17th TCM Classic Film Festival to Open with ‘Barefoot in the Park,’ Tributes for Barbara Hershey, Paul Williams
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has announced programming highlights for the 17th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival, taking place April 30 through May 3, 2026 in the heart of Hollywood. This year’s theme, “The World Comes to Hollywood,” celebrates the fusion of global artistry and entrepreneurial vision that established the West Coast as the filmmaking capital of the world.
The festival opens Thursday, April 30, with a special Opening Night Gala presentation of Barefoot in the Park, the beloved romantic comedy directed by Gene Saks. Two-time Academy Award winner Jane Fonda will attend to introduce the film and honor her friend and co-star, the late Robert Redford, with a special tribute celebrating his extraordinary legacy and enduring impact on American film. The evening will recognize both the movie’s lasting charm and Redford’s remarkable career as an actor, filmmaker and cultural force.
The festival also recognizes individuals whose careers reflect both the international reach of film and the importance of preserving its history for future generations.
Turner Classic Movies pays tribute to its late host, Robert Osborne, with the Robert Osborne Award, presented annually to an individual whose work has helped preserve the cultural heritage of classic film. In 2026, the honor will be presented to Bruce Goldstein, Founding Repertory Artistic Director of New York’s Film Forum and founder of pioneering classics distributor Rialto Pictures. Through decades of repertory programming, including over 500 influential film series and retrospectives, restoration advocacy and the revitalization of international masterworks to American theaters, Goldstein has ensured that landmark films from around the world continue to inspire new audiences.
Goldstein will accept the 7th annual Robert Osborne Award at a ceremony preceding a screening of his selected film, Nights of Cabiria (1957), Federico Fellini’s Academy Award-winning masterpiece.
Continuing the celebration of artists whose work bridges cultures and generations, the festival will honor acclaimed actress Barbara Hershey, whose five-decade career spans American independent film and globally recognized productions. A Cannes Film Festival Best Actress winner and Emmy Award® recipient, Hershey is known for performances marked by emotional depth and fearless intelligence. She will appear in person for screenings of Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and A World Apart (1988), films that reflect Hollywood’s creative conversation with global storytelling and political realities.
The festival will also recognize Oscar®, Grammy Award® and Golden Globe award winning Hall of Fame songwriter, composer and performer Paul Williams, whose work has shaped the sound of modern classics. From his Academy Award® winning songwriting to enduring collaborations embraced by audiences worldwide, Williams’ career reflects Hollywood’s unmatched ability to create stories and songs that resonate across borders. He will attend presentations ofThe Muppet Movie (1979), featuring the Oscar®-nominated “Rainbow Connection,” and Ishtar (1987), Elaine May’s underappreciated studio-era comedy.
“Opening Night sets the tone for the entire Festival, and having Jane Fonda with us to honor her friend and co-star Robert Redford makes this year especially meaningful. Barefoot in the Park represents a pivotal moment in Hollywood history, and it’s a fitting way to begin our celebration,” said TCM Primetime Host and Official Host of the TCM Classic Film Festival Ben Mankiewicz. “From the presentation of the Robert Osborne Award and our tributes to remarkable artists across generations, the festival connects today’s audiences to Hollywood’s enduring legacy. This year’s theme, ‘The World Comes to Hollywood,’ reflects the global creativity and ambition that built the film capital of the world and continues to shape it today.”
Previously announced titles to be showcased at the 17th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival include:
- ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951) – 75TH anniversary world premiere restoration
- A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951) – 75TH anniversary presentation
- GASLIGHT (1944)
- OUT OF THE PAST (1947)
- MODERN TIMES (1936) – 90TH anniversary presentation
- THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951) – 75TH anniversary presentation
- THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960)
Additional programming, special guests and events will be announced in the coming weeks.
Passes for the 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival are currently on sale. For more information, visit TCM.com/Festival.
He is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, accredited by the Cannes Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and more, is a member of the International Cinephile Society (ICS), The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA), Critics Choice Association (CCA), San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) and the International Press Academy. Among his many achieved goals with AwardsWatch, he has given a platform to underrepresented writers and critics and supplied them with access to film festivals and the industry and calls the Bay Area his home where he lives with his husband and son.
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