ReadingFilmFEST (7)

Festival start: 30 September 2021      Festival end: 03 October 2021

ReadingFilmFEST created by filmmakers for filmmakers!

SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!

JUST ADDED - SCREENPLAY COMPETITION (see Rules & Terms for details and submission criteria).

ReadingFilmFEST is the small festival with a big attitude! We are dedicated to bringing filmmakers and film lovers together, creating a filmmaker-centric festival.

Due to Covid-19, ReadingFilmFEST presented its festival in 2020 at First Energy baseball stadium. That worked out so well, we plan to do it again, and conditions permitting, also return to an indoor theater experience. This year’s festival will be a true hybrid event, combining both virtual and in-person activities. Online screening of the films and talkbacks will be streamed in real-time with the option of viewing any time within the timeframe of the festival.

For filmmakers ready to make the trip to Reading, the festival will offer:
- complimentary lodging for filmmakers whose films have been accepted
- educational/discussion panels for filmmakers
- wonderful audiences
- live Q&A with audiences
Filmmakers not able to join us in person will be offered the opportunity to do their talkback with the audience via Zoom and streamed live.

ReadingFilmFEST is committed to gender parity with no less than 50% of our program directed, written, and/or produced by women. We are looking for the best films in all genres by Women Filmmakers. The festival also encourages filmmakers of color and Latino filmmakers to submit their work to help us create a truly diverse program.

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.

The student competition is open to both high school and college/university students. Students must be currently enrolled to submit. Please upload a photo of your student ID for verification. Student films must be under 15 minutes in length and may be of any genre including fiction and non-fiction films (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.

AWARDS
- Best Narrative Feature
- Best Documentary Feature
- Best Short Film
- Best Made in Reading Film
- Female Filmmaker Award
- Social Impact Award
- Best Actor in a Film
- Best Actress in a Film
- Best Use of Music in a Film
- Best Latino Film
- BEST SCREENPLAY

STUDENT AWARDS
- Best Narrative Short
- Best Documentary Short

1. Student filmmakers must submit proof of student status by uploading a photo of valid student ID.

2. 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.

3. Festival is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged entries.

4. Multiple entries are permissible, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry and fee.

5. 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.

6. ReadingFilmFEST does not grant fee waivers except for filmmakers from FAFT countries.

7. All fees are nonrefundable.