The First Take Shorts Series serves as a regional film showcase focused on presenting short films created by skilled filmmakers from the local community. Our objective is to feature a varied selection of independently produced works by local artists, who range from students to seasoned professionals. This annual showcase aims to provide filmmakers with the chance to display their creations to a broad audience on the BIG screen.

Sponsored by Renew Theaters Inc., the films chosen for our 2025 showcase will be exhibited and advertised in three of our historic art house cinemas.

The Ambler Theater in Ambler, PA, and The County Theater in Doylestown, PA, will once again serve as the venues for this year's screenings. Additionally, beginning this year, the historic Garden Theatre in Princeton, NJ will join as a host location, enabling us to feature an even greater number of entries in this year's showcase.

Submissions will be accepted from December 19, 2025 until February 19, 2026.

Showcase screenings are planned for the subsequent dates and venues.
• April 8 – County Theater (Doylestown, PA)
• April 9 – Garden Theatre (Princeton, NJ)
• April 22 – Ambler Theater (Ambler, PA)

Each screening will present a distinct selection of short films. Filmmakers whose works have been chosen will receive notifications regarding the specific screening date and theater venue for their film. The choices for screenings and theaters are determined by factors such as the submitter's geographical location, thematic content, and film runtime.

Submission fees for the First Take Shorts Series are waived. However, we kindly request that filmmakers submit no more than two short films to our program. Any films submitted beyond the initial two will not be considered for the program.

Each screening of the First Take Shorts Series will be followed by a LIVE in-person Q&A with participating filmmakers in attendance. Additionally, there will be an awards ceremony after the Q&A.

Before submitting your film, please read our rules and terms section below.

The First Take Shorts Series is supported by a grant courtesy of the Vesta Fund.

Awards & Prizes

Each screening will award a Best in Series recipient for the following 3 categories.
• Student Filmmaker (High School & below)
• Emerging Filmmaker (College & University student)
• Indie Filmmaker (Local & Professional artist)

Rules & Terms

• Films must be no longer than twenty (20) minutes in length (including credits).

• There is a cap of only 2 films per submitter, any more than that limit will not be considered.

• Films must have a local connection to Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware such as filming location and setting, or the CURRENT residence of a cast and/or crew member.

• We accept all short-form narratives, documentaries, and experimental films. As well as animations and music videos.

• We ask that the link you provide in the submission form be either a FilmFreeway, YouTube, or Vimeo link.

• If your film is password protected, please make sure to provide that in the submission form as well.

• We won't accept any DVDs, Blu-rays, or Flash/Hard Drive submissions.

• If selected, we only accept playable MP4 or QuickTime files to include in our screening. Any other formats such as DCP, disc, or thumb drive will not be accepted. There are no exceptions to this rule.

• If selected, we ask that filmmakers send us the film materials by the requested due dates. Failure to do so will result in your film being pulled from our lineup.

• We will not accept any work prints or rough cuts. The version of your film you are submitting has to be the FINAL VERSION. There are no exceptions to this rule.

• If selected, we encourage filmmakers to attend our LIVE screenings.

• Filmmakers will be notified by email if they've been selected to participate in our screenings.

• The programmers of the First Take Shorts Series reserve the right to not screen any film that can be considered pornographic, or that depicts hardcore or graphic sex or violence.

• If you have any questions, please email us at firsttakeshortsseries@gmail.com
22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • David Esposito

    Awesome festival. Nice Q&A at the end!

    January 2026
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  • Tony McCall

    Ecstatic that "Hazy, Hot & Stupid" got to screen at the Ambler Theater's First Take Short Series this year! Being able to showcase my short film and connect with fellow filmmakers at my childhood movie theater is all that I could ask for. Had a wonderful experience!

    April 2025
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  • Joey Tangradi

    Such a great festival! Glad to have the chance to screen “LATE SEPTEMBER” at First Take this year. The whole event was spectacular!

    April 2025
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  • Michael Quinn

    A wonderful, small, thoughtful festival. The theater is immaculate and historical, the shorts were well-attended and well-curated. They could not, incidentally, have picked a group kinder, local filmmakers. A really lovely evening for enjoying art, meeting fellow artists, and meeting the audience in our home state.

    May 2024
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  • Ryan Hammaker

    The First Take Shorts Series was a lovely night of watching films. The theater in Doylestown is beautiful with a great block of short films. The sound and picture quality were spot on for my short and overall a great experience. I hope to attend again.

    May 2024
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