WILLIAMSPORT — The Susquehanna Film Festival is set to make its debut on Sept. 20 and 21, in Williamsport.

Founded by Williamsport native and Los Angeles-based independent film producer Tim Yasui, the festival aims to celebrate both international and regional cinema.

The festival will showcase a diverse selection of feature films and short films from around the globe, with a special emphasis on works produced in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic states. Submissions are encouraged from filmmakers of all levels, including students whose projects may have been overlooked by larger national festivals.

“As a filmmaker and film distributor who has recently produced films in the Commonwealth (such as last summer’s box office surprise ‘Cocaine Werewolf,’ shot in nearby Wellsboro, Pa.), I wanted to create a vehicle to bring attention specifically to the Williamsport area as a viable location to shoot films and also to reward those local film makers by including their regionally shot films in our Festival,” said Yasui. “I also want to encourage film fans of all ages to get off the couch and experience movies the way they were originally intended to be experienced — in a real movie theater!”

The festival will be held at the District Cinema at Lycoming Valley, located at the former Lycoming Mall in Williamsport.

Over the two-day event, attendees can look forward to screenings of dozens of never-before-seen films across two screens, including several encore performances of important independent films making their theatrical debuts on the big screen.

“We are so excited to be able to host the first inaugural Susquehanna Film Festival at the District Cinema,” said District Theater General Manager Jordan Musheno. “It’s incredibly important to celebrate and showcase both internationally and locally made films and we believe this provides a great opportunity to experience this kind of cinema on the big screen.”

“The Susquehanna Film Festival is a fantastic addition to Williamsport’s growing arts scene. It not only highlights incredible independent filmmakers but also strengthens our region’s reputation as a hub for creative talent.” said Noah Bieter, Chair, Lycoming Arts Film Office. “We at Lycoming Arts are excited to support this inaugural event and look forward to seeing it flourish in the years to come.”

An awards ceremony will conclude the festival, honoring outstanding achievements in categories such as Best Student Film, Best Pennsylvania-Made Film, Best Documentary, Best Short Film, Best Drama, Best Horror, Best Comedy, and Best Animation. A panel of independent judges will evaluate the submissions to determine the winners.

Yasui, a 1979 graduate of Williamsport Area High School, has built a distinguished career in the entertainment industry. He studied classical piano, violin, percussion, and sang in his church choir during his youth in Williamsport. Since relocating to Los Angeles in 1987, Yasui has recorded and globally released nine studio albums as the co-founder/drummer/vocalist/keyboardist of the post-LONDON band SPIDERS & SNAKES, appeared on drums on numerous other artists’ releases and has produced/co-produced/associate produced dozens of feature films, documentary films and concert films.

His on-screen debut as an actor was in the Roger Corman film “Hollywood Boulevard Part II” which earned him his SAG card for performing and singing in that film with the band LONDON. Several national and regional TV commercials, Music Videos (including performing on drums with William Shatner and Billy Gibbons of ZZ TOP fame) and appearances in feature films like “Lion Heart,” “Where The Day Takes You,” “Ford Fairlane,” “Shock ‘Em Dead,” “Hollywood Rocks,” “Vamps In The City” and “The Black” Mass followed. He currently resides in Beverly Hills, Calif., and continues to produce and distribute films and record and perform live in his new band HOLLYWOOD AFTER DARK.

The District Cinema opened in the spring of 2024 and is owned and operated by Dipson Theatres. Established in 1939, the Dipson theater chain has emerged as a prominent player in the cinema industry, boasting a rich history spanning over eight decades. With a legacy rooted in providing top-notch cinematic experiences, Dipson Theatres has expanded to encompass 56 screens across various locations in the mid-Atlantic region.

For more information about the Susquehanna Film Festival, including submission guidelines and ticket details, please visit these websites:

— Film Festival Website: susquehannafilmfestival.com/

— Filmmaker Submissions Website: filmfreeway.com/TheSusquehannaFilmFestival

— Festival Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/susquehannafilmfestival

— Box Office Ticket Sales and Theater Information: thedistrict.dipsontheatres.com (Tickets will be available later this Spring, 2025)

The Susquehanna Film Festival is the first of its kind in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Founded by LA-based independent film producer and Williamsport native Tim Yasui, the festival aims to celebrate and acknowledge international films as well as regionally produced feature films and short films from the Greater Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic states. The festival encourages submissions from filmmakers and students whose works might be overlooked by national festivals.

Lycoming Arts is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the arts in Williamsport, PA, and the surrounding region. Through vibrant community events like Williamsport First Friday, public art initiatives, and artist support programs, Lycoming Arts connects creatives, businesses, and residents to celebrate and strengthen the local arts scene.