BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Grab the popcorn and support local student filmmakers.
The Route 22 Filmworks Film Festival is returning.
The festival, now in its third year, will take place from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday in the Charles A. Brown Ice House.
The nine-hour festival will screen 39 short films, including works by student filmmakers from DeSales University, Penn State University, Muhlenberg College and West Chester University.
“These are people who do it for the love of making films. They’re telling stories with no money but an incredible amount of talent and drive."Route 22 Filmworks Film Festival Founder Michael Sheridan
The festival was founded in 2017 by local creatives Michael Sheridan, Vincent Stahl and Dawn Daignault as a way to showcase local talent.
In years past, the community-driven film festival accepted only short films — no longer than 20 minutes — by filmmakers who live in or filmed within 50 miles of the Lehigh Valley.
As an effort to diversify its lineup, this year, it welcomed entries from Pennsylvania students from neighboring states, including New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Ohio and Maryland.
The film festival's group (there are currently more than 600 members) meets monthly online to review film projects and network.
All films must be produced within the past five years and be family-friendly.
“These are people who do it for the love of making films,” Sheridan said of the cinematographers. “They’re telling stories with no money but an incredible amount of talent and drive.”
Student-led films, awards ceremony
Among the featured shorts by local students is “Magical First Amendment," directed by Easton-based middle school student Niya Torres.
It explores the importance of the First Amendment.
"Uphill Battle," a short directed by DeSales University, Freedom High School and Bethlehem Area Vocational Tech School alum Ethan Hillel Baron, tells the story of a university student who contemplates quitting school because of stress.
Another short and eerie flick, "Widow's Walk," by Seton Hall University graduate Blaise Cauvin, tells the story of a man "struggling to navigate life encounters" when a ghost begins speaking to him in his dreams.
The last film, “The Resonance," is a nearly 14-minute super horror short directed by New York City-based filmmakers Sashia Dumont and Paul Robinson.
Beginning at noon, the films will be divided into four blocks lasting 90 minutes each.
Audience members also can vote for their favorite flick after each 90-minute block.
After "Resonance," an awards ceremony will celebrate the best in the festival in four categories — "Best in Show," "Best Documentary," "Best Screenplay" and "Best Student Film."
The Route 22 Filmworks Film Festival, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, Charles A. Brown Ice House, 56 River St., Bethlehem. Tickets, at $10 for a block of films and all-access pass $25, available at the Route 22 Filmworks Film Festival.
