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West Chester Film Festival

PA, United States

Festival overview

About West Chester Film Festival

Physical film festival in PA, United States with submission categories including Animation and Art/Experimental.

Join us April 23–25, 2027 for the 21st 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.

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.

Schedule

Important Dates

Call for Entries Opens
Aug 1, 2026
Final Submission Deadline
Jan 20, 2027
Notification Date
Feb 15, 2027
Festival Starts
Apr 23, 2027
Festival Ends
Apr 25, 2027
Eligibility

Rules & Eligibility

General Rules+
  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

  3. Paul Fitzpatrick People's 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.

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

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

  6. 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.

  7. Screening fees are not available.

  8. Entry fees are non-refundable.

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

  10. All submissions, payments and tracking will be done through the External submission platform system.

  11. We will not accept films with graphic violence, excessive foul language, or graphical

Current Categories, Deadlines & Fees

Category

Animation

Animated films are films which tell their story through a sequence of still images, usually drawn (using a computer or more traditional methods). Subject matter can vary widely from children's entertainment to more adult-themed fare. Entries must be under 30 minutes TRT, including credits. We will consider all films except those with graphic violence, excessive foul language, and graphically explicit sexual encounters. We prefer screening copies received online.

Current FeeUSD 30.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 30 minutes
Category

Art/Experimental

Art/Experimental films tell their story using artistic, innovative, or nontraditional methods. Plot lines can cover a wide array of topics, or be nearly non-existent. Entries must be under 30 minutes TRT, including credits. We will consider all films except those with graphic violence, excessive foul language, and graphically explicit sexual encounters. We prefer screening copies received online.

Current FeeUSD 30.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 30 minutes
Category

Comedy

Comedy films are generally live-action films with a humorous plot or premise. Entries must be under 30 minutes TRT, including credits. We will consider all films except those with graphic violence, excessive foul language, and graphically explicit sexual encounters. We prefer screening copies received online.

Current FeeUSD 30.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 30 minutes
Category

Documentary

Documentary Films can be live action, animated, or multimedia, and feature a subject matter detailing actual events or people. "Mockumentaries" should be submitted in the Comedy category. Entries must be under 30 minutes TRT, including credits. We will consider all films except those with graphic violence, excessive foul language, and graphically explicit sexual encounters. We prefer screening copies received online.

Current FeeUSD 30.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 30 minutes
Category

Drama

Films that are typically live-action, non-comedic, and follow straightforward narrative forms. Entries must be under 30 minutes TRT, including credits. We will consider all films except those with graphic violence, excessive foul language, and graphically explicit sexual encounters. We prefer screening copies received online.

Current FeeUSD 30.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 30 minutes
Category

Student Animation

Animated films are films which tell their story through a sequence of still images, usually drawn (using a computer or more traditional methods). Subject matter can vary widely from children's entertainment to more adult-themed fare. To qualify for the Student Filmmaker Categories, a filmmaker must be enrolled in Film School or undergraduate or postgraduate university, or have graduated in 2023. Films completed as thesis or class projects in 2022 and 2023 will be accepted, even if the student filmmaker has graduated. A copy of the Student I.D. as provided from the school is required with the submission. A scan of the ID can be emailed to, or a photocopy mailed to our address. ALWAYS include the name of your film and the entry number on all correspondence.

Current FeeUSD 25.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 30 minutes
Category

Student Documentary

Documentary Films can be live action, animated, or multimedia, and feature a subject matter detailing actual events or people. "Mockumentaries" should be submitted in the Comedy category. To qualify for the Student Filmmaker Categories, a filmmaker must be enrolled in Film School or undergraduate or postgraduate university, or have graduated in 2023. Films completed as thesis or class projects in 2022 and 2023 will be accepted, even if the student filmmaker has graduated. A copy of the Student I.D. as provided from the school is required with the submission. A scan of the ID can be emailed to, or a photocopy mailed to our address. ALWAYS include the name of your film and the entry number on all correspondence.

Current FeeUSD 25.00Early