Film Society of Lincoln Center hosted two special advance screenings this week of War Horse, Steven Spielberg’s new adaptation of the Tony Award-winning play and novel. Held just down the street from the play’s Lincoln Center home since last spring, the screenings also featured Q&As with stars from the film ahead of its opening on Christmas Day.

At one Q&A, presented by Moms and the City, two-time Oscar nominee Emily Watson discussed her part as the film’s sturdy matriarch and her off-screen role as the mother of two young children. At a later screening for Chairman’s Circle members, Watson joined co-star Toby Kebbell (Prince of Persia) to discuss working on the movie and what it’s like to get a call from Steven Spielberg. Watson said she was most struck by how Spielberg has a “complete compulsion to tell stories.”

Check out video from both Q&As below as well as exclusive photos from the Chairman's Circle event:

Photos by Godlis.