Latino Block

Outside Time

Outside Time (Afuera Del Tiempo)

Director: Marco Velez Esquivia
Runtime: 90 minutes

A man returns to the past to stop his girlfriend from ending their relationship before he can propose to her but every time he comes back she breaks up with him giving him a different excuse. Now he has to change according to her so he can marry her.

website | watch trailer | facebook

Escucha (Listen)

Listen (Escucha)

Director: Ernesto González Díaz
Runtime: 6 minutes

A couple of sound engineers have stopped paying attention to each other. During a film shooting they see themselves in the actors who play the scene, which makes them understand the importance of listening to one another.

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Diegesis

Diegesis

Director: Gabriel Angulo
Runtime: 7 minutes

A couple of college students are in the car. They finished their night walk of the day. When the girl is about to say goodbye, the boy interrupts her and says that she cannot say goodbye, because he have something to confess: they are fictional characters inside a movie.

watch trailer

Screening Info

Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 6pm
Venue: Reading IMAX Theater
Address: 30 N 2nd St, Reading
Tickets: $10

Made In Reading

Thank You For Supporting 80 Years of Mingus Magic

Thank You For Supporting: 80 Years of Mingus Magic

Director: Ryan Adamowicz
Runtime: 45 minutes

The enchanting story behind a magic shop in Reading, Pennsylvania that has been in operation for eight decades. Learn about the history, the culture and the community that has kept the magic alive in Reading for so many years. It’s far more than just a place to buy magic. This is the Mingus Magic Shop.

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Midnight Carnival

Midnight Carnival

Director: Chung-Wei Huang
Runtime: 19 minutes

Midnight Carnival tells the story of Andrea Lin, a confused Taiwanese girl in her late teens struggling to find her place in the world. In search of the adventure that is missing from her life, she takes a summer job in America working for a traveling carnival, where she is confronted with the harsh realities of life as a migrant worker. After struggling to connect with her “carney” co-workers, including Julio, a young, free-spirited Mexican man, she must come to terms with her feelings of wanting to belong, yet never feeling at home.

website | watch trailer | facebook

On The Right Track

On the Right Track

Director: David Speace
Runtime: 10 minutes

This is a behind the scenes film of the making of a tv pilot call Franklin Street Station. The producers, director, director of photography and actors are interviewed.

website | facebook

Traffic Opera

Traffic Opera

Director: Andrew Pochan
Runtime: 18 minutes

It’s an opera. In traffic.

website

Screening Info

Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 12:30pm
Venue: Reading IMAX Theater
Address: 30 N 2nd St, Reading
Tickets: $10

Pushing the Limits Docs


Special Presentation:

Heroes Dive

Director: Brett Wheat
Runtime: 13 minutes

Five paralyzed veterans attempt an open ocean dive that changes their perceptions of who they are and what they can do.

Running A.T. Full Speed

Running A.T. Full Speed

Director: Ryan Simmons
Runtime: 87 minutes

One man’s dream of raising $100,000 for the orphans of Uganda by beating the world’s longest distance speed record, the Appalachian Trail.

website | watch trailer

Screening Info

 Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 1:30pm
Venue: Reading Movies 11 & IMAX Theater
Address: 30 N 2nd St, Reading
Tickets: $10

Panel Discussion

  • Ryan Simmons, the filmmaker of Running A.T. Full Speed                                                                                                  
  • Hack Albertson, National VP of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (featured in Heroes Dive)

Saturday Shorts

Fumero-ism: The Grafstract

Fumero-Ism: The Grafstract

Director: Keith Aronowitz
Runtime: 16 minutes

Fumero-Ism, The Grafstract, profiles the well known NYC street artist and muralist known as Fumero. The film examines his interest and growth in art from childhood to present, reveals his process, and what motivates him to keep putting out incredible work at a high rate, from canvas to street. Fumero is intense, real and one of a kind, all of which is revealed in this film short.

watch trailer
 

16 MINS

16 MINS

Director: Stephane Verzi
Runtime: 16 minutes

In a Post Apocalyptic world, two lovers race against time and the elements to secure enough penicillin to save a life.

website

Incredibly Smart, Sexy, Bombshell Co-ed Named Debra

Director: Raylee Magill
Runtime: 12 minutes

A day in the life of an actress…who’s not so lucky.

watch trailer | facebook

Backsiders

Backsiders

Director: Craig Newman
Runtime: 16 minutes

When a forgotten relic reunites two exes, they must come to terms with the drastically different directions their lives have taken. Then, they try again.

“Backsiders” is a short film about what we must we give up in order to become ourselves.

website | watch trailer | facebook

Elevator Man

Director: Michael Francis Duff
Runtime: 5 minutes

When timid Arthur gets a call he’s wanted upstairs to see the big boss for his yearly review, he could never fathom the obstacles or hysteria to come.

“Backsiders” is a short film about what we must we give up in order to become ourselves.

The Pitch

The Pitch

Director: George Foster
Runtime: 22 minutes

A millennial-life crisis inspires a man to make a life changing decision.

 

Bryce and Liam Go to Space

Bryce and Liam Go to Space

Director: Bryce Padovan
Runtime: 5 minutes

Two best friends take the extraterrestrial adventure of a lifetime, all starting one night in Bryce and Liam’s back shed in Melbourne, Australia.

watch trailer

Screening Info

Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 2pm
Venue: Reading IMAX Theater
Address: 30 N 2nd St, Reading
Tickets: $10

Social & Health Issues Block

Sacrificial Virgins

Sacrificial Virgins

Director: Andi Reiss
Runtime: 30 minutes

The Human Papilloma Vaccine (HPV) is a treatment in widespread use but its efficacy in preventing cancer is medically unproven, while unintended, adverse reactions are blighting and even ending the lives of girls and young women across the world. However, pharmaceutical manufacturers and many health authorities are refusing to acknowledge there is a problem and the medical community is continuing to offer the vaccine.

