The Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival (PUFF) selects 95% of its micro, short films and music videos from its FilmFreeway submissions. The festival featured over 50 films and videos in 2023. More than just a "horror" film festival, each year PUFF includes a mix of genres including sci-fi, action, documentary, bizarre, drama and more. Local and international films of all genres are also welcome.

In 9 years PUFF has brought a diverse and eclectic selection of films, music videos and art to the the City of Brotherly Love. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit, founded and operated by disabled artists as an alternative film festival to bring new and undiscovered films to cinema fans in the region. PUFF offers an affordable and safe space for filmmakers and films that push boundaries and challenge conventions.

PUFF was founded to bring new films to cinema fans in Philadelphia. The festival has previously featured such notable entries as Terrifier, Tragedy Girls, Witch in the Window, All Jacked Up and Full of Worms, Antrum, and Karate Kill. We tout an excellent success rate for our selections, with most of our feature films receiving independent distribution.

PUFF works to connect upstart filmmakers with distribution outlets by working with local independent film distributors, and to offer a place for filmmakers to gain exposure and network with as many industry professionals as possible. Filmmakers are welcomed to participate in our digital screening library to spread awareness about their projects.

Festival Director Willy Keiper offers a long history of film festival and horror journalism experience, working with other film festivals in the past such as Another Hole in the Head, Buffalo Dreams and the Bay Area’s SiliCon.

All submitted films, screenplays and music videos will be viewed and selected by our team of jurors and core festival staff. Over the years our juries have consisted of a diverse mix of talented local artists, professional filmmakers, professors, actors and more.

PUFF's aim is to grow into a multimedia experience where people can enjoy our great city while experiencing the best in new cinema, art, books and more.

Awards & Prizes

Win the famous PUFF tiara for Best Feature and Best Short, plus awards and prizes for Best Local Film. Awards are chosen via weighted audience voting and a jury of industry professionals. Additional prizes to be announced when applicable.

BEST FEATURE AUDIENCE : Famous PUFF Tiara
BEST SHORT AUDIENCE: 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 official PUFF program, plus a cash prize.
BEST MUSIC VIDEO: PUFF Swag and bragging rights

2025 Jurors include: Brian Wadsworth (Editor on Emmy award winning television show), Veronica Kegel-Giglio (Author), Nichole Celauro (Author), Kristine Kennedy (Local Screenwriter).

Rules & Terms

An authorized representative of the project being submitted must agree via digital signature that the film being submitted does not break any laws, and that all necessary licenses, royalties, release forms have been obtained. By submitting to the Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival (PUFF) you are granting PUFF the right to screen any submitted Film twice (2) during the scheduled Festival dates. You are also granting the Festival permission to use footage, stills and/or titles, and information from or relating to the Film for promotional purposes.

Films already available on home video/streaming/online are not eligible.

New films that have recently had a festival screening in the city of Philadelphia are not eligible.

Films that have premiered before 2023 are not eligible.

If your film is accepted you must be capable of providing us with both a digital and physical copy for backup. Filmmakers are responsible for all shipping costs. Physical media submitted to the Festival will not be returned. There is a $15 service fee for any films PUFF has to burn to physical media. Payments can be made through PayPal or Venmo.

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

Subtitles must be presented on the film and not in a separate file.

Accepted films will also need to provide images, one-sheet and downloadable links or files for all available trailers. All trailers will be uploaded to the official Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival YouTube page.

Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival reserves the right to change any rules or scheduling. Venue is subject to change. All accepted entries will be notified of any changes.

Please make sure all physical copies mailed to the Festival are titled, and include running time plus contact information. Please provide a brief synopsis of your film, genre and if you're local when submitting.

55 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Hospitality
Networking
  • Jacob Farley

    Thanks to the team at PUFF for having me out for their 2024 festival! Loved showing my horror short "Fine Cuts" alongside such great shorts/features and incredibly talented filmmakers! I felt so welcomed into this community of filmgoers, and hope to make it back out for PUFF X!

    March 2025
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  • Clyde Santana

    The organizers were easy to get in contact with, they responded in a very professional manner, and my feature screenplay submission was judged as a finalist in the screenplay competition. Also, i plan to reenter again next year in the short screenplay competition and attend the upcoming 2025 festival.

    December 2024
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  • Mary Beth McAndrews

    Incredible vibes in a DIY space. Smart, weird programming with a group of film nerds who dig all things indie horror. A great place to submit micro-budget projects with a singular vision!

    October 2024
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  • Richard Thompson

    Thank you, PUFF, for selecting my animated short film M0D3RN T1M3Z!! I had planned to attend but had to head to North Carolina that week. Hope the event was a huge success.

    October 2024
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  • Tim Welfare

    Congratulations PUFF. Small festival - but run very well. From here in Australia - I loved the social media updates of the day to day running of event - everything with film updates - filmmakers talks to the hospitality. Congrats folks

    October 2024
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