Founded in 2015, the Peekskill Film Festival (PFF) screens a first-rate mix of features, shorts, documentaries, and animation. In addition to screening the best and brightest in indie film, the PFF hosts workshops with Emmy-Award winning artists and filmmakers, parties, panel discussions, and an entire day dedicated to student film -- all centered in the historic Hudson Valley Paramount Theater, a beautifully restored, 1,100 seat, 1930’s jewel located in the heart of Peekskill’s arts and restaurant district.

Come for a single movie, a day, or the whole weekend. We welcome you to Peekskill, our diverse and glorious Hudson River city, a thriving arts community just under an hour from NYC.

The PFF is pleased to showcase NY filmmakers in our "New York State of Mind" block on Saturday, where all films featured are proudly made in the Empire State.

Diverse voices from the world over are welcome. We especially encourage underrepresented voices, films, and subjects including women, POC, and the LGBTQ+ community.

The PFF and its filmmakers strive to provide scholarship and and filmmaking opportunities for underprivileged filmmakers.

This years festival is scheduled for July 24th & 25th. Dates are subject to change because of theater renovations

OUR CREDO: Through informative workshops, and networking opportunities, The PFF will facilitate educational and career-oriented programming for students of film and filmmakers. The festival hopes to introduce, involve and immerse youth from underserved communities to a world where they, too, can contribute and create.

Our Purpose:
Give up and coming filmmakers, writers, actors and producers a chance for their work to be shown in a festival setting,
Provide exposure to award- winning films and performers who reflect the diversity of the city of Peekskill,
Promote film literacy through workshops and lectures, providing participants a chance to see important, overlooked, and often excluded works of film.
Start dialogues. Create. Network!

Festival Specifics:
Tickets: $25
For up-to-date information, visit peekskillfilmfestival.org

Awards & Prizes

Awards ceremony will take place at our legendary afterparty
Awards include:
Best Feature
Best Short
Best Documentary
Best Student
Best Animation
Best Director
Best Cinematography
NY State of Mind Award
Best of Fest
Audience Favorite

Rules & Terms

The PFF does not require premiere screening rights; we also take no responsibility for stipulations of your distribution agreements or copyrights for prior television, film, internet or festival showings.

Legally, clearance for copyrighted material included in your film must be obtained before public screening. The PFF does not check for, nor take responsibility for the inclusion of uncleared materials in film submissions or selections. Filmmakers are responsible for securing festival clearance rights for music, stock footage or any other material, to avoid potential rights infringements.

In most cases we accept digital submissions ONLY. However, wee are happy to return your films with a self- addressed, stamped envelope with the appropriate postage. The PFF is in no way liable, nor responsible, for the return of your film.
40 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Peter Pavlakis

    Had a great time, and the film screened in a beautiful theater

    July 2025
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  • Dan Fried

    Extremely grateful to the folks at PFF for screening our film DRIVEN OUT! The event was well-curated and managed from beginning to end. The venue is absolutely stunning. One of those old theaters every filmmaker dreams of having their work shown in. The Q&A was equally robust and we were honored to have our film nominated for Best Short over 15 and Best Director! Hope to return again soon!

    July 2025
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  • Anthony Mulcahy

    My first short film and I was very fortunate to be selected at this amazing festival. Organized so well and the venue was beautiful. The Q&A was great after the screenings and the hosts/organizers were all so lovely. Highly recommend. Thank you for screening "Apartment 2C"

    July 2025
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  • Don Hessell & Alan LaFave

    The Peekskill Film Festival is one of those hidden gems that feels like a true celebration of both cinema and community. If you’re looking for an experience that’s intimate, welcoming, and full of passion for storytelling, this is the festival for you.

    What really makes the event stand out is the setting. Peekskill, New York, with its charming streets, historic vibe, and scenic Hudson River views, is the perfect backdrop for a film festival. It’s a town that immediately puts you at ease.......small enough that you feel connected, but vibrant enough to keep you entertained. Whether you’re grabbing a taco at one of the delicious taco restaurants, checking out the local galleries, or just taking a stroll by the river, Peekskill has a laid-back, welcoming vibe that sets the tone for the festival. It’s not the kind of place where you feel like an outsider; instead, you quickly feel like you’re part of something special. They truly attract a lot of like-minded people who are passionate about filmmaking.

    The Paramount Theater where the festival screens films adds to that charm. The venue itself is a beautiful piece of history, with its art deco design creating a perfect mix of nostalgia and comfort. There’s something about watching a film in a space that has so much character. The sound and video quality are everything filmmakers hope for when they attend a festival.

    Beyond just the films, though, the festival really shines because of its people. From the filmmakers to the volunteers, everyone involved seems to genuinely care about creating a meaningful experience for the audience. There’s a real sense of community here, and that welcoming spirit extends throughout the weekend. Filmmakers are more than happy to chat about their work, and there are plenty of opportunities for attendees to engage with the creators through Q&A sessions and casual conversations between screenings. It's vibe is very authentic.

    The programming itself is well-curated, with a diverse lineup that covers a range of genres and topics. There's something for everyone. It’s clear the festival organizers have an eye for quality and a passion for elevating voices that might not always get the spotlight at bigger festivals.

    In short, the Peekskill Film Festival is a perfect reflection of Peekskill itself: warm, welcoming, and full of heart. Whether you’re a film lover, a local, or just someone passing through, it’s an event that makes you feel like you’ve found something worth coming back for year after year. Christopher and his wonderful team of organizers are doing one helluva job, and we cannot thank them enough for including our film.

    July 2025
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  • Hudson River Against The Current

    The best. If you were to imagine the ideal local festival, human-scale, hosted by great people who care, at an amazing venue, it would look like Peekskill Film Festival.

    July 2025
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