Do film submissions need to be about Pottstown?
Entries do not need to be about Pottstown; however, we do have a special award for the most well-executed entry that places Pottstown at the center of the story or subject matter and an award for the entry that uses Pottstown as a setting and filming location. Read more about using Pottstown as your palette.
What do the best films win? Top Prizes
First Place Science Fiction - $250
Second Place Science Fiction - $100
First Place Fiction - $250
Second Place Fiction - $100
First Place Comedy/Satire - $250
Second Place Comedy/Satire - $100
First Place Documentary - $250
Second Place Documentary - $100
First Place Music Video or Spoken Word- $250
Second Place Music Video - $100
Special Awards
Best Picture - $500
Best Entry from a Filmmaker 18 years of Age and Under - $250
Pottstown On Location Award - $250
A Love Letter to Pottstown - $500
How is the festival judged?
A curation committee has established the rules and criteria for the Pottstown In Focus Short Film Festival and has developed diverse judging panels for each category. Each category will be judged on theme and content, technical excellence and narrative elements.
A good entry may be described by the following
Communicates a clear concept or theme communicated to the viewer
Develops or explores a concept over the course of the film
Evidence of planning narrative elements
Evidence of planning cinematography
Quality sound and staging planned and executed skillfully
What are the special awards? A Love Letter to Pottstown Award will be presented to the best entry which places Pottstown at the center of subject matter or setting. This entry engages the Greater Pottstown Region in a way that dwells upon its struggles, triumphs, passions, heartbreaks, and beauty. Entries for this award will be submitted to one of the existing 5 genre judging categories and designated for consideration of this special award on the entry form.
The Pottstown On Location Award will be presented to the best entry which films on location in The Borough of Pottstown or the Greater Pottstown Region. The Greater Pottstown regions includes West Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgrove, Lower Pottsgrove, North Coventry, and Douglass Township Montgomery.
How old is the Pottstown In Focus Short Film Festival?
This is the second year for the competition and the festival. Pottstown has a lot of great annual traditions and many of them have been around a long time. We are hopeful that the Pottstown In Focus Short Film Festival will generate new excitement with a larger group of people while actively involving multiple stakeholders in the area.
Where will the festival be held?
Thursday, Nov. 9
Montgomery County Community College, University Center
Kick off the festival with selectscreenings accompanied by live jazz, Sly Fox Beer, cocktails and of course popcorn!
5PM-7PM
Friday, Nov. 10 The Hill School
oin us for a special screening of last year's winning films "The Prodigy" and "Pine Tree".Stick around for a Q&A with the film's creators-Adam Evans, David Traverso and Maxwell Scott 6PM-8PM
Saturday, Nov. 11 Steel River Playhouse
Dress up and step out for an evening of art and entertainment. Enjoy the winning films on the big screen. Get your FREE TICKETS in advance at100 East High Street, Pottstown. 6PM-8PM
I have a business in town, how can I get involved?
We are hopeful that every business will embrace the Pottstown In Focus Short Film Festival by promoting the event and participating in the spirit of the festival! A film festival can be a great event for Pottstown and the more people and businesses that get involved the better it will be!
Questions about Pottstown In Focus Short Film Festival? Email us at films@pottstowninfocus.com or call 610-970-6515.
Thank you to our generous 2017 sponsors!
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Pottstown IN FOCUS Short Film Festival November 9-11, 2017
