After a successful inaugural year, the River Valley Film Festival is back for Year 2! The festival will take play July 17-19, 2026 at the AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11, in downtown Williamsport, PA. With over 800 attendees, engaging Q&As with the audience, and networking events for the filmmakers, the first year built a foundation of trust and professionalism for the River Valley Film Festival.

As a part of their mission, the River Valley Film Festival highlights Williamsport's rich history and culture. Introducing the filmmaking world to our beautiful city, and the history that has brought us to this moment. From the birthplace of Little League Baseball, to the once logging capital of the world. Williamsport's history is rich, literally, lauded as the home of the Millionaires, the city was residence to more millionaires that any other city in the world.

As we highlight the local community, we will also be highlighting the wonderful creations that the filmmakers bring to our city. Our audience proved that they are excited, engaged, and want to help the filmmakers get their stories out to the world. RVFF will also feature industry panels in year two, and more events to be announced!

Awards & Prizes

Grand Jury Awards
The Grand Jury Award recipients are selected by industry professionals who rate the films on a 5 point scale, with the film who receives the highest marks will receive the Grand Jury Award. The Grand Jury will award Best Narrative Short, Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Short, and Best Documentary Feature.

Audience Awards
The Audience Awards are voted on by the audience members on a 5 point scale, with the film who receives the highest marks will receive the Audience Award for their category. There will be an audience award for Narrative Short, Narrative Feature, Documentary Short, and Documentary Feature.

Millionaire Award
To highlight the rich history of the city of Williamsport, the film that receives the highest audience rating overall will also receive the Millionaire Award, to highlight their excellence across the entire festival.

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility & Categories
Film creation date: Works must be completed on or after January 1, 2023. If you have an older work you would like us to consider, please email submissions@RiverValleyFilmFestival.com
Runtime limits:
Shorts: up to 40 minutes (including credits)
Features: over 40 minutes (no maximum)

2. Language & Subtitles
We encourage diversity in our lineup and hope you submit your films with original dialogue in languages other than English. However, they must include legible, English subtitles to be considered for the festival.

3. Copyright & Legal
Filmmaker warrants they own or have licensed all rights, including music, imagery, releases, etc. Submitter bears full liability.
Film must not infringe on any copyrights, trademarks, privacy, or defamation rights.

4. Submission Materials
Films must be complete before the final deadline. We accept Works in Progress (WIP) and you can submit them at any point. Though we must have a final version for the screening committee by the final deadline, regardless of when the film was submitted. Also, please be sure we are aware that your film is a WIP so we don’t begin screening until it’s completed.

If selected, filmmakers must deliver final exhibition-quality DCP (2K) within the requested timeframe. Specific dates and projector specifications will be provided upon acceptance.

5. Fees & Refunds
Entry fees are non-refundable in all cases, including non-selection or filmmaker withdrawal.

6. Selection & Competition
Submission does not guarantee selection. Final selection decisions are determined by the selection committee and programming team alone. Appeal decisions are final.
Festival reserves the right to change dates, venue, program, or cancel due to force majeure, with notification via email or website.

7. Promotion & Usage Rights
By submitting, filmmakers grant RVFF a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to exhibit their film at the festival and promote the Festival using stills, trailers, posters, and other images provided by the submitter. These rights apply only to selected entries.
RVFF will not distribute or commercially exploit any submission beyond festival-related promotion, unless explicit permission is granted separately.

8. Filmmaker Obligations
Filmmaker must respond promptly to communication related to scheduling, technical delivery, travel, passes, and promotional materials by festival deadlines, or risk removal from screening.

9. Code of Conduct
RVFF maintains a safe, inclusive environment free of harassment. RVFF reserves the right to revoke invitations or screening status for any behavior deemed disrespectful or discriminatory, without refund.

10. Privacy & Data
RVFF will not sell submitter or filmmaker contact information to third parties. Submitting filmmakers will opt-in to receive Lycoming Arts newsletters but may unsubscribe at any time.

11. Liabilities & Indemnity
Filmmaker indemnifies RVFF and partners against any claims arising from a film’s content, public screening, or legal violations.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Scott Orris

    It was truly a great honor for my film to be the opening night screening of the River Valley Film Festival! Everybody was so nice, and we had a huge audience! Excellent Q & A afterwards!

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Max Wilhelm

    River Valley Film Festival had a great first outing. Cory and the team were very responsive and helpful in the lead up to the event. I would participate again and hope to see a broader selection of films next year including more categories such as music video (thought it was there this year), horror, experimental, etc

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Max! We hope to grow to offer more selections next year as well! We are definitely offering a Midnight category next year!
    -Team RVFF

  • Brian Hauser

    We had a great time at the inaugural RVFF. Cory and his team were welcoming and energetic and pulled off an excellent first year's program. Looking forward to more!

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Brian, we look forward to seeing you again next year!
    -Team RVFF

  • Joe Kwaczala

    This was the first year, and it was a good start. Cory, the director of the festival, is fantastic, and the audience was really engaged and had great questions.

    More than that, Williamsport is a gorgeous place, and I'd love to go back. It will be really exciting to see this festival grow in the next few years!

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the kind words Joe, it was a wonderful first year and hope you're able to join us in the future!
    Cory :)

  • Carlo Ayhllón

    Many thanks to the festival for their professionalism and support in the screening of my film. Excellent organization. Much success in the coming years.

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much, here's to the next year! We're excited to see the next innovative documentary you create!
    -Team RVFF