Wellsboro Film Festival
February 20th-22nd, 2026

Wellsboro, PA, United States
Now Open for Entries for the 2026 Festival!
$15,000 in Prizes, Sponsored by Keslow Camera!
BRANDS AND PARTNERS
Sponsoring and Empowering the Wellsboro Film Festival






About the Festival
Welcome to Wellsboro Film Festival, where independent cinema meets small-town charm. Founded by collaborating filmmakers who first worked together at their boring corporate video jobs, Thomas Smith and Thomas Verdi want to help others bring their stories to the screen. Having attended many film festivals, they've learned that some festivals care about their filmmakers' experience, and others see them as numbers or dollar signs. That's why they're going the extra mile to make Wellsboro Film Festival not just about the films, but about the entire filmmaker experience. At Wellsboro Film Festival, every accepted filmmaker receives a free two nights' stay at the historic Penn Wells Hotel. All accepted films will screen at the Arcadia Theatre, located right next to the hotel. Wellsboro, PA, with its quaint Main Street, embodies the essence of small-town USA—literally—as it's served as the setting for the Hallmark movie Christmas Comes Twice and comes with its very own Grand Canyon. Join us in February for a celebration of indie cinema, community, and camaraderie in this picture-perfect mountainside town.
THE FESTIVAL TEAM
The filmmakers who make Wellsboro Film Festival happen!

THOMAS VERDI
Executive Director

WILLIAM DEJESSA
Head of Festival Operations

THOMAS SMITH
Head of Programming

KERIM DURAN
Technical Director
Schedule
day 1
Hotel Check-in and Festival Meet and Greet
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST
Check in to The Penn Wells Hotel, and then head to the Festival Meet and Greet at The Penn Wells Lounge, located inside of The Penn Wells Hotel. Get to know your fellow filmmakers and the festival staff!
The Penn Wells Hotel
62 Main StreetWellsboro, PA 16901
day 2
Screenings, a writing workshop at The Arcadia Theatre, and an exclusive after party!
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM EST
A short film writing workshop hosted by Drexel University screenwriting professor David Greenberg followed by a full day of screenings and a filmmaker afterparty! Stay tuned for the detailed screening schedule once we announce the Official Selections!
The Arcadia Theatre
50 Main Street
Wellsboro, PA 16901
day 3
Awards Breakfast!
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Awards Breakfast at The Penn Wells Hotel.
VENUES
THE Arcadia Theatre
50 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901
THE PENN-WELLS HOTEL
62 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901
CONTACT
staff@wellsborofilmfestival.com