Ari Aster Returns Home for Special “Eddington” Screening in Santa Fe
The Santa Fe Film Institute (SFFI), the nonprofit organization behind the Santa Fe International Film Festival (SFiFF), will host a special hometown screening of Ari Aster’s highly anticipated film Eddington on Friday, July 11, at the Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA) Santa Fe. The member-only event will feature a Q&A session with Aster, a Santa Fe native, following the screening.
Presented in partnership with A24, this early screening comes just one week before the film’s nationwide theatrical release on July 18. Eddington made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it received critical acclaim. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler in a powerful tale of political and personal tension set against the New Mexico landscape.
Set in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico, the story unfolds in May 2020, when a high-stakes standoff between a small-town sheriff (Phoenix) and the mayor (Pascal) ignites division and unrest in a tight-knit community. Shot on location in Santa Fe County, Truth or Consequences, and Albuquerque, Eddington is not only rooted in New Mexico’s scenery but also in its cultural atmosphere.
“This is a homecoming for Ari,” said Jacques Paisner, Artistic Director of the Santa Fe International Film Festival. “Not only is Ari Aster one of the most exciting new writer-directors, he comes from Santa Fe, so it’s apropos that we will have him here for this special screening. I was lucky to see the film in Cannes, and I can’t wait to see local audiences connect with this New Mexico-set modern western.”
Attendees will include members of the film’s cast and crew, along with supporters and patrons of the Santa Fe International Film Festival.
The screening underscores SFFI’s mission to support independent filmmaking and nurture local talent. As Ari Aster’s star continues to rise, this event marks a significant moment for Santa Fe’s film community, celebrating one of its own as he brings his latest vision home.
About Santa Fe Film Institute Santa Fe Film Institute (SFFI) is dedicated to the advancement of independent film and filmmaking, with a focus on supporting local youth and emerging creatives. Each October, SFFI presents the Santa Fe International Film Festival, a premier event showcasing global independent cinema.