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Join us for the 25th Anniversary of Black Bear Film Festival!

Black Bear has been welcoming filmmakers for over two decades to share their stories in the beautiful Delaware River town of Milford in the PA/NY/NJ tri-state area.

Inspired by a heritage of filmmaking in the area, the Board of Director's mission for this nonprofit organization is to promote and celebrate independent film, encouraging artistic expression and discussion. We offer filmmakers the opportunity to speak about their films and interact with audiences during Q&A sessions at the historic Milford Theater and Film Salons hosted at historic locations throughout the town of Milford, such as Grey Towers National Historic site and The Columns Museum.

The festival takes places this year on October 18, 19 & 20 with Opening Night on Friday, film screenings all day Saturday and Sunday.

AWARD CATAGORIES

Conservancy & Sustainability Award
*Given for a a film that promotes the beauty and conservation of our natural spaces

Casting Award
*Given for best acting ensemble.

Distinguished Performance In a Feature

Distinguished Performance in a Short

Best Student Film

*Chosen from a special presentation of student films featured at our film salon.

Best Main Stage Film

Best Short Film

Best International Short Film

Best Documentary Short Film

1.Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form. All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted.
2. Films must be submitted as an online streaming video via a participating submission platform (FilmFreeway), a password-protected streaming URL, or on BluRay DVD with NTSC formatting (please test before sending).
3. Films must be available for screening during the Black Bear Film Festival, October 18, 19 & 20, 2024
4. Films that have been submitted to BBFF in previous years are eligible to be resubmitted, provided they are eligible according to all of BBFF’s current rules.
5. Films with US distribution (obtained prior to being selected for BBFF screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for a special screening. Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month before the festival.
6. BBFF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entry, without a refund.

Originality and Permissions; INDEMNITY
Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.

Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. BBFF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.

Once an entry payment has been received we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed by an entrant for any reason, the entrant may be subject to any transaction fees or similar amounts incurred by BBFF in connection with the dispute.

BBFF explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by BBFF or by its volunteers.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Julien Allen

    Great communication and a lovely festival.

    December 2023
  • Kyle Klaus

    The Festival was amazing! I had two films that screened there this year - a short film as well as a feature that played in the main stage. The Milford Theatre is a great place to screen films, the venues were great, the people running the festival were very responsive and great to work with. Milford has so much to offer! Definitely will be submitting again!

    October 2023
  • Sumedh Jadhav

    The festival's communication was clear, prompt, and supportive, making the entire process from submission to screening a seamless and enjoyable journey. It's not often that you come across a team so passionate and efficient in their execution of such a significant event.

    October 2023
  • Wonderful! Everyone is super friendly. Was able to have my movie played on the big screen of an historic theater. Cute American history town!

    October 2023
  • Loring Murtha

    5 stars across the board! Everything was top notch and I can not recommend this highly enough to everyone. If you are a film maker I encourage you to submit and if you are a film fan looking for a little getaway in a beautiful town with amazing films I encourage you to attend.
    A truly special festival that I will absolutely be submitting to again.

    October 2023
    Bbff logo
    Response from festival:

    We truly appreciate your review and hope to see you next year!