An international festival of short films.

The Media Film Festival is a vibrant community forum for film lovers, dedicated to providing excellent film experiences for audiences and filmmakers alike. The Media Film Festival celebrates and promotes quality independent films to build greater appreciation of artists and filmmakers within our community.

Looking to submit a horror film to our Media Fright Fest? Visit us at https://filmfreeway.com/MediaFrightFest

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The Media Arts Council (MAC) of Media, Pennsylvania, held its first Film Festival in February, 2008. Since then, we've been honored to host hundreds of short films across in nearly every conceivable genre. Both first-time filmmakers and industry vets have a home here. Whether your film is local to Philadelphia, national, or international please consider submitting.

There are jury awards for best films. The Golden Trolley award goes to the best of show film as selected by the jury. Category awards include best documentary, best comedy, best drama, best animation, and best horror film.

A special award goes to the best local film.

Additionally, there are audience favorite awards based on audience votes from each screening.

1. ELIGIBILITY. This Contest is open to entrants ages 18 and over. All entry forms and all communications from entrants must be in the English language. Films submitted in any language other than English must have English sub-titles.

2. ENTRIES. All entries must be original works. Contestants may submit multiple entries in one or more categories. Use of any third party materials without both acknowledgement and written permission of the copyright owner, including but not limited to third-party prose, song lyrics, photography, or video, will result in disqualification.

3. SUBMISSION. As per FilmFreeway requirements. Films must also be available via download upon submission.

4. JUDGING. Entries will be judged based on artistic merit and technical excellence. The Media Arts Council reserves the right to use alternate judges if necessary. All judges’ decisions are final.

5. PUBLICATION AND LICENSE. By entering this Contest, in the event your film is chosen, you hereby grant to the Media Arts Council the right to use your name, likeness and film for promotion and/or advertising purposes in any manner and in any medium (including without limitation, radio broadcasts, newspapers and other publications and in television or film releases, slides, videotape, distribution over the Internet and picture data storage) which the Media Arts Council may deem appropriate.

6. FESTIVAL ATTENDANCE. Entrants are encouraged, but not required, to attend the festival. Entrants are responsible for all costs incurred to attend this festival. Entrants receive two free full fest passes to the film festival.

7. RELEASE. Entrant acknowledges that the Media Arts Council may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with this Contest. Entrant agrees to indemnify the Media Arts Council for all costs, damages, and attorneys fees resulting from any third party claims, including copyright infringement, arising from entrant’s participation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
I, the undersigned, acknowledge and affirm that, while Media Arts Council is a not-for-profit that works to further its mission to actively support local artists and integrate a wide range of arts into the life of the entire community, the scope of its mission does not include filmmaking and/or protection of copyright. I acknowledge and affirm that my participation with Media Arts Council is voluntary and is made with the understanding that I am acting as an individual who is independently responsible for my actions and the propriety of my film. In consideration for Media Arts Council permitting me (the undersigned) to participate with the Media Arts Council Film Festival, I agree to unconditionally and absolutely RELEASE, WAIVE, INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DISCHARGE Media Arts Council, its officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors assigns and volunteers (“Released Parties”) for any and all claims, expenses, damages (including injury to person or property or death), actions, and causes of action, of whatsoever kind or nature, whether caused by the negligence or gross negligence of the Released Parties, arising out of the undersigned’s participation with the Media Arts Council Film Festival. I also agree to indemnify the Released Parties against any and all claims, expenses, damages (including injury to person or property or death), actions, and causes of action, of whatsoever kind or nature, brought by and/or incurred by third parties, whether caused by the negligence or gross negligence of the Released Parties, arising out of the undersigned’s participation with the Media Arts Council Film Festival. In the event my film is chosen, I hereby grant to the Media Arts Council the right to use my name, likeness and film for promotion and/or advertising purposes in any manner and in any medium (including without limitation, radio broadcasts, newspapers and other publications and in television or film releases, slides, videotape, distribution over the Internet and picture data storage) which the Media Arts Council may deem appropriate. The undersigned acknowledges that the Media Arts Council may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with this Contest, and agrees to indemnify the Media Arts Council for all costs, damages, and attorneys fees resulting from any third party claims, including copyright infringement, arising from entrant’s participation. The undersigned agrees that any lawsuits arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be maintained only in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The undersigned agrees that the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall govern the use, interpretation and application of this Agreement. The undersigned acknowledges that this release, waiver and indemnification Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law, and that if any portion of the agreement is held to be invalid, it is agreed that the balance of the Agreement shall; notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. The undersigned further acknowledges that he/she has carefully read this Agreement and knows and understands its contents, and further knows and understands that by signing this Agreement he/she voluntarily gives up substantial rights and assumes all risks, and signs this Agreement as his/her own free act.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • David Jones

    The hospitality was great, and the venue was amazing. It was special sitting in a theater watching your work in a room of active participants. Great Festival!!!

    April 2024
  • Anthony Thorn

    My first film premiered at Media Film Festival and it was an amazing experience to remember! The Media Arts Council is very friendly and welcoming which was pleasant. A big thank you to Tamme and Claude! It was awesome to see my film on the big screen and being able to network with other film creatives in the area. I am looking forward to more festivals to come from the MAC :)

    April 2024
  • Jim deProphetis

    I'm so grateful my first self-produced short "The Setup" made its world premiere at the Media Film Festival! It screened amidst an eclectic selection of shorts from local to international filmmakers, including an impressive lineup by the students from the Media Arts Council Film Initiative. Tamme and Claude were very communicative leading up to the event, and then they and the rest of the Media Arts Council made you feel right at home once you arrived. There were great crowds, time to mingle with fellow filmmakers, and a gorgeous venue in the Media Theatre. The fest is really as friendly, warm, and as full of heart as Media, PA itself. Thanks to Tamme and the whole crew! Highly recommend.

    April 2024
  • A prestigious festival with a professional team, it was my honor to participate in the festival

    April 2024
  • Thanks for selecting "Enter the Room" into your festival! The organizers were incredibly friendly and accommodating and I felt very welcome at the event. The Townhouse is an awesome venue and the turnout was great. I've been to so many festivals that just have the filmmakers and their family/friends attending, so it was really refreshing to have a large audience not connected to the filmmakers at this event. The Q & A was handled very well and I was asked a question that I had never been asked before, which was awesome!

    This is one of the best film festivals experiences that I have had so far. Overall, I had a fantastic experience with Media Film Festival and will definitely be submitting future projects to this festival!

    April 2024