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!

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Sponsoring and Empowering the Wellsboro Film Festival

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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!

Team
thomas verdi wellsboro film festival

THOMAS VERDI

Executive Director

WILLIAM DEJESSA

Head of Festival Operations

THOMAS SMITH

Head of Programming

kerim duran wellsboro film festival

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 Street

Wellsboro, 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

Submit your masterpiece now.


Submit Your Film Now