Philadelphia's ONLY Physical Indie Film Festival of 2020!!

Call for Entries Opens March 1st 2021
Our 24th Annual Film Festival will take place Oct 15-17 2021
at the Colonial Theatre Phoenixville PA

Discounted Earlybird Entry Fee in all short categories from March 1st-24th

We look forward to seeing you in PERSON...Finally!

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

$1000 CASH PRIZE in every category that reaches 200 entries!
One of the 100 TOP RATED Film Festivals on FilmFreeway

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 Drama, Comedy, Science Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Action and all genres.

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 24th 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 winners.

FirstGlance Film Festivals are the longest running international bi-coastal indie film festivals in the United States. FirstGlance has theatrically screened over 2000 films to over 190,000 attendees and has the most active Short Online Contest, having screened over 700 short films to over 200,000 online viewers and voters over the past 10 years.

FirstGlance Film Fests have a 98% track record with feature films (Narrative and Documentary) acquiring Theatrical, Cable, VOD and Streaming Distribution.

FirstGlance has a deal to license science fiction and horror shorts and webseries for an amazing online streaming network, offering filmmakers a non exclusive, cash up front short term licensing deal.

Named 5 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 Pandemic and the loss of events, revenue and business, we will not offer any fee waivers.

Awards & Prizes

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

BONUS PRIZES: EVERY category that receives over 200 submissions, category winner will be awarded a 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 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.
31 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nora Mariana

    What a fantastic festival! Wonderful lineup, great communications, and very welcoming organizers. They managed to put together an extraordinary festival even in the midst of a pandemic. I can't recommend this festival enough and very much hope we can experience it in person someday soon! -- Team ALINA

    November 2020
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  • Jill Frechie

    Experienced festival that ran smoothly without glitches. The films were excellent and grouped together by genre. So happy to be chosen to be apart of the festival. The location offered plenty of options for eating and drinking nearby in walking distance. The venue is a historic old theater. The weekend was a blast.

    November 2020
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  • Juanita Ingram

    This was a wonder experience and top notch organization.

    April 2020
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  • David Vincent Bobb

    I had a great time at this reputable Festival. Best Communication of any Festival I've been involved with.

    November 2019
    Helpful
  • Marco Kyris

    Just want to thank Bill and his team for executing a fine film fest. Though I couldn't make it, my short doc was screened there, and correspondence with First Glance team was quick and accommodating. Thanks guys.

    November 2019
    Helpful