ReadingFilmFEST celebrates the filmmaker!

This is the year four of the ReadingFilmFEST - the small festival with a big attitude! Dedicated to bringing filmmakers and film lovers together, the festival specializes in creating a filmmaker-centric festival, with free lodging for visiting filmmakers with films selected for the festival, marketing assistance, location tour, filmmaker focused panels and parties...lots of parties!

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.

ReadingFilmFEST is a production of the ReadingFilm office, which has a growing reputation as the filmmaker’s film commission, with its concierge-like service, providing diverse locations, easy access, and a supportive production environment to projects large and small. We nurture emerging filmmakers like no one else…because Reading Loves Film!

The student competition will include 2 categories: high school and college/university students. Students must be currently enrolled in high school or college to submit. Please upload a photo of your student ID for verification. Student films must be under 20 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
- 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 - College or High School Student
- Best Documentary Short - College or High School Student
- Best Music Video - College or High School Student

Rules & Terms

1. Film Entries must be submitted online by July 1, 2018
2. Films must be completed after January 1, 2017
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 will not accept any student film that it considers to be obscene or a careless promoter of malice, violence or hate.
9. ReadingFilmFEST does not grant fee waivers except for filmmakers from FAFT countries.
10. All fees are nonrefundable.

17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
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    Emma Jackson

    Thanks for including 'Conversations' in your festival

    February 2018
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    Luisa Novo

    The Reading FilmFest was on of the best experiences at a film festival I have had. The staff was great at communicating prior and during the festival; they offer lodging to the filmmakers, which is a great incentive to come if you live far away, and helps the networking amongst the people; and the films selected were amazing! The community actually attends the festival, so you have an interested audience to see your film and discuss it afterwards. I could not recommend it more highly!

    January 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Luisa! So glad you were able to join us and share your film with Reading!

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    Becky Barker

    I had a wonderful time showing my student thesis film We Are the Dead at this year’s festival! The staff were so helpful and gracious and the city welcoming.

    November 2017
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Becky! We were delighted to showcase your film at our StudentFEST. Can't wait to see what's next for you!

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    Mark Clauburg

    You will not find another festival that treats filmmakers this well! From the concierge service and hospitality package to the genuine and knowledgeable staff and amazing venues, ReadingFilmFEST was likely our best festival experience to date ... and we've been to many. We also met up with other amazing filmmakers at the many incredible networking events. Thank you Santo, Tracy, Melissa, Sue, Jayme, and the wonderful Karen for making us feel so welcomed. We hope to join you again!

    November 2017
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Mark! It was awesome having you and your crew at ReaingFilmFEST 2017. We hope to see you again soon with your next project!

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    Michael Wagner

    This festival was a revelation. What they've built in just three years is truly impressive. The thread of quality runs through every aspect of the event: organization, promotion, hospitality, venues, etc. The staff was incredibly warm, welcoming, and supportive. The audiences were clearly knowledgeable about film, and asked probing, insightful questions. My only disappointment was that our work schedules didn't allow us to participate in more of the activities. Next time, we plan on completely clearing those dates to fully enjoy all the great things this festival has to offer.

    As a Pennsylvania resident, I've noticed a growing arts and cultural revival happening in Reading, of which this festival is clearly a major leader. As a PA filmmaker, I'm excited about future opportunities to plug into the Reading area and its dynamic arts community.

    It's funny... The Reading FF deserves to be on the radar of every filmmaker, but a selfish part of me also wants to keep this jewel hidden for a little while longer. No doubt it won't be long before the secret gets out!

    Great job, I really look forward to coming back.

    November 2017
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Michael! We really enjoyed having you and your film at the 2017 ReadingFilmFEST! Prep Talk was big audience and jury favorite. Wishing you all possible success with your work, and hope to see you again soon. ~ Please don't keep us a secret!