Film Society
The Horowitz Center is proud to continue the legacy of the Columbia Film Society, which has enriched Howard County with over 50 years of film screenings. Produced by Howard Community College, the subscription-based series offers patrons ten weekends of film showings on the big screen in Smith Theatre for just $35.
Join fellow cinema lovers for viewings of films that are no longer (or never were) available at commercial movie theatres, and get insight from HCC film faculty. Professor Marie Westhaver has curated an eclectic lineup of films for this season. We look forward to continuing the tradition of the Columbia Film Society, welcoming new subscribers as well as long-time members to enjoy the magic of cinema on campus!
New Showtimes for the 2026-2027 Season!
Fridays at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Venue: Smith Theatre
Subscribe anytime throughout the season - online, by phone, or in person.
Box Office: 443-518-1500
Wed-Fri 12-4 p.m.
Subscribe to the Columbia Film Society
.jpg)
The Life of Chuck
Friday, September 25 at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 26 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
What if the end of the world wasn't the end of the story? Based on a novella by Stephen King, this deeply human drama unfolds like a puzzle box, revealing a life one piece at a time. Funny, surprising, and unexpectedly moving.
Directed by Mike Flanagan, this imaginative adaptation of Stephen King's novella tells the story of Charles Krantz through a series of interconnected chapters that move backward through his life. Blending mystery, fantasy, and heartfelt drama, the film explores memory, mortality, and the extraordinary significance of ordinary lives. Praised for its emotional depth and inventive storytelling.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 111 min
Talking Pictures Discussion at the Central Branch of Howard County Library at 2:00 p.m. on October 6.
.jpg)
The Automat
Friday, October 16 at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 17 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
Before fast food, before Starbucks, there was the Automat. This charming documentary revisits the beloved self-service restaurants that once fed generations of Americans, offering a nostalgic look at a vanished piece of urban life and the people who cherished it.
Directed by Lisa Hurwitz, The Automat explores the rise and fall of the iconic Horn & Hardart restaurants through archival footage, cultural history, and interviews with figures including Mel Brooks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Colin Powell. Warm, engaging, and surprisingly moving, the film examines how a simple restaurant became a symbol of community, opportunity, and the changing American experience.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 79 min
Talking Pictures Discussion at the Central Branch of Howard County Library at
2:00 p.m. on October 20.
.jpg)
Rental Family
Friday, November 20 at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 21 at 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
Need a father? A daughter? A husband for the afternoon? In Japan, there's a business for that. This gentle and thought-provoking drama explores the families we inherit, the families we create, and the roles we play for one another.
Directed by Hikari, this heartfelt drama follows an American man who finds unexpected purpose working for a Japanese company that rents stand-in family members for weddings, funerals, and everyday life. Balancing humor and emotion, the film explores loneliness, belonging, and the surprising connections that emerge between strangers.
In English and Japanese with English subtitles.
Runtime: 109 min
Talking Pictures Discussion at the Central Branch of Howard County Library at
2:00 p.m. on November 24.
.jpg)
The Baltimorons
Friday, December 4 at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
Sometimes the best road trip is the one you never planned to take. Set against the quirky backdrop of Baltimore, this offbeat comedy finds humor, heart, and unexpected friendship in the most unlikely places.
Directed by Jay Duplass, this warm and eccentric comedy follows two strangers whose chance encounter turns into an unforgettable adventure through Baltimore during the holiday season. Filled with local color and understated charm, the film celebrates human connection, second chances, and the small moments that change us.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 98 min
Talking Pictures Discussion at the Central Branch of Howard County Library at
2:00 p.m. on December 8.
.jpg)
Midwinter Break
Friday, January 15 at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 16 at 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
A holiday meant to bring people together instead exposes the distance between them. Set against the beauty of a winter getaway, this witty and insightful drama examines marriage, family, and the stories we tell ourselves.
Directed by Polly Steele, this character-driven drama follows a long-married couple whose trip to Prague forces them to confront long-buried tensions and unexpected revelations. With humor and emotional honesty, the film explores aging, connection, and the possibility of renewal.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 90 min
Talking Pictures Discussion at the Central Branch of Howard County Library at
2:00 p.m. on January 19.
.jpg)
Eleanor the Great
Friday, February 12 at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 13 at 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
It's never too late to reinvent yourself. Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut introduces a heroine who proves that new friendships, new adventures, and new beginnings don't come with an expiration date.
Directed by Scarlett Johansson, this charming comedy-drama follows Eleanor, a spirited ninety-year-old woman who forms an unlikely friendship after relocating to New York City. Anchored by a remarkable lead performance, the film celebrates resilience, companionship, and the unexpected opportunities that arise later in life. This is the first of two movies selected this season that feature actress June Squibb.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 98 min
Talking Pictures Discussion at the Central Branch of Howard County Library at
2:00 p.m. on February 22.
.jpg)
Lost and Found in Cleveland
Friday, March 19 at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 at 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
Every city has its dreamers. This affectionate ensemble comedy shines a spotlight on ordinary people chasing extraordinary hopes, proving that life's biggest moments can happen far from the coasts.
Directed by Marisa Guterman and Keith Gerchak, this heartwarming comedy weaves together the stories of Cleveland residents whose lives intersect through a local television contest. Filled with humor and hometown pride, the film celebrates community, perseverance, and the power of believing in something bigger than yourself. This is the second of two movies selected this season that feature actress June Squibb.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 96 min
Talking Pictures Discussion at the Central Branch of Howard County Library at
2:00 p.m. on March 23.
.jpg)
No Other Choice
Friday, April 16 at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 17 at 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
How far would you go to keep your life from falling apart? This darkly comic thriller from acclaimed Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook turns economic anxiety into a suspenseful and deeply unsettling game of survival.
Directed by Park Chan-wook, this adaptation of Donald E. Westlake's novel follows a recently unemployed man whose increasingly desperate search for work takes a shocking turn. Combining sharp social commentary with the director's signature visual style, the film explores ambition, identity, and the pressures of modern life.
In Korean with English subtitles.
Runtime: 139 min
Talking Pictures Discussion at the Central Branch of Howard County Library at
2:00 p.m. on April 20.
.jpg)
Natchez
Friday, May 14 at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 15 at 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
History is never just about the past. Set in one of America's most storied Southern towns, this provocative documentary examines who gets to tell the story, who profits from it, and what happens when difficult truths refuse to stay buried.
Directed by Suzannah Herbert, this acclaimed documentary explores the tensions beneath the tourism industry in Natchez, Mississippi, where historic preservation, race, and collective memory collide. Through a rich cast of residents and local voices, the film offers a nuanced portrait of a community wrestling with its past and its future.
In English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 86 min
Talking Pictures Discussion at the Central Branch of Howard County Library at
2:00 p.m. on May 18.
.jpg)
The Day Iceland Stood Still
Friday, June 4 at 5:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 5 at 2:00 & 5:00 p.m.
We close our season with one of the most extraordinary stories of collective action ever recorded. For one remarkable day, nearly all of Iceland's women refused to work, changing the course of history.
Directed by Pamela Hogan and Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir, this inspiring documentary chronicles the 1975 Women's Day Off, when Icelandic women united in a nationwide strike to demand equality. Through archival footage and firsthand accounts, the film captures a pivotal moment that transformed a nation and continues to resonate around the world.
In Icelandic and English with English subtitles.
Runtime: 71 min
Talking Pictures Discussion at the Central Branch of Howard County Library at
2:00 p.m. on June 8.