19th West Chester Film Festival

The West Chester Film Festival rolls out the red carpet again! From April 25–27, over 60 short films will be shown in venues around the Borough. This year’s lineup includes 15 Oscar-nominated/short-listed films, local favorites, moving documentaries and much more.

“After receiving a record number of submissions, our screeners had a difficult job!” said Sarah Beck, President of the festival. “This year includes our best lineup ever, with exciting new opportunities for both filmmakers and audiences.”

The festival weekend includes two-hour film blocks, showcasing films in all genres, along with Pop-Up Blocks, Filmmaker Workshops, a Meet & Greet with Filmmaking Panel, the Young Filmmaker Festival, and the fabulous Opening and Closing Night Parties bookending the weekend. Audiences can meet filmmakers throughout the weekend, getting unique insight into the stories being told and offscreen tales.

“The festival is a unique opportunity to see new films, make new friends and have new experiences,” said Renee McGusty, Vice President and Young Filmmaker Coordinator. “It’s so great that in a small town like West Chester, you can see films by local filmmakers in the same setting as Oscar-nominated shorts.”

This is the 19th West Chester Film Festival, an extraordinary achievement for the entirely volunteer-run nonprofit event. After their most successful year ever in 2024, they’re expanding their efforts in bringing this world-class event to the community.

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center serves as the main venue for the festival, showing all main film blocks as well as hosting the Opening Night Party, Young Filmmaker Festival and Closing Night Awards Party. “We’re excited to partner with the Hotel Indigo this year, which will serve as a home base for our filmmakers and host one of our Filmmaker Workshops,” said Amy Theorin, Filmmaker Coordinator. Other events will be held around downtown West Chester. (The full schedule is on the website.)

The West Chester Film Festival is more than just films — it’s a chance to be part of the celebration. “Films have a way of bringing people together,” said McGusty. “That’s what I believe our festival is all about.”

IF YOU GO:

When: April 25–27, 2025

Where: Main venue at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, 226 N. High St., plus other venues in downtown West Chester

Tickets & Info: WestChesterFilmFestival.com; @WCFilmFestival