The Phoenix Film Festival’s 20th anniversary kicks off Nov. 12 — about eight months after it was supposed to open. It was, of course, shut down by the pandemic in the spring. As usual, the festival has a huge variety of movies. Fans of the festival will actually go to the theater to watch the films, instead of a digital from-home component that other events have tried. But there are some changes.

Science fiction explores numerous themes, but the two most common generally involve dystopia or utopia. An increasingly divided nation might have been in search of ideas that are more hopeful, but sci-fi has increasingly focused on the darker, edgier aspects. Best-selling author Cory Doctorow has decided to go the other way.

Jimmy Carter's presidency is probably best remembered for the Iran hostage situation and a gas shortage, and his post-presidency has been praised for his passion and activism on behalf of a number of causes. In the new book, 'His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life,' best-selling author Jonathan Alter covers Carter’s early days growing up on a farm all the way to the present.

The economy has been hit hard on all fronts this year as the pandemic has caused skyrocketing unemployment and upended many industries. But one relative success story within this is in the Phoenix film industry. Phoenix Film Commissioner Phil Bradstock said despite COVID-19, it was a big year for film in the city.

What role do the arts play in society? How do they respond to or shape our culture and current events? Those are the kinds of questions Deborah Cullinant thinks about, and will be bringing to a new position at ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

Arizona Theatre Company will bring live theater back to Tucson and Phoenix soon. Its artistic team is eyeing the new year for a new beginning. Arizona Theatre Company will limit patrons to approximately 25% of theater capacity for a January rollout in Tucson and a February premiere in Phoenix.

COVID-19 categorized grocery employees as essential as panicked consumers cleared store shelves. In his new book "The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket," Benjamin Lorr looks into what makes the whole system possible — pandemic or not.

An interview with part of the team that's bringing Arizona StoryFest back to the Valley on June 1. Plus before the show takes a summer hiatus, a talk with to Cynnita Agent, co-star of "Single Black Female," and David Hemphill, stage director.

It’s National Poetry Month, and we take “Word” on the road to Tucson to follow up on planting haiku in the city. We also visit the University of Arizona Poetry Center, home to one of the largest collections of poetry in the nation.