Since mid-December 2008, I heard that there was trouble between the Philadelphia Film Festival and its underwriting and promoting agencies, TLA Entertainment and Philadelphia Film Society. We heard that that one had stripped the other of computers and phones; that the latter wanted to go its own way. But we hear that every year. Now comes the BIG RUMOR — with a press release soon to follow — that the Philly Film Fest 2009 might not happen in March/April, due to each party's inability to come to contractual agreements about who will do what.

The last straw is that PFS, led by executive director Andrew Greenblat and co-board chairs Jack Adler and John Spatterford, wanted autonomy and to take creative control of the fest. We hear Raymond Murray, TLA president and PFS artistic director, rejected the contract, and now PFS might want to file a lawsuit against TLA to produce its own film festivals (Philadelphia Film Festival and Philadelphia Independent Gay and Lesbian Film Festival). Bitch bitch bitch. Stay tuned.

UPDATE [2:10 p.m.]: The latest word on a new festival — Murray's Philadelphia CineFest — after the jump.

After having heard the dick-swinging dilemmas between TLA Entertainment and Philadelphia Film Society — with the society's originator, TLA boss Raymond Murray, caught in between — you had to wonder where it'd all wind up. Here's the answer, at least according to Murray, who resigned his post as PFS artistic director last month — Murray's new Philadelphia CineFest.

The event, which will run from March 26 to April 6, will include Murray's usual crew — the likes of Jennifer Steinberg, Scott Johnston and the recently fired-Film Society doyen Thom Cardwell — on his team.

"I will give you the company line," laughs Murray. "There developed, between the board and leadership of the Film Society and TLA — specifically me — differences of opinion in regards to the artistic direction, size and management of the festivals, the Philadelphia Film Festival and the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.” Murray mentioned that the differences revolved around the fact that the board wanted to be more involved in Murray's programming choices. (Now remember we haven’t discussed this yet with the Philadelphia Film Society, so.)

Anyway, Murray really wasn't keen the situation. "I may seem passive," he says. "But I know exactly what I want to show, and I was unwilling to have involvement on that end. I was unwilling to bend. The board is there to support my vision." When you disagree with Murray, you disagree with that vision — "And [therefore] you replace me."

That's the gist. He formed the Philly Film Society in 2002. “I didn't feel like continuing that argument," says Murray. So he left.

Murray denies prior rumors that his TLA took computers and phones from the Film Society's office. "Their offices are on the same floor as TLA's. All their equipment is still there."

Are lawsuits pending? Murray doesn’t know. What he does know is that TLA will start/underwrite the Philadelphia CineFest (one word, big "F") with the films, artists and guests gathered for the Philadelphia Film Fest. "We're hoping the public doesn’t notice the change," he says. "All the same people who were with me before, including Thom Cardwell who got laid off recently by the Film Society, are with me now."

But the Film Society itself will notice the change. The TLA/CineFest folk have taken all the films intended for the March 2009 Philadephia Film Festival. That name, along with the "Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Festival" name, now belongs to the Film Society — but it probably won't get a festival together by March.

"The CineFest will have the size and focus of everything I've done for years," says Murray. "I don't like controversy, but ... "

Is the 2009 Philadelphia Film Festival in danger? Get ready for Philadephia CineFest in March.