POTTSTOWN PA – Audiences should prepare to be immersed in filmed glory Thursday through Sunday (Oct. 3-6, 2024). That’s when the magic of cinema is slated to return to the borough, in the 2024 Pottstown Film Festival.
The second annual festival is set to debut with what promoters say is an opening-night networking party, strolls along a red carpet, and special screening of “Firebird: Built to Burn.” Its closing event features music, an awards presentation, and appearances by special guests.
The four-day event – again organized by borough native and entrepreneur Kyle Klaus – will be held at Rivet: Canteen & Assembly, 238 E. High St. It also presents question-and-answer sessions, VIP access, after-parties, and other activities. For film-makers, aspiring actors, or those who just love cinema, Klaus suggests, the festival offers something of interest for all.
As festival founder and director, Klaus says he is “bringing a passion for film” back to his hometown. He’s held roles so far as an actor, producer, and writer, and worked on popular television series like “FBI,” “Blacklist,” “Homeland,” and “The Last O.G.”
Promoting Pottstown among its benefits
Klaus is helping to promote Pottstown as a result.
The borough, he notes, “offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and urban accessibility. Pennsylvania’s breathtaking fall scenery” serves as a backdrop for the festival, he says. Thanks to Rivet’s downtown location, those attending the festival also gain “easy access to … dining options, bars, breweries, coffee shops, and scenic attractions.”
That’s likely to be important to out-of-town audiences the festival hopes to attract, with Pottstown “just two hours from New York City, and an hour from Philly,” he adds.
Ultimately, Klaus indicates, his goal is to “inspire the next generation of storytellers and contribute to the town’s cultural resurgence.” He believes that’s possible “by bringing a taste of Hollywood and New York City’s entertainment industry” to the borough, “where dreams can flourish and new possibilities can be imagined.”
Four days of screenings and activities
Here’s the schedule of Pottstown Film Festival events, as announced on Eventbrite. Costs vary by screenings. The festival’s Facebook page reports they range from $15 to $150.
- Doors open at Rivet, and red carpet arrivals from 6-7 p.m.;
- Screening of “Firebird: Built to Burn,” directed by Colleen C. Brady, from 7-8:30 p.m. “In a recently revitalized Philadelphia suburb, a tight-knit community gathers every December to ignite a giant wood phoenix, rekindling their rustbelt spirit and fueling the passion of local artists;”
- A question-and-answer session with the film-maker, from 8:30-9 p.m.; and
- An after-party at Rivet, from 9-10 p.m.
- Screening of “The Premiere,” directed by Jon Silver, from 1:30-3 p.m. “On the night of his first movie premiere, Jacob Sanders is hounded by mounting issues. Jacob struggles to overcome disaster, all while fending off criticisms, expectations, and disturbing figments of his imagination.” Talent from the film is expected to attend;
- A film-maker question-and-answer session, from 3-3:30 p.m.
- Screening of “Out and About,” directed by Peter Callahan, from 5-7 p.m. “Inside the mind of a middle-aged man as he tries to come to terms with his life over the course of an afternoon walk through his hometown.” Talent from the film is expected to attend; and
- A film-maker question-and-answer session, from 7-7:30 p.m.
- Beginning at 8 p.m., a short films comedy block: “Spooky Crew,” “John Doe,” “Jim’s Interview,” “Astronaut,” “Statistical Problems,” “The Ugly Rug,” “Mermaid, Bitch,” “Lady Invisible,” and “Grampy;”
- A film-maker question-and-answer session, from 9:30-10 p.m.; and
- An after-party at Rivet, co-hosted with Steel River Playhouse, from 10-11 p.m.
Two feature films, and awards
- Screening of “Doubles,” directed by Ian K. Harnarine, from 10-11:30 a.m. “A Trinidadian street vendor must travel to Toronto and decide if he will help save his estranged father from dying.” Talent from the film is expected to attend;
- A film-maker question-and-answer session, from 11:30 a.m. to noon;
- Beginning at 1 p.m., a short films documentary block: “How to Sue the Klan,” “Grown Up Dad,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “A Walk With Richard,” and “Love, Saji;”
- A film-maker question-and-answer session, from 2:30-3 p.m.
- Beginning at 3 p.m., a short films drama block: “As Easy As Closing Your Eyes,” “Lunchbox,” “Witness,” “Fall Risk,” “Willow,” “14 Years,” and “Letters from an Immortal;” followed by a film-maker question-and-answer session;
- Special screening of the feature film “Plan B,” directed by Brandon Tamburri, beginning at 8 p.m. “When a one night stand with her awkward neighbor leaves her pregnant, a young woman decides to quickly sleep with a successful businessman and tell him he’s the father of her unborn baby. Starring are Jamie Lee (of “Ted Lasso”), Jon Heder (of “Napoleon Dynamite”), and Shannon Elizabeth (of “American Pie”).” Talent from the film is expected to attend;
- A film-maker question-and-answer session, from 9:30-10 p.m.; and
- An after-party at Rivet, from 9-10 p.m.
- Screening of the feature film “The Architects of Hope: The First Steps in Rebuilding Ukraine,” directed by Paul Thomas, from 10-11:30 a.m. “As Russia continues to destroy Ukrainian cities, Ukraine’s leading architects are already building new buildings as symbols of hope. This film follows five leading Ukrainian architects as they independently spearhead a range of crucial war-related projects;”
- A film-maker question-and-answer session, from 11:30 to noon;
- Beginning at 3 p.m., a short films documentary block: “Pardon Me,” “How the Waves Were Won,” “Becoming, Being Mom,” and “Underdawgs;”
- A film-maker question-and-answer session, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.; and
- The festival’s closing, beginning at 4:30 p.m., with and Awards Ceremony and after-party at Rivet.
Clapboard photo by Getty Images on Unsplash+; Pottstown photo by Travels With The Post
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