SouthSide Film Festival facts for kids
The SouthSide Film Festival is an exciting yearly event that celebrates movies! It's a non-profit festival, meaning it's not about making money. Instead, it focuses on sharing great films with everyone. This festival happens every June in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The very first festival took place in 2004.
The name "SouthSide" comes from a special part of Bethlehem. This area is on the south side of the Lehigh River. It used to be home to a huge steel factory called Bethlehem Steel. Now, this area is being redeveloped, becoming new and modern.
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What is the SouthSide Film Festival?
The festival's logo shows a picture of a blast furnace. This is a big machine used to make steel. It's a way to remember the area's industrial past. You can still see these old furnaces in Bethlehem today! The festival shows movies in different places. Some screenings happen at Lehigh University. Other cool spots include Godfrey Daniels Listening Club and Deja Brew Coffeehouse.
A World of Films
Since it started in 2004, the festival has shown films from many places. Movies have come from 54 different countries. They have also come from 31 states across the U.S. The festival mainly focuses on independent films. These are movies made outside of big Hollywood studios. The festival features special "Invitational Films" and "Juried Selections." It also highlights a specific type of movie each year. Plus, it often focuses on films from a particular cultural region.
Learning About Filmmaking
The SouthSide Film Festival isn't just about watching movies. It also offers workshops for people who want to make films! These workshops teach different techniques and ideas. They are great for both experienced filmmakers and those just starting out. Teachers have included experts like Mel Halbach and Clayton Farr from FilmTreks. Shanti Thakur from Hofstra University has also taught. Pawel Partyka from Se-ma-for animation studio has shared his knowledge too.
Why is the Festival Important?
The SouthSide Film Festival and its main organization, The SouthSide Film Institute, have received many awards. One award was from the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission. They called it the "Organization of the Year." The award recognized how the festival helps people. It gives everyone a chance to see independent films. It also brings together movie fans and filmmakers. The festival even has a special film series just for children. This helps people learn to love film as an art form. It also helps Bethlehem have a lively arts scene. This benefits the entire Lehigh Valley area.
Festival History and Impact
The SouthSide Film Festival is the longest-running film festival in Bethlehem. In 2020, the festival had to be cancelled. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, the 17th festival was moved to 2021 instead.