Sacrificial Virgins – so named because the vaccine is often given to girls before they become sexually active – exposes increasing evidence of serious neurological damage following the HPV injections. It calls for the vaccine to be withdrawn in the hope that this will help to halt another global tragedy.

website | watch trailer

Binge Purge

Binge Purge

Director: Brandon C. Lay
Runtime: 39 minutes

After losing her job, Valerie (Valynn Turkovich) relapses into bulimia. It takes the new found friendship of an oddball woman named Jacey (Kate Hughes) to help her find the way back to recovery.

website | facebook

Screening Info

Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 12pm
Venue: Reading IMAX Theater
Address: 30 N 2nd St, Reading
Tickets: $10

Coming Soon! The 2018 Schedule!

The films are in! Our jurors have eaten all the popcorn they can handle and have viewed all our submissions.  Votes are counted….. .stay tuned for our announcement for this year’s schedule.

Many thanks to Chris and all of our jurors for their time and commitment to making this year’s festival the best yet!

(Hint: the decision was tough!) 

It will be a great line-up!

FiveMinuteFilmFEST Now Open!

New for 2018! ReadingFilmFEST presents the FiveMinuteFilmFEST for local High School students and 2018 High School Graduates. 

This competition is geared toward local students who are encouraged to submit an original film/video project no more than 5 minutes in length. All genres will be accepted, including original narrative/fiction, documentary/non-fiction and music videos. 

Submissions will be accepted until September 24, 2018. All qualifying submissions will be screened on October 18th at the WCR Center for the Arts. Winners will be included in the StudentFEST on November 1st!

Submit now at:

https://filmfreeway.com/FiveMinuteFilmFEST

This competition is made possible with a grant from the Berks County Community Foundation,

 

New Faces at ReadingFilmFEST!

New Faces at ReadingFIlmFEST!

ReadingFilmFEST is thrilled to have Cammie Harris join us this year as our Operations Manager. We met Cammie last year after the WCR Center for the arts hosted the festival (Cammie is also their part-time director). Cammie loved the energy of the FEST and we loved hers! Cammie’s administrative acumen and creative energy are a great fit for ReadingFilmFEST 2018!

Dr. Chris Woodward has taken on the role of Associate Director/Jury Coordinator for 2018! Chris was  a jury member and volunteer in 2017, who brings a love of film and supreme organizational skills to this role. In addition to making sure that every film is judged by 3 of our jurors, Chris watches every film himself. Oh and in his spare time, he’s a Family Physician…

Moving ON!

One of our founders, Executive Producer, Santo D. Marabella, has moved on, making room in his life for his own creative endeavors, including an original TV show set in Reading: Franklin Street Station. Santo dedicated most of the last 11 years creating and running the ReadingFilm office. He will be missed in his administrative role, but promises to see you all at the festival this year. We wish Santo all the best in his new endeavors and thank him for his tireless commitment to the Reading film community!

Sue Lange, Jury Coordinator since our inception in 2015, has also moved on. Though still very involved in the festival on a consultant basis, Sue is busy with her own films both in development and on the festival circuit! We’ve appreciated Sue’s astute ability to find provocative films for our festival and know that she will find great success with her projects! Don’t worry, she’ll still be around for the festival, Sue never misses a party!

Sue Lange

Parties, Parties and more Parties!

Parties!

Some festivals call it “networking”, but we’ve dropped the euphemism to call it what it is… a good time! Hang out with your favorite filmmakers and checkout some of our favorite places to see and be seen! Many thanks to our reception venues and sponsors!

Welcome our filmmakers as they arrive at the Crowne Plaza (their home base for the weekend) with a drink at Goodnites!

Event Info

Date: Friday, November 2 2018 at 4:30pm
Venue: Goodnites Lounge & Night Club
Address:1741 Papermill Rd, Reading, PA 19610

Speckled Hen

Located in the oldest building in Reading, the Speckled Hen Cottage Pub is truly a treasure. You’ll feel transported to old England when you walk through the door!

Sponsored by Lisa Tiger Homes – Century 21

Event Info

Date: Friday, November 2 2018 at 9:30pm
Venue: The Speckled Hen 
Address: 30 S. 4th Street Reading, PA 19602

The IA (Italian-American) Club is an After Hours haunt that only the coolest locals visit! Albert is not only a first class raconteur, but an outstanding artist and cook!

Event Info

Date: Friday, November 2 2018 at 11pm
Venue: IA Club 
Address: 243 Chestnut St, West Reading, PA 19611

Peanut Bar

The Peanut Bar has been a Reading institution for nearly 85 years. Good food, great drinks, and all the peanuts you can eat. Go ahead, throw the shells on the floor….

Sponsored by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Event Info

Date: Saturday, November 3 2017 at 5:30pm
Venue: The Peanut Bar
Address: 332 Penn St, Reading, PA 19602

Mike's Tavern

Mike’s is the real deal! A bar, with good beer and spirits, and music! If you saw Lynn Nottage’s Tony nominated Sweat on Broadway, you may recognize the bar. Mike’s was the inspiration for the set!

Sponsored by Bullfrog Films

Event Info

Date: Saturday, November 3 2018 at 9:30pm
Venue: Mike’s Tavern
Address: 135 Exeter St, Reading, PA 19601

Awards Ceremony and Reception

Awards Reception

Celebrate the accomplishments of our many filmmakers while enjoying entertainment by Chris Heslop and friends. Free to pass holders. Event tickets available online or at the door.

Event Info

Date: Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 5:30pm
Venue: WCR Center for the Arts
Address: 140 N 5th St, Reading