Altoona Reel Film Festival 2026
Get Ready For Year TWO
Join ArtsAltoona for a full day celebrating independent film, creativity, and visual storytelling at the 2026 Altoona Reel Film Festival!
From hands-on workshops and film screenings to conversations with filmmakers and our festival awards, ARFF brings filmmakers, students, film lovers, and the community together to experience and celebrate the art of filmmaking.
Admission
$10 General Admission
$5 Students with Valid ID
Your admission includes access to the day's workshops, film screenings, keynote speaker session, and awards presentation.
Festival Schedule
9:30 a.m. | Workshop: The Nuts & Bolts of Indie & Hollywood Film Production
Hosted by Penn State Altoona Professor of Communications Bob Trumpbour | Part-time Instructor of Communications Mandy Westrick
10:30 a.m. | Workshop: Screenplay & Story Telling
Hosted by Director and Keynote Speaker Brad Grimm
12:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Film Screenings
Settle in for an afternoon of independent films selected for the 2026 Altoona Reel Film Festival.
4:45 – 6:00 p.m. | Sit Down with the Keynote Speaker & Awards Presentation
Wrap up the festival with a conversation featuring keynote speaker Brad Grimm, followed by the presentation of this year's festival awards.
Meet Our Keynote Speaker: Brad Grimm
Brad Grimm is an award-winning cinematographer and director whose passion for visual storytelling began when he made his first film at age eleven.
While earning his film degree from Robert Morris University, Brad became the first student in thirty years to win both a College Television Award and a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Internship.
He went on to co-found GetGrimm, creating content for major brands including Lexus, McDonald's, Showtime, and CNN, before founding Firefly Films to pursue narrative storytelling. His television directing credits include two seasons of the History Channel series The Food That Built America.
In 2021, Brad developed the original television series Intrusion, self-funding a proof-of-concept pilot that attracted the attention of CAA and Grandview and propelled the project into active development with Littleton Road for Universal.
Whether you're a filmmaker, student, creative, or simply someone who loves a great story on screen, come spend the day discovering new films and celebrating the people who bring them to life.
Film and Award Categories
All films must be 20 minutes or lessWe welcome all styles of work within the festivals selected genres. Films will be accepted based on picked criteria with opportunities to win awards, connect with fellow creators, and get your work seen by a live audience. This is more than just a screening — it’s a celebration of your passion and persistence.
Our goal? To create a space where everyone’s voice matters, and where creativity and dedication to the art of filmmaking gets the hype it deserves.
At the Altoona Reel Film Festival, your work is the festival.
SHORT - DRAMA
These films should dive deep into the human condition. Think bold storytelling that challenges and connects real-life experiences.
Max run-time: 20 minutes
SHORT - COMEDY
From clever dialogue to laugh-out-loud moments, we want to see these shorts bring the funny and fresh in unexpected ways. Get ready for humor that ranges from sharp satire to pure silliness.
Max runtime: 20 minutes
SHORT - ACTION/ADVENTURE
Fast-paced and full of energy, lets see these films pack a punch in a short runtime. High stakes, daring feats, and edge-of-your-seat excitement await.
Max runtime: 20 minutes
SHORT - THRILLER/HORROR
Dark, eerie, and grippingly suspenseful, these shorts should be designed to keep you guessing — or gasping. Whether it's psychological tension or full-blown terror, we want to feel every twist.
Max runtime: 20 minutes
SHORT - EXPERIMENTAL
No rules, no limits — this category is meant to be a playground for boundary-pushing creativity. From animation to claymation, abstract visuals to sound-driven narratives, these films can challenge convention and redefine what a short film can be.
Max runtime: 20 minutes
SHORT - DOCUMENTARY
True stories told with creativity and purpose, these documentaries inform, inspire, and spark curiosity. Each film offers a glimpse into real lives, real issues, and real impact.
Max runtime: 20 minutes
STUDENT - SHORT NARRATIVE
Narrative storytelling from rising student filmmakers, showcasing fresh voices and bold perspectives. These films prove that talent has no age limit — just imagination and drive. All genres, no limitation; go out and shoot!
Max runtime: 20 minutes
STUDENT - SHORT DOCUMENTARY
Insightful and thought-provoking, these student-made documentaries should bring real-world topics to life with heart and authenticity. A powerful reminder that storytelling starts now, not later.
Max runtime: 20 minutes
Reach out to the ARFF Team
Email us at: AltoonaFilmFestival@gmail.com