haus begins Thursday, July 9, at 6 p.m. with a screening of “A Stage of Twilight,” followed by a panel discussion featuring Sadler.
“A Stage of Twilight” is a Cardinal Flix film with a cast that includes Sadler and Karen Allen, who played Marion Ravenwood in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” It is about a retired couple in their 70s facing the husband’s terminal diagnosis.
Sadler is better known as Heywood in “The Shawshank Redemption,” the Grim Reaper in the “Bill & Ted” franchise, and Colonel Stuart in “Die Hard 2.” He started his career on Broadway and has over 100 movie and television credits, including the “Star Trek” and Marvel franchises.
Tickets for the event are $11 through the Art Haus website.
Each evening of screenings will include talks and networking opportunities. Cardinal Flix plans to hire locally, including background actors, crew, locations and various services. “A Stage of Twilight” was written and directed by Cardinal Flix co-founder Sarah T. Schwab. She is also the writer and director of “Arachnophilia,” a thriller she will begin shooting locally in October.
Co-founder of New York-basead film production company Cardinal Flix and director of the film ‘Arachnophilia’ Sarah T. Schwab discusses her film to be shot in locations around Northeastern Pennsylvania during a press conference in A’tera 519 in downtown Scranton Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Co-founder and Executive Director of New York-based film production company Cardinal Flix Brian Long speaks about the film ‘Arachnophilia’ during a press conference at A’tera 519 in downtown Scranton Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Co-founder and director of New York-basead film production company Cardinal Flix Sarah T. Schwab, center left, discusses her film’ Arachnophilia’ to be shot in locations around Northeastern Pennsylvania during a press conference in A’tera 519 in downtown Scranton Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Seated with Schwab are, from left, Leslie Collins, executive director at Scranton Tomorrow, Anthony Bruno, production designer, Adam Spott, assistant to the director, Brian Long, co-founder and exedutive director of Cardinal Flix, John Basalyga, real estate developer and owner of JBAS Realty, John Pullo, president of Keystone College, and Amy Luyster, vice president of business and workforce development at the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Co-founder of New York-basead film production company Cardinal Flix and director of the film ‘Arachnophilia’ Sarah T. Schwab discusses her film to be shot in locations around Northeastern Pennsylvania during a press conference in A’tera 519 in downtown Scranton Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
There will be two other movies in the festival.
“Crybaby,” a suspense thriller about a pregnant teen and her family who move to the countryside, will be screened on Thursday, July 16.
“Life After You” is a drama that explores grief, healing and hope after loss. It will be shown on Thursday, July 23.
Both are at 6 p.m. at the Scranton Art Haus, 301 Lackawanna Ave., and priced at $11.
Cardinal Flix says “Arachnophilia” will be the first of four movies that will film here over four to five years.
A Cardinal Flix production interest form for those interested in acting or working on the project is posted on the “Arachnophilia” film social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/arachnophiliafilm/ https://www.facebook.com/ArachnophiliaFilm/
The role of the spider has already been cast. The Pet Zone in Pittston will provide three Mexican redknee tarantulas.