The Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival (PUFF): 5 Days of Underground, Unconventional, and Unforgettable Films!

PUFF selects 95% of its microfilms, short films, and music videos through FilmFreeway submissions. In 2025, the festival featured over 50 films and videos. More than just a horror film festival, PUFF showcases a mix of international, national, and local films, including sci-fi, action, documentary, bizarre, animation, and more.

Over the past 11 years, PUFF has brought a diverse and eclectic selection of films, music videos, and art to the City of Brotherly Love. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded and operated by disabled artists, PUFF serves as an alternative festival dedicated to presenting new and undiscovered films to cinema fans. We provide an affordable, safe, and welcoming space for filmmakers whose work pushes boundaries and challenges conventions.

PUFF was founded to introduce fresh films to Philadelphia audiences. The festival has previously featured notable entries such as Terrifier, T Blockers, Tinsman Road, Tragedy Girls, and Witch in the Window. We boast a high selection success rate, with numerous feature films going on to achieve distribution.

The festival connects emerging filmmakers with distribution outlets, collaborating with local independent distributors, and offers opportunities to network with industry professionals. Filmmakers are also invited to participate in our digital screening library to expand awareness of their projects.

The festival connects emerging filmmakers with distribution outlets, collaborating with local independent distributors, and offers opportunities to network with industry professionals. Filmmakers are also invited to participate in our digital screening library to expand awareness of their projects.

Festival Director Wil Keiper brings extensive experience in film festivals and horror journalism, having worked with events such as Another Hole in the Head, Buffalo Dreams, and the Bay Area’s SiliCon.

All submitted films, screenplays, and music videos are reviewed and selected by our team of jurors and core festival staff. Our juries have included a diverse mix of talented local artists, professional filmmakers, professors, actors, and other industry professionals.

PUFF aims to grow into a fully multimedia experience, allowing audiences to enjoy our vibrant city while experiencing the best in new cinema, art, books, and more.

Awards & Prizes

BEST FEATURE AUDIENCE : Famous PUFF Tiara
BEST SHORT AUDIENCE: Famous PUFF Tiara
BEST FEATURE JURY: Famous PUFF Tiara
BEST SHORT JURY: Famous PUFF Tiara
BEST MICRO SHORT: PUFF Swag
BEST LOCAL SHORT AUDIENCE: Local Gift Cards
BEST POSTER: PUFF Certificate
BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY: Official Best Screenplay Laurels, name and script listed in official PUFF program, plus a cash prize
BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY: Official Best Screenplay Laurels, name and script listed in the official PUFF program, plus a cash prize.

Due to shipping rates, physical prizes can't be shipped internationally.

Rules & Terms

An authorized representative of the submitting project must digitally sign to confirm that the film complies with all legal requirements, including proper licenses and royalties. Once a film is accepted and the confirmation letter is sent, the submitting party must confirm receipt of the acceptance within two days. After this confirmation, films cannot be withdrawn from the festival. By submitting to the Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival (PUFF), you grant PUFF the right to screen the film twice during the festival and permission to use footage, stills, titles, and related information for promotional purposes. Additionally, all required film assets must be submitted by July 23rd.

We do not accept released films, including those that have received a theatrical release or are available on home video, streaming platforms, or publicly online.

We do not accept films that have recently screened in the city of Philadelphia.

We do not accept fully AI-generated (artificial intelligence) films. While AI-assisted elements, such as special effects or graphics, are permissible, the core creative work must be human-generated.

We do not accept films that premiered prior to 2024.

We do not accept films that have been released theatrically, are available on home video, streaming platforms, or online. Films that have premiered before 2024 or have recently screened in Philadelphia are also not eligible.

All accepted films must provide digital images, a poster, and a trailer, and all trailers will be featured on PUFF’s official YouTube page.

Suggested film specs:

1920x1080 or 1280x720
16:9 Aspect Ratio
24FPS
Audio Sample 48 kHz
Stereo
Video Bit Rate, at least 5000 kbps
NTSC
.mp4 container
Apple ProRes 422 or codec of similar quality

PUFF reserves the right to amend rules or scheduling, and all accepted entries will be notified of any changes.
61 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lorraine Portman

    The Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival is well organized and very welcoming. Events for the filmmakers were lovely. Films play in a fabulous theater. Communication is solid. PUFF has a lovely audience who appreciates the well curated films. I am honored and thrilled our film played this festival and we hope to return.

    March 2026
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  • Mikheil Gabaidze

    t was a great honor for me and my team to have our film screened at your wonderful festival. We truly hope that the jury members, the organizers, and cinema lovers enjoyed watching it as much as we enjoyed creating it.

    We sincerely hope that your festival will become a bridge between us and lead to future collaborations and meetings at upcoming festivals.

    Wishing you continued success and inspiration in all your future editions.

    October 2025
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  • Spinning Real Films

    PUFF is a fantastic festival with a great crowd in attendance! With a diverse selection of films, it has something for everyone.

    October 2025
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  • Gordon Phillips

    Thanks PUFF team for including us in your fantastic program this year. The program looked phenomenal and we were so thrilled to show in Philly and have some of cast member's families be able to attend!

    One of the most dynamic lineups I've seen at a fest!

    October 2025
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  • Kent Green

    Thank you PUFF for including me in this year's festival!

    October 2025
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