The Mount Gretna International Film Festival (MtGIFF) will take place on August 15-16, 2026.
MtGIFF will coincide with Mount Gretna’s most celebrated event, the nationally ranked Outdoor Art Show. The festival will be held at the historic Mount Gretna Playhouse, an open-air theatre nestled in the wooded community that is Pennsylvania’s Chautauqua. The festival will include a kick-off event, screening of selected films, a presentation by an award-winning filmmaker, many festive networking opportunities, and an awards ceremony.
MtGIFF celebrates the proud history and beauty of Mount Gretna, and honors “The Greatest Life” of Michael Evan Deitzler, who lived fully and passionately, loving family, friends, film and all things Mt. Gretna. MtGIFF hopes to cultivate and spread the creativity of filmmakers from all over the world by means of coming together and celebrating film “Under the Trees of Old Chautauqua.”
Our audience is a diverse representation of the many communities of our region. We strongly encourage filmmakers representing diverse communities and backgrounds to submit.

Awards & Prizes

$1000 Winner of each category: Drama, Documentary, Comedy, Animation, Horror, and High School Filmmaker.

$1000 Best of the Festival: "Vita Maxima", The Greatest Life in honor of Michael Evan Deitzler

$1000 Hometown Spotlight for Lebanon and Lancaster County resident filmmakers.

Audience Choice recognition for each category

Craft Awards recognition (Irrespective of category):
-Best Direction
-Best Cinematography
-Best Writing
-Best Editing
-Best Sound Design
-Best Acting

Rules & Terms


Maximum run time for entries is 20 minutes. This includes title and credits, which are optional. In alignment with our commitment to accessibility, close captioning is encouraged. It is not required.

Creation Timeframe: films entered into the festival must have been produced during or after August 2024.

Entering Filmmakers must be 14 years of age or above.

Student rates are applicable to High School students. High School student category applies to the summer after graduation (2026). College students must apply as the Standard Fee.

To be considered for the High School entry awards, filmmakers must submit photo of a valid student ID within the submission process. To be considered for the High School film category, filmmakers must have produced the short film while they attended high school that was created during the creation timeframe. Students in the graduating class of 2026 who created short films in the spring of 2026 WILL be considered for the high school film category. Films that are eligible for the High School category awards will still be in consideration for the overall Drama, Horror, Comedy, Documentary, Animation and High School Awards.

Films in competition for the Lebanon and Lancaster County Hometown Spotlight Award must be made by filmmakers currently living in Lebanon or Lancaster County, Pa. Any film submitted to this category will be considered for other applicable categories.

There are no limits to the size of the crew.

Entries must have a genre designated by the filmmaker, (done within the entry process) and awards will be chosen with that designation in mind.
NOTE: It is ultimately up to the final discretion of the judges as to the specific genre that the short film will be judged.

Filmmakers have a maximum of TWO entries into the festival.

Copyright material is not permitted within short films. It is up to the individual filmmaker to ensure that all copyright guidelines are followed. Submitted films infringing on any creative rights will be disqualified.

Please submit in mp4 or mov format.

By applying, you agree to the use of your film by the Mount Gretna International Film Festival for promotional purposes. We will communicate with you if we do so.

Content Guidelines:
o   For the most part, entered films should follow a PG-13 rating.
o   Profanity is permitted as long as it is not gratuitous, hateful, or in poor taste.
o   Violence is permitted as long as it is not gratuitous and overtly gruesome.
o   Depiction of drugs and alcohol are permitted as long as it is not gratuitous.
o   Sexually explicit content is not permitted.

We aim to create a viewing experience that is not unnecessarily uncomfortable for the audience. We intend for the content guidelines to not overly restrict the creative freedom of the filmmakers, but if entered films are found to be blatantly offensive, they will not be considered for selection. All decisions made by the judges regarding adherence to the content guidelines are final.

In-person attendance at the film festival, especially by makers of films selected to be screened, is strongly encouraged.

6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • New Planet Film & Media

    Excellent festival. Generous and encouraging to filmmakers, brilliantly organised, great communication.

    August 2025
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  • Kara Herold

    This festival is awesome AND it comes with the added perk of an optional artist residency for filmmakers in beautiful Mt. Gretna. The hospitality is wonderful with events and parties that are filmmaker focused. Plus everyone is so friendly! The organizers truly put so much thought and love into producing this event. I highly recommend.

    August 2025
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  • Erik SOULLIARD

    This festival is all about the filmmaker. I highly recommend you attend if your film is accepted. They create an atmosphere that encourages you to connect with and network with other filmmakers. They even had a workshop with an Oscar-nominated filmmaker. This was a great festival experience!

    August 2025
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  • Michael Rich

    Awesome event. The staff really cares about the filmmakers and provided accommodations, multiple parties, a filmmaker lounge, and a breakfast with an Oscar-nominated director.

    For future selected filmmakers, I would highly recommend attending.

    August 2025
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  • Ryan Manuud

    Wow, what an experience. I am honored to have my film, "Standing Still" come in 2nd place in the Drama category, as well as win "Best Acting." I cannot believe this was the first year for the Mt GIFF because of how professional and well organized it was. Truly an original venue with so much to explore in the grander scale of the entire art show. Props to everyone who made this festival possible, you can tell lots of heart was put into it. Super excited to submit and attend next year!

    August 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Ryan! We were thrilled to have Standing Still as part of our inaugural festival and get to meet you on Sunday. Congratulations on your well deserved awards. We can’t wait to see what you do next!