2008 Film Descriptions
2008 Workshop Series
2008 Film Schedule
Presenting the Best in Independent Short Film! The 4th Annual West Chester 'Short' International Film Festival, Presented by Ruggeri's General Sales Cadillac-Saab and Comcast will be held once again in the beautiful borough of West Chester. Over 85 short films will be screened and judged in competition throughout the weekend. Work has been submitted from Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Poland; from many U.S. filmmakers and of course, from filmmakers right here in Pennsylvania. West Chester is a great place to be during Film Festival Weekend. Experience something completely original and take the opportunity to get the inside story behind the films by talking with the filmmakers. The West Chester Film Festival has something for everyone. Not only will we screen great films, the WCFF has scheduled lectures and workshops presented by Industry Professionals, a film scoring competition using cutting edge music software technology and the always popular Filmmakers Meet and Greet. This year, the Festival is proud to be presenting three scholarships to exceptional Film and Video Arts High School students from West Chester. The Opening Night Party on Thursday April 24th and our Closing Night Awards Party on Sunday April 27th are events not to be missed. Plan to visit West Chester during Film Festival Weekend April 24th - 27th, 2008 and enjoy our film arts, lectures, entertainment, parties and everything else the Borough of West Chester has to offer!
Opening Night Party!
Thursday, April 24th • 7-10pm • $40 • The Cultural Center at The Chester County Historical Society • 225 North High Street
Sponsored by Lifestyle Magazine
Celebrate the kick off of the 2008 West Chester International Short Film Festival at the Chester County Historical Society! Join us for an evening of cocktails, heavy hors d'ouevres, music by the Alex Bartlett Group, and great conversation with filmmakers, directors and film buffs. Dress is smart casual. Open to the Public with advance tickets available here or at the door. WCFF members receive 20% OFF each ticket, so become a member today!
Movies! Movie! Movies! — See the Schedule links above for Descriptions, Film Block Schedules & Venues.
Friday, April 25th • Film blocks: 7-9:00pm; 9:30-11:30pm
Saturday, April 26th • Film blocks: noon-2:00pm; 2:30-4:30pm; 7-9:00pm; 9:30-11:30pm • Youth Blocks at the YWCA: 11:00-12:30; 1:00-2:30pm
Sunday, April 27th • Film blocks: noon-2:00pm; 2:30-4:30pm
Ticket prices are $7 per film block. Become a WCFF Member and receive 20% off the Opening Night Party and discounted film block tickets for $5! $6 with Senior Citizen or valid Student ID, Youth Film Block tickets are $5.
If you wish to purchase tickets for the entire weekend, the cost is $50 - a $34 savings!
Purchase in advance online or at the door (cash only).
Closing Night Awards Party!
Sunday, April 27th • 6-10pm • $15 • The Cultural Center at The Chester County Historical Society • 225 North High Street
Join us for great food and drink from local restaurants as we present the WCFF Awards Party – we kick it up a notch with our version of the Awards Ceremony. See the WCFF Award winners ONE MORE TIME!!!! The "Chester", the WCFF unique Statuette will be presented to the films judged Best in the categories of Animation, Drama, Documentary, Comedy, Experimental/Art, Student, PA Filmmaker and Audience Choice. In addition, the Regional Center for Women in the Arts will present a $500 cash award to the Best Film by a Woman Filmmaker. The winner of the Film Scoring Workshop competition will be announced and the WCFF•Comcast Student Film Scholarships presented. Advanced tickets can be purchased online or during the Festival at the Chester County Historical Society, 225 N. High St. If you've attended in the past, you know this party is a blast! And, it is the Best Deal in Town. What a Great way to finish up Film Festival Weekend!
Workshops – See the 2008 Workshop Series link above for Details!
Project Soundwave: Music and Scoring in Film • Friday, Saturday, Sunday April 25-27 • The Masonic Lodge – 2nd Fl. • 10 South Church St. • FREE
Musical scores that accompany film create a mood and reinforce the Director's style and theme. To gain insight and provide an interactive experience, WCFF Educational Workshops this year focus on Music and Scoring in Film. Throughout the weekend, our presenters and panelists will discuss the history of music in film. Workshop attendees will receive instruction on using software scoring tools to actually score a film. Teams will compete to score the WCFF Film 'Stunt Friend' with the winning team’s score presented at the Closing Night Awards Party. Length: continuous throughout the weekend, see schedule.
Lecture/Discussion – From WC to LA
Tim Chambers • Director, Producer, Filmmaker
Saturday, April 26 • 4:45-5:30pm • The Knights of Columbus • 110 W. Market St. • FREE
West Chester's own Tim Chambers is readying his return to the big screen as producer, writer and director of "Our Lady of Victory". As President of Quaker Media Productions, Tim has encountered the trials and tribulations which accompany the process of taking a local story and transforming it into a feature film. Set to engage audiences all around the world, Tim will share his entertainment industry experiences which have taken him from West Chester to LA (and everywhere in between) while keeping an eye out for that next great story.
Filmmakers Meet & Greet • Saturday, April 26 • 5:30-7:00pm • Pietro's Prime • 125 West Market St. • FREE
When the Lecture ends, the Meet and Greet begins! Join us at Pietro's Prime for a casual wrap-up to the afternoon as you get the chance to meet the filmmakers up close. Take the opportunity to discuss their work with them, filmmakers love the opportunity to meet with the film going public and here's your chance. Find out what really goes on behind the camera. Don't forget, our evening Film Blocks start at 7:00! Make sure your visit Pietro's Prime. They are offering all film goers a 10% discount on your food bill throughout the weekend. Just show your ticket stub to your server and it is wise to stop in and reserve a table.
All workshops are FREE and Open to the Public. In some cases, seating may be limited.
West Chester Film Festival Judging Categories:
Short Films:
All Films run Under 30 minutes. Film Blocks run 2 hours or less. Each Film Block screens twice during the weekend.
Awards will be presented for:
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Documentary
Best Animated Film
Best Student Film
Best Experimental/Art Film
Best Pennsylvania Filmmaker
Audience Choice • Voted by Film-goers throughout the Weekend
Best Film by a Woman Filmmaker • Presented by the Regional Center for Women in the Arts