MISSION & OBJECTIVE
New Hope Film Festival is especially interested in discovering and nurturing talented but underappreciated filmmakers from around the globe.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The 16th Edition New Hope Film Festival will take place from August 16-25, 2027. A hybrid festival with a combination of physical and virtual events, the New Hope Film Festival offers currently rare opportunities for in-person networking and audience interaction. The Festival owns and uses first class audio-video components for screenings, with 4K laser projection, reference-level surround sound processing and other high quality, carefully-selected components. All films are screened in physical, in-person events except under rare circumstances beyond our control, such as a pandemic or a problem with a venue. There will be a virtual networking event and a virtual awards ceremony, and both can be attended from anywhere that has an internet connection. The festival does not plan to host virtual screenings at this time. However, a limited number of virtual screenings may be offered with prior approval of the filmmaker and festival organizers. Any virtual screenings would employ state-of-the-art security, including DRM Encryption, a 7-day limitation for viewing and optional geo-blocking. Virtual screenings do not include live streaming events.
About the Festival
Touted as the "emerging 'Sundance East'" in a Huffington Post article, this internationally respected indie fest was founded by D. F. Whipple, an author, entrepreneur and long-time resident of the New Hope area. A former child actor who once had the lead role in The Big Yellow Fellow, one of the highest grossing educational films in American history, Whipple formed the New Hope Film Festival with a group of artists who shared his passion for discovering and nurturing independent artists, especially those who’ve been overlooked by established festivals. This includes international films, which the Festival is eager to attract.
What Makes the Festival Different
Every film submitted is watched with a keen perspective on quality and artistic expression. Artistic standards are extremely high, but neither budget nor prior notoriety is a determining factor—the art must shine through. This all-inclusive approach brings significant prestige, variety and unpredictability to the festival's annual lineup.
The organization's strong publicity and marketing program included an annual awards announcement in Variety until the dailies went out of print, as well as press coverage in mainstream outlets such as NBC, ABC, The Huffington Post, The Times of India and more. Mainstream and alternative news media press continues to be an area of focus, making this cutting-edge and growing festival a powerful bridge between indie obscurity and wider recognition.
The Location
Over the years, New Hope has attracted and been home to many talented producers, screenwriters, actors, playwrights, and performance art enthusiasts. Home of the Bucks County Playhouse, where actors such as John Travolta, George C. Scott, Robert Redford, Helen Hayes, Andrea McArdle and Colleen Dewhurst have graced the stage, the village is centrally located less than an hour from Philadelphia and an hour and a half from New York.
