PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The 35th Philadelphia Film Festival kicks off on October 15, with more than 100 films over 11 days.
In the “Filmadelphia” category, there’s a movie that’s coming home in a very emotional way.
It’s called “Yale,” and it’s a family story from a Philly native who is living out his dream of bringing this film to the big screen and the home crowd.
“One of the things I was adamant about when I sold the script was that this film had to stay in Philadelphia,” says screenwriter Van Billet.
For Billet, this is very personal.
“Yale” is the painful, complicated, even humorous story of his grandfather, and the critical moment his mother was forced to reconnect with him.
“He was a comedian at a burlesque club,” says Billet. “He was a bizarre person. He was a sociopath, but at the same time, he was very charming. But he did so many bad things in his life that it was hard to forgive him. My mother never forgave him.”
Kevin Dunn, who is also currently shooting the series “Task” here in town, stars as Yale.
“I was just blown away by it,” says Dunn. “I had to be convinced that it was real.”
Billet was born and raised, and educated, here in Philadelphia. He finally chased his dream of becoming a screenwriter at the age of 52.
His grandfather’s story was one he always wanted to tell.
“I think he would not like this film because it brings all of his warts out in front, but I think he was such a narcissist that he would have watched it 100 times,” says Billet.
Billet says the Philadelphia premiere will be “a dream come true.”
“This film was never leaving Philadelphia,” says Billet. “I’m a Philadelphian. I’m proud of being from here, and I’m proud of the whole film.”
“Yale” has two screenings during the Philadelphia Film Festival:
Screening 1:
Friday, October 16, 2026
7:30 PM
PFS East
Screening 2:
Saturday, October 24, 2026
5:15 PM
Philadelphia Film Society Center
To see the full film festival lineup, visit: Filmadelphia.org.
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