PHOENIXVILLE, PA — From the unsettling history of Pennhurst to the borough’s steelmaking past, stories rooted close to home will share the screen with independent films from around the world when the Phoenixville Film Festival returns to the historic Colonial Theatre this September.
The fourth annual festival runs Sept. 17-20, bringing 62 films — including four world premieres and 23 Pennsylvania premieres — to downtown Phoenixville. Beyond the screenings, audiences can meet filmmakers and take part in panels, workshops and special events, while a new series of 90-minute Master Classes will offer a closer look at the craft of filmmaking.
“Every year, our goal is to create a festival that celebrates great filmmaking while giving audiences an opportunity to discover stories and filmmakers they may not encounter anywhere else,” Phoenixville Film Festival Executive Director Kyle B. Thompson said. “We’re proud of what we’ve put together and can’t wait to welcome filmmakers, audiences, and our entire community to Phoenixville this September.”
For Chester County audiences, two of the festival’s most distinctive selections come with especially strong local ties.
The Haunting of Pennhurst explores the history of one of Chester County’s most notorious landmarks after screening at the Tribeca Festival earlier this year. Steel Wheel, meanwhile, will make its world premiere in the community whose industrial history inspired it. The documentary explores Phoenixville’s steelmaking legacy and the Phoenix Wheel, an amusement ride designed and fabricated in the borough during the height of its steel industry. Both films are scheduled as part of the festival’s opening-night program Sept. 17.
“One of the things that makes this festival so meaningful is the way film can connect audiences not only to new perspectives, but also to the stories and history in their own backyard,” Colonial Theatre Interim Executive Director Drew Boardman said. “Hosting these stories at the Colonial, in the heart of Phoenixville, creates an experience that feels deeply connected to the community and to the place we call home.”
Familiar faces will appear throughout the weekend as well. The Pennsylvania premiere of Surprise stars Mary Elizabeth Ellis, known for her longtime role on the Philadelphia-set It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Something Pointless features BAFTA Award-winning actor Owen Teale, who played Alliser Thorne on HBO’s Game of Thrones, while Such a Pretty Girl features Sarah Drew, known to television audiences as Dr. April Kepner on Grey’s Anatomy.
The festival is also expanding what happens beyond the screen. Its new Master Classes are designed for filmmakers and film enthusiasts, with working industry professionals leading 90-minute sessions focused on specific areas of filmmaking. Additional panels and workshops will give aspiring and established filmmakers opportunities to connect and exchange ideas.
Among the scheduled offerings are a Scene Design Master Class at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and a Sound of the Story Master Class at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20. Both are offered on a pay-what-you-wish basis.
The weekend will also include a Red Carpet Gala at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, before culminating with the Phoenixville Film Festival Awards Ceremony at 7 p.m. Sunday. The ceremony will recognize standout films, filmmakers and screenwriters from this year’s festival.
Event Details
- What: 4th Annual Phoenixville Film Festival
- When: Thursday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026; individual screening and event times vary
- Where: The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
- Cost/Tickets: Ticket prices vary by event. Listed screenings are $10; the Red Carpet Gala is $25; Master Classes are pay-what-you-wish; and Awards Night is $5.
- More Info: https://www.phoenixvillefilmfestival.com/
With locally rooted documentaries sharing the program with premieres, recognizable performers and hands-on filmmaking opportunities, the four-day festival offers moviegoers a chance not only to discover independent cinema, but to see pieces of Phoenixville and Chester County history reflected back from the big screen.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.