The annual Montclair Film Festival is opening this month in a new form because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival opens on Friday and features 100 films. The event typically draws thousands of movie fans to Montclair. But because of the pandemic, it will be take place differently. The films will either be held virtually or in a drive-in setting.

The drama "Nomadland" starring Frances McDormond opens the festival's drive-in which will be held at South Mountain Reservation in West Orange.

Tom Hall is the executive director of the festival, which was postponed from May. He says more filmmakers are becoming willing to participate in virtual screenings after reluctance early in the pandemic.

“There’s a lot of films out there looking for an audience in this moment,” Hall says. “They may break through, they may not. But we’re about finding those, curating them, discovering them and bringing them to an audience.”

Ticket buyers can choose from discussions and other virtual events, including a staged reading starring Stephen Colbert. Colbert’s wife, Evie Colbert, is president of the festival.

Ticket and schedule information can be found on the festival’s website.