Join us April 25–27, 2025 for the 19th West Chester Film Festival! Experience a full weekend of events, parties, pop-ups, workshops, and more in scenic West Chester, PA, just a short ride from Philadelphia.

Films will be shown at our main venue, the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center.
Short films, up to 30 minutes in length, by independent filmmakers from around the world are accepted. Submissions are juried by a panel of industry professionals and winners are chosen according to content, innovation, and technical execution.

The Fest weekend includes Filmmaker Workshops presented by filmmaking professionals, Meet & Greets, networking opportunities, and parties! Known as a Filmmaker Friendly Festival, it is a great way to join a community of filmmakers and celebrate a shared love of short film.

Custom-designed awards are presented in 9 different categories:
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Art/Experimental
Best Student Film
Best Pennsylvania Filmmaker
Best Woman Filmmaker
The H. Paul Fitzpatrick People's Choice Award

Winners of the above categories each receive a handmade award if present for the Awards Ceremony.

The winner of the Best Woman Filmmaker award is selected by the Regional Center for Women in the Arts. There is a cash prize provided by that organization.

2025 West Chester Film Festival Rules and Terms:

PLEASE INCLUDE FILM TITLE AND ENTRY NUMBER WITH ALL CORRESPONDENCE, INCLUDING ALL EMAIL. SCREENERS MUST BE UPLOADED DIRECTLY TO FILMFREEWAY. (4K PREFERRED, 1920 X 1080 MINIMUM)

1. A screening committee determines which films shall be exhibited; submissions are not guaranteed to be shown. All decisions of the committee are final. Except for the audience award, separate juries select festival winners.

2. The Award Categories are: Best Animation, Best Comedy, Best Documentary, Best Drama, Best Art/Experimental Film, Best Student Film, H. Paul Fitzpatrick Audience Choice Award, Pennsylvania Filmmaker, and Best Film by a Woman Filmmaker. Each award is an original glass statuette, except for the Best Film by a Woman Filmmaker which will be a prize donated by the Regional Center for Woman in the Arts. An awards ceremony will be held at the end of the festival weekend. Statuettes are only presented to filmmakers who are in attendance and will not be shipped.

3. Total running time must be 30 minutes or less, including credits. Do not include a header or countdown on any submissions.

4. Foreign language films must have English subtitles or contain minimal dialogue not necessary for understanding the film.

5. Please select only one category in which to submit your work. An entry's category may be changed at the discretion of the West Chester Film Festival.

6. Screening fees are not available.

7. Entry fees are non-refundable.

8. There is no limitation on when or where the short was produced.

9. Films previously submitted to the Festival will not be accepted.

10. All submissions, payments and tracking will be done through the FilmFreeway system.

11. We will not accept films with graphic violence, excessive foul language, or graphically explicit sexual encounters.

12. Do not submit works in progress. Incomplete films submitted with a script and a promise to be completed by the festival date will not be considered under any circumstances.

13. Commercial, industrial, instructional, or promotional films will not be accepted.

14. Student entries must include a copy of the Filmmaker's student ID card. A scan of the ID can be emailed to films@westchesterfilmfestival.com, or a photocopy snail-mailed to our address. ALWAYS include the name of your film and entry number on all correspondence.

15. To qualify for a Pennsylvania Filmmaker Award, the film entered must have been directed by a Pennsylvania resident. Proof of residency must be submitted with the film (copy of driver’s license). A scan of the license can be emailed to films@westchesterfilmfestival.com, or a photocopy snail-mailed to our address. ALWAYS include the name of your film and entry number on all correspondence.

16. Travel fees, hotel fees, and food vouchers are not available from the festival. The filmmaker liaison will be in contact regarding possible discounts for local establishments.

17. The number, dates, times, and locations of screenings of accepted films are at the discretion of the West Chester Film Festival.

18. Additional opportunities for screening accepted films may be available outside the scheduled Festival dates and venues without notification.

19. Applicants who do not follow the guidelines will not be accepted.

20. Applicants certify that all work provided is your own material, and that no part of the final film has been created, provided, or reviewed by ChatGPT or any other “AI” algorithm or service.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nathan Krachman

    Wonderful experience! Can't wait for our next visit.

    January 2025
  • Karina Loerchner

    Thank you for selecting and screening my film 'Nix's Symphony!' What an honor to have it screened at this festival. This is such a great concept; making a film festival a community event. Unfortunately I couldn't make it to this festival in person, but the amazing communication made me feel like I was still part of the event! I can't wait to enter my next film to next year's festival. I highly recommend this festival!

    July 2024
  • Jim deProphetis

    I had such a positive experience at the West Chester International Short Film Festival! From the jump, Amy Theorin was super responsive and helpful over email as the Filmmaker Liaison, and then Victoria Rose and the rest of the Executive Board and fleet of volunteers were incredibly welcoming to us all. So many parties and pop-ups and filmmaker events in the beautiful town of West Chester, PA, all culminating with the screenings at the gorgeous Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center. And there's such a lovely, palpable sense of hometown pride in the audiences. I look forward to returning!

    May 2024
  • Great event, and we're happy to have screened at such an amazing festival!

    May 2024
  • Emma Grosklos

    I can’t say enough positive things about this festival. I decided to attend last minute and I couldn’t be happier I did. The community of westchester really rallies behind their local events, and our screening had a full theater. I had a great time, and I sincerely hope to play again in the future!!

    May 2024