Starting in 2025, the FilmNOW Festival will be ending its 10 year run as a festival. Our 2024 edition was our final showcase. We would like to thank Germantown Academy for launching this program back in 2015 along with the Vesta Fund for supporting the festival all of these years. Plus a big shout out to the Ambler Theater for being wonderful hosts of this festival year in and year out.

With that being said, we are excited to announce that a separate short film showcase that is sponsored by the Vesta Fund will be getting a makeover. The FIRST TAKE SHORTS SERIES is a local filmmaker showcase that allows professionals, university level, and high school level filmmakers to have their films shown on the big screen! With 3 separate screenings taking place at the Ambler Theater, County Theater, and Princeton Garden Theatre. Filmmakers selected to this program will be eligible for cash prizes. We have $300 cash prizes for Best Overall Independent, University, and High School films at each of our screenings.

The First Take will continue FilmNOW's tradition of showcasing the best local high school films. If you know a student who would like to submit, please forward this information along to them. Entering a film is FREE and you may submit up to 2 films per student. More information head over to filmfreeway.com/firsttake

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Max Benner

    Loved every second of it. Please apply.

    May 2024
  • Grace Conley

    An incredible festival that truly values young filmmakers and makes them feel seen.

    May 2020