2025 TCM Classic Film Festival opens with "Empire Strikes Back."

The 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival will begin on April 24 in Hollywood. The festival will open with a special screening of 'The Empire Strikes Back' to celebrate its 45th anniversary. George Lucas, the creator of the Star Wars series, will attend the event. Ben Mankiewicz, TCM’s primetime anchor, praised 'The Empire Strikes Back.' He compared it to 'The Godfather Part II' and said it expanded the Star Wars universe. He noted that the first Star Wars film in 1977 inspired many young people to become lifelong movie fans. Mankiewicz believes 'Empire' could be even better than its predecessor. The festival will run until April 27. Filmmaker George Stevens Jr. will receive the Robert Osborne Award for his work in preserving classic film culture. He will also present the Hollywood premiere of his documentary featuring his father, George Stevens, who won an Oscar. This year's festival themes include "Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film." It will feature various classic films, such as 'The Fabulous Baker Boys,' 'Babe,' and 'Spirited Away.' Notable film personalities, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Rita Moreno, and Leonard Maltin, will be part of the festival's events.