Annual film festival set for April 27-29

The West Chester Film Festival will soon hold its annual gathering at various venues across the borough.

WEST CHESTER » The West Chester Film Festival will hold its annual gathering at various venues across the borough later this month, spotlighting short films from a multitude of filmmakers — some of them younger than the voting age.

The festival will be held from Friday, April 27, to Sunday, April 29, with a special Saturday selection of children’s films.

This year, the festival is being sponsored by Exelon Corporation, as part of its effort to bring arts, culture and education to Pennsylvania communities.

Filmgoers will enjoy a mix of comedy, drama, animation, art/experimental, and documentary short films in each two-hour film block. There are seven dynamic blocks of films, each screened twice over the weekend at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center and at the Chester County Historical Society — conveniently across North High Street from one another.

The West Chester Film Festival bills itself as a powerful way to tap into the energy of the community. Festival patrons from around the region, visiting filmmakers and students will have the opportunity to screen diverse films from 12 different countries as they are welcomed by residents and business owners in the borough.

The Film Festival also features parties and workshops that are open to all – newbies and seasoned filmmakers alike, according to a press release. All festival events provide opportunities to mingle with fellow film fans in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.

In addition to the main festival screenings presented by Exelon, there is a Saturday morning Family Film Festival, free for children under 10, sponsored by West Chester Friends School. The Youth Film Festival, sponsored by the Children’s Beach House and Plein Air Brandywine Valley, features films made by and for middle- and highschool students.

The film festival is a nonprofit organization which relies on the financial support of dedicated local sponsors as well as the time and labor of volunteers to make the festival an annual success.

To see the full line-up of events, film descriptions and to purchase tickets, visit the website at www.westchesterfilmfestival.com or send an email to info@westchesterfilmfestival.com.