Join us for the 26th Anniversary Celebration of FirstGlance Film Festival Philadelphia

Call for Entries Opens February 1st 2023
Our 26th Annual Film Festival will take place Fall 2023
October 5-8 2023 PFS Bourse Theaters
400 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

All selected films will be screened LIVE on a BIG SCREEN!

FirstGlance is Philadelphia's Independent Film Festival since 1996
Horror, SciFi, Fantasy, Drama, Comedy...Everything INDIE!

$500 CASH PRIZE in every category that reaches 100 entries!

One of the 100 TOP RATED Film Festivals on FilmFreeway over the last 5 years!

Tweet when you enter your film so we can share your news with our almost 50K Followers ALL Official Selections receive social media marketing unlike any film festival on EARTH!

Accepting All Genres including Drama, Comedy, Science Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Action and Thriller

FirstGlance is an all inclusive diverse event open to all genres, from filmmakers of every gender, color, race, ethnicity, country, religion and skill level.

First time filmmakers to Professionals, from down the street to across the globe!
INDIE FILMMAKERS WANTED!!
Features, Shorts, Documentary, Animation, Live Action, Web Series, Music Videos, Original Concept Trailers, Student Films

The 26th Annual FirstGlance Philadelphia Film Festival screens local and international professional, first time, and student filmmakers, celebrating the best in indie film making from across the globe and locally produced Philadelphia Filmmakers

Screenings, Red Carpet, Live Awards Presentation and Nominations in over 25 categories and Audience Choice in ALL Categories!

Over 20 nominating categories for Official Selections, plus Best of Audience awards for each category, and BEST OF FEST award winner selected by the audience.

FirstGlance Film Festivals are the longest running international bi-coastal indie film festivals in the United States. FirstGlance has theatrically screened over 2500 films to over 250,000 attendees.

FirstGlance Film Fests have a 99% track record with feature films over the past 10 years (Narrative and Documentary) acquiring Theatrical, Cable, VOD and Streaming Distribution.

Named 6 times as a Best Film Festival Investment by Moviemaker Magazine and named by Time Magazine as, "One of the Festivals for the Rest of Us" And Named One of FilmFreeway's Top 100 Film Festivals!

Due to the 2020/21 Pandemic and the loss of Physical events, revenue and business, we do no offer fee waivers.

Awards & Prizes

Best of Fest Award Winner prizes furnished by Red Giant, Boris FX, Showbiz Software, Glidecam, Final Draft, Jungle Software, Beachtek, Shot Lister, Ink Tip, Zacuto and more.

BONUS PRIZES: EVERY category that receives over 100 submissions, category winner will be awarded a $500 CASH PRIZE

Rules & Terms

Student entries must include copy of current semester bill and copy of student ID by email. All official selections will be notified of acceptance by E-mail. (Make sure your address is current) Accepted projects cannot be publicly exhibited in the Philadelphia area at any time within a one-month period (30 days) of the festival start date. If this occurs, FirstGlance has the right to refuse exhibition. After acceptance of projects, the entrant is free to publicize his/her work to any and all media she/he deems necessary. Please notify FirstGlance of any media support you receive. The undersigned entrant shall release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless FirstGlance Films, and its agents, respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, contractors, partners, sponsors, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including, without limitations, attorneys' fees). The undersigned entrant authorizes FirstGlance Film Festival, to promote the entry for any publicity purpose prior to, during, and after the competition. You agree to be bound by these guidelines and the decisions of the judges, which are final and binding in all respects and to waive any right to claim ambiguity in the contest or the rules. The signature of applicant constitutes that the entrants information is true and correct and agrees to all competition rules and guidelines. Disclaimer: If any categories submissions does not receive high enough scores from our screening committee, FirstGlance has the right to discontinue the category for a particular festival.
Filmmaker Requirement: A physical DCP will be required by the venue. All Official Selections agree to deliver a thumb drive or hard drive with a professionally authored DCP or will create one to deliver to FirstGlance for Theatrical screening.
46 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Marian Edmiston

    It was a wonderful experience to be a part of this festival! Thanks for the opportunity to screen my short film in a beautiful setting among such talented film makers.

    October 2022
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  • Harris Shore

    So grateful for FirstGkance Philadelphia selecting our award-winning short film, THE TRUST for this highly organized and prestigious festival. Thank you!

    October 2022
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  • Diane Lansing

    I was so impressed with this festival. I now truly understand what a filmmakers film festival means. The energy was on us! I loved the interviews and what a great way to reach more creatives. We won best Drama and Best Actor! Great networking, I made two new creative filmmaker friends. I highly recommend FirstGlance film festival.

    October 2022
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  • Nicholas Peetros

    I was honored to be a part of this top-notch film festival in 2022. FirstGlance is one of the best festivals I have been a part of and will definitely be submitting to them in the future. Great venues, great communication, great films, and great people. Highly recommended to any independent filmmaker looking for a high-quality festival.

    October 2022
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  • Marvin Glover

    I am so honored to be selected to participate in this festival.

    November 2021
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