John Waters to receive the 2024 Coolidge Award

The Coolidge Corner Theatre will honor legendary filmmaker, author, and visual artist John Waters with The Coolidge Award on Thursday, November 21, for his extraordinary contributions to cinema. Waters’s canon of high-shock-value, high-entertainment movies has cemented his position as the “Pope of Trash” and one of the most revered and subversive auteurs in American independent cinema.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of The Coolidge Award, which was launched in 2004 and recognizes a selected film artist whose work represents original and outstanding contributions to cinema.

“We can’t think of a more brilliant artist to celebrate for the Coolidge Award’s 20th anniversary than John Waters,” said Coolidge Program Director Mark Anastasio. “His movies have long been a staple of our programming, and his filmography remains one of the funniest, filthiest, and most subversive in cinema history.”

AN EVENING WITH JOHN WATERS

On Thursday evening, we will present Waters with The Coolidge Award after a conversation moderated by Jared Bowen, GBH’s Executive Arts Editor and Host of The Culture Show. 
more info & tickets

CECIL B. DEMENTED WITH JOHN WATERS Q&A

Earlier that day, Waters will introduce and participate in a Q&A following a screening of his 2000 Hollywood send-up Cecil B. Demented. 
more info & tickets

JOHN WATERS REPERTORY SERIES

To further honor Waters, the Coolidge has programmed a repertory series of his work including Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Desperate Living, and Pecker.
more info & tickets
 

This Week

  • Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, starring John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi, & Parker Posey. 

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  • A film by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, winners of the Best Director award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. 

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  • From boundary-pushing directors Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim.

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  • An audacious comedic fable about sex, marriage, and the absurdities of social convention.

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  • A film by Cristian Mungiu, winner of the 2026 Palme d’Or. 

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  • Harry Lehman is an aging pickpocket who plies his trade with diminishing returns in a drastically changed New York. 

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  • Sandra Hüller and Hanns Zischler star in the new film from Paweł Pawlikowski (My Summer of Love, Cold War, Ida)

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  • Screening a new 4K restoration of the film!

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  • David Lynch's startling debut feature is a lasting cult sensation influenced by the writings of Franz Kafka and Nikolai Gogol.

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  • Tonight, while the world is asleep... an ancient evil is about to awaken

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  • A federal agent is dead. A killer is loose. And the City of Angels is about to explode.

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  • Join Harry LaCoste as he wiggles, giggles, juggles, and jams with his sunshine-spreading sidekick, Good News Gus!

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  • Josh O’Connor leads the cast in this searing revival of Clifford Odets’ knockout American classic. 

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  • Before and after select screenings, gather with experienced instructors for a closer look at the film and its context.

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  • The ultimate underdog story behind the ultimate underdog movie.

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  • Martin McDonagh's Oscar nominated black comedy-drama starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.

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  • Directed by Academy Award winner Siân Heder (CODA) and based on true events.

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