ReadingFilmFEST celebrates the filmmaker!

Voted by filmmakers as a 100 Top Reviewed Film Festival, ReadingFilmFEST is the small festival with a big attitude! Dedicated to bringing filmmakers and film lovers together, the festival specializes in creating a filmmaker-centric festival, offering free lodging for visiting filmmakers with films selected for the festival, marketing assistance, location tour, filmmaker focused panels and parties...lots of parties!

New for 2019! An award for Best Film by a Female Filmmaker. Looking for the best films in all genres by Women Filmmakers to highlight in our festival in November to honor the upcoming 100th year anniversary of the 19th Amendment! Get your submissions in soon!

The festival is juried by a panel of local film enthusiasts, with winners chosen by film professionals in each genre. Each film is viewed by at least 3 jurors, ensuring a fair process and high quality selections.

The student competition is open to both high school and college/university students. Students must be currently enrolled in to submit. Please upload a photo of your student ID for verification. Student films must be under 15 minutes in length and may be of any genre including narrative, documentary, animation or music video (note – films with graphic violence, sex and language may be disqualified). Existing or new projects by students will be accepted. Student films will be juried by the festival’s regular jury of film lovers and experts.

The festival will also include educational panels directed at professionals and students alike.

Submit today!

ReadingFilmFEST promises to be a weekend complete with interesting panels, fabulous parties, location tours, networking opportunities, and of course, great films!

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS
- Best Narrative Feature
- Best Documentary Feature
- Best Short Film
- Best Made in Reading Film
- Female Filmmaker Award
- Social Impact Award
- Best Actor in a Film
- Best Actress in a Film
- Best Use of Music in a Film
- Best Latino Film

STUDENT AWARDS
- Best Narrative Short
- Best Documentary Short
- Best Music Video

Rules & Terms

1. Film Entries must be submitted online by July 1, 2019
2. Films must be completed after January 1, 2018
3. Student filmmakers must submit proof of student status by uploading a photo of valid student ID.
4. All films selected for screening at the festival grant ReadingFilmFEST the right to use stills and excerpts of up to two minutes for promotional purposes.
5. Festival is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged entries.
6. Multiple entries are permissible, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate Entry and fee.
7. While ReadingFilmFEST does not restrict or censor the artistic content or style of any submission, the FEST does reserve the right to not accept for submission or honor with award any film that is perceived to promote a careless or malicious culture of hate, violence or obscenity.
8. ReadingFilmFEST does not grant fee waivers except for filmmakers from FAFT countries.
9. All fees are nonrefundable.

30 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • George Foster

    Just a wonderful experience. The hospitality was absolutely top notch and everyone involved was just a delight. Can;t wait for next year!

    December 2018
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  • Bruce Gorman

    Best festival I've ever been to! The staff was awesome, organized, and had the full support of the city behind them, which really seemed to make this festival experience stand out. I loved the star treatment given to us filmmakers, and the fact that every screening I attended had a packed audience who was fully engaged with the films and the filmmakers. Reading is definitely a city that cares about independent film, and I highly recommend this festival!

    December 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Bruce! Our audience certainly loved The Clown! Wishing you all the best with your film and hope to see you back with your next project!

  • Rachael Magill

    What a warm welcome in Reading! This is definitely a filmmaker's festival! Can't wait to submit our latest project for next year!

    November 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Can't wait to see it Rachael! Best of luck to you and your team!

  • Lucas Bell

    The Reading Film Festival far exceeded our expectations! Not only was it exceptionally welcoming to filmmakers (including provided lodging), but the venues were gorgeous, the audiences lovely, and the networking and special events well planned in the most creative spaces. Tracy and her staff are the best! They went above-and-beyond to make the weekend shine for everyone in attendance and we’re honored that our film, Live The Stream: The Story of Joe Humphreys won Best Documentary and the Audience Award at such a special festival. If you’re considering RFF as part of your festival circuit - submit! - Lucas and Meigan Bell, Directors www.facebook.com/livethestreamfilm

    November 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Congrats to you and Meigan on your awards! It was wonderful to have you, Joe and your team at ReadingFilmFEST!

  • Laurent Caujat

    Sélectionné, Je n'ai pas pu aller à Reading. Je le regrette vraiment. J'ai suivi le festival par l'intermédiaire des réseaux sociaux et cela a renforcé mon envie d'être avec eux. Ils ont parfaitement pris soin de mon film et l'ont mis merveilleusement bien en valeur. Ils ont toujours pris soin de répondre à toutes mes demandes. Et même à distance ce fût une très bonne expérience. De celles qui vous donne énergie et courage. Grand Merci à toute l'équipe du Reading FilmFest.

    November 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Merci Laurent de partager ton beau film avec nous. Nous espérons vous voir à Reading avec votre prochain projet! Best of luck to you with Beating Heart!