STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Longtime Sun Valley homeowner and box office heavyweight Arnold Schwarzenegger will head up the Sun Valley Film Festival’s popular Coffee Talks this week. And Cedric the Entertainer will be among hose fielding questions when the Sun Valley Film Festival screens “Above the Line,”

The Sun Valley Film Festival debuts in its new time of Dec. 3-7 this week.

It leads off with a SVFF Kickoff Party with George Prentice presented by Boise State Public Radio at 3 p.m. at The Argyros. And it concludes on Sunday, with the movie “Is This Thing On?”--a film starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern as a couple whose marriage is unraveling--at 7:30 at the Argyros.

Here are a few quick hits. For more details, go to https://sunvalleyfilmfestival.org/.

COFFEE TALKS

Free Coffee Talks are held 9 a.m. Friday-Sunday at The Argyros in Ketchum.

Friday, Dec. 5: Gus Van Sant, director of such films as “My Own Private Idaho” and “Good Will Hunting”

Saturday, Dec. 6—Arnold Schwarenegger, who starred in “The Terminator,” “True Lies” and “Total Recall.”

Sunday, Dec. 7—Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedarthe, the filmmakers behind “Sing Sing,” “Train Dreams” and “Jockey.”

PARTY ON

The Filmmaker Roundup at 9 p.m. Thursday at The Casino is open to the public. SVFF passholders get priority entrance and complimentary Stella Artois.

Other parties, open to passholders only, kick off at 10 p.m. Friday at Grumpy’s, followed by the Awards Bash at 9 p.m. Saturday at Whiskey’s with music by the Los Angeles pop duo Haute and Freddy, and the Bloody Mary Wrap Party at 11 a.m. Sunday at Festival Headquarters.

A SAMPLING OF FILMS

“Train Dreams,” based on Denis Johnson’s novella about a logger and railroad worker who leads a life of beauty in the rapidly changing America of the early 20th century, screens at 5 pm Saturday at The Argyros. Q&A

“The Brotherhood,” a look at the National Brotherhood of Snowsports—the first all-Black ski group, screens at 7 p.m. Wednesday.Q&A

“Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul” traces Allman’s journey from a childhood scarred by his father’s murder to the heights of Southern rock in a movie that explores grief, addiction love and the racially charged American South. Screens 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Sun Valley Opera House. Q&A

“Folktales” is Oscar-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s life-affirming film about teenagers at a traditional folk school in Arctic Norway—and their loyal pack of sled dogs. 2 p.m. Sunday at The Argyros. Q&A

“Above the Line” follows six Hollywood hopefuls who get an opportunity to steal the Best Picture award from a producer that screwed them over. 2:15 p.m. Saturday at The Argyros. Q&A

“Ask E. Jean” depicts the adventurous life of advice columnist and gonzo journalist E. Jean Carroll, who beat Trum p in court. Twice. 11:45 a.m. Saturday at The Sun Valley Opera House Q&A

PANELS

Generative AI and the Future of Filmmaking will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Limelight Hotel.

TICKETS AND PASSES

Passes range from $75 for students to $3,750 for patron passes. Individual film tickets are $20, available online at the Box Office at the Argyros.