Welcome to our fourth annual festival based in Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania. This is a unique opportunity for you to share your work with a wider audience and connect with other artists in the industry. Our festival celebrates the diversity and richness of storytelling through the medium of film. We encourage all local filmmakers to submit their work and be part of this exciting event. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your talent and be recognized for your hard work and dedication to the art of filmmaking.

What makes our festival one of a kind is the primary focus on local talent. All local short films (under 20 minutes) must be submitted by a filmmaker who lives or has filmed within 50 miles of The Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. They must have been created within the last five years.

We are continuing to open the entries to Pennsylvania students and also states which border Pennsylvania (New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland). Films must also be under 20 minutes and made within the last 5 years.

Route 22 Filmworks is a collaborative film production group located in the Lehigh Valley, PA, meeting monthly to review current and upcoming projects, network and share a passion for all things filmmaking. The group began in 2017 with three co-founders and has grown to include over 600 members. Our short independent films can be viewed on YouTube and other area film festivals, as well as our Facebook page. If you always wanted to be part of the film industry or just have an interest in film and live in or near the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, this is the place to be!

Please note, we will not be accepting films which have been shown previously at our festival.

Awards & Prizes

Best in Show
Best Screenplay
Best Student Film
Best Local Film
Best Performance
Audience choice- each block

Rules & Terms

Short films must have been created within the last 5 years, be under 20 minutes and be family friendly. Local films must have been created within 50 miles of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania or the filmmaker must live within 50 miles of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania as this is a local film festival.

Student films must be from Pennsylvania. Other submissions are welcome from: New York, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland.

By submitting your film for consideration to the Route 22 Filmworks Film Festival, you are authorizing the use of your work for promotional materials and exhibition at the film festival to be held on August 22, 2026. You affirm that you have the rights to your film and authorize Route 22 Filmworks to show the film in its entirety as well as excerpts for marketing purposes. Films created by minors must have the consent of a parent or guardian.

Submitters agree to release and hold harmless The Route 22 Filmworks Film Festival co-directors, volunteers, sponsors, and The Charles A. Brown Icehouse and its affiliates from any and all claims, liabilities, losses and damages for any reason. Route 22 Filmworks is not responsible for obtaining copyright, trademark, or releases for screening purposes.

The organizers may choose to accept one entry per filmmaker should more than one film by the same entity be submitted. This will allow for a fair representation of various artists in the local community. Films that have been shown previously at our festival will not be accepted and no refund will be given if resubmitted.

14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Desiree Zielinski

    And wonderful festival with a welcoming atmosphere and a great place to network with other filmmakers. Can't wait to see how much it continues to grow! I was so glad my film was able to show there.

    September 2025
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  • Adam Gorman

    They were very communicative and mailed the award to me. Easy to talk too! I feel bad that I couldn’t make it to the event but maybe next year!

    August 2025
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  • Aila Verheijke

    I wasn't able to physically attend the event, but I am extremely grateful to Route 22 Filmworks for selecting my short film to be part of their film festival. The communication with their team was amazing, and I was able to quickly get a response to any questions I had. Definitely would submit again!

    August 2025
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  • Sen3 Productions

    Amazing festival by people who actually care about films and filmmakers. Look forward to this one every year!

    August 2025
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  • Drew Broadhurst

    Unfortunately, I was not able to attend in person but the communication from this festival was top notch and deserves major kudos. I'm very glad we submitted.

    August 2025
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