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.

A portion of proceeds and all sponsorships benefit the cultural programming of The Field Library. The PFF and its filmmakers strive to provide scholarship and and filmmaking opportunities for underprivileged filmmakers.

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: $15. Discounted weekend passes available
For up-to-date information, visit peekskillfilmfestival.org

Awards ceremony will take place at our legendary afterparty on Saturday, June 25th
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

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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Stephanie Schleicher

    Super fun, lighthearted festival in an epic theater, within walking distance of several great restaurants. Overall a great experience

    August 2023
  • A great competition. Loved it. Will enter again.

    July 2022
  • Truly a great honor for my film, "Beautiful Pain" to be screened here. Peekskill is such a nice town and the Paramount Theater is one of a kind. The organizers definitely know what they're doing and the whole experience felt very welcoming and professional.

    July 2022
  • Ethan Knecht

    Great Festival! Wonderful theater and Chris is responsive and deeply cares for the filmmakers and the Peekskill community.

    July 2022
  • This is a filmmakers festival. The best kind! The Peekskill Film Festival staff go above and beyond. They genuinely care about the art of filmmaking.
    The town and theatre were simply amazing.

    It was truly an honor to be selected. Would I submit again? Oh you bet!

    Thank you so much.

    Rent a Neighbor - Short Film
    Instagram #clammyjames

    June 2022