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Altoona Reel Film Festival returns

Saturday event at ArtsAltoona includes screenings, workshops, awards

Independent films, workshops and a conversation with an award-winning filmmaker will highlight the second annual Altoona Reel Film Festival on Sept. 19 at the ArtsAltoona Center.

ArtsAltoona will host the festival from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the center, 2212 Sixth Ave. The event will feature 18 independent short films, two educational workshops, a keynote conversation with director and cinematographer Brad Grimm and an awards presentation.

The festival is open to the public and is intended for anyone interested in movies, storytelling and filmmaking, organizers said.

"We want people to come out simply because they love film," said Catherine Newman, administrative director of ArtsAltoona. "You don't have to be a filmmaker or know anything about the industry. If you enjoy watching movies and discovering new stories, Altoona Reel Film Festival is for you."

The day's programming begins at 9:30 a.m. with "The Nuts & Bolts of Indie & Hollywood Film Production." Penn State Altoona communications professor Bob Trumpbour and Mandy Westrick and Jim Westrick will discuss how film productions are developed and produced, drawing on their experiences in Los Angeles, New York City, and the local film industry.

At 10:30 a.m., Grimm will present "Shadow, Light, Story," a workshop examining how visual elements and narrative structure work together in filmmaking.

The festival's 18 short films will be shown from about 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. A conversation with Grimm and the awards presentation will follow.

Awards will be presented in several categories, including the Grand Award for Best Overall Short, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Short Documentary and the Creativity Award. Festival attendees will select the recipient of the People's Choice Award.

Grimm has directed for the History Channel's "The Food That Built America" and has created content for brands including Lexus, McDonald's, Showtime and CNN. He also developed the original television series "Intrusion" for Universal.

Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 for students with valid identification. Admission includes the workshops, film screenings, keynote session and awards presentation.

Organizers caution that some films may contain mature or sensitive subject matter and may not be appropriate for all ages. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review film information before bringing younger attendees.

Tickets, the complete festival schedule and event information are available at artsaltoona.org/altoona-filmfest. The film lineup is available at artsaltoona.org/festival-lineup-2026.