FirstGlance Film Festival, Philadelphia’s longest-running competitive indie film festival, programs a curated selection of more than forty new independent films by professional, emerging, and student filmmakers at their 29th annual event, May 8-10, 2026, at the Film Society Bourse, 400 Ranstead Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
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With a strong focus on local filmmakers, these films have ties to the Philadelphia area:
Fabian Farina, Mariano Mattei – “Evelyn” – Fabian Farina and Mariano Mattei founded Four Olives Productions, an award-winning independent film company based in South Philadelphia, in 2020. The company has produced four feature films and multiple short films, earning 12+ awards across film festivals nationwide. Their short film “Evelyn” is about a brilliant geneticist who secretly enhances his unborn daughter to save her life but unwittingly creates something far more intelligent—and far more dangerous—than he ever imagined. It explores topical and timely themes of artificial intelligence, genetic manipulation, and the unintended consequences of unchecked ambition. WORLD PREMIERE
James Hartranft – “Carved” – James Hartranft is a photographer, screenwriter, and script analyst who majored in Cinematography and Film Production at DeSales University. His most recent film, “Carved,” is an exploration of the often-mishandled topic of self-harm. It’s about an amateur whittler, in the wake of her mentor’s passing, who battles obsessive perfectionism and urges to self-harm as she struggles to complete a wood carving by herself. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Gabe Castro– “The Soup” – Gabe Castro is a nonbinary, Latine, Philadelphia-based multimedia creator specializing in the horror genre. Gabe’s work focuses on dissecting horror media, exploring the real-world influences behind our cinematic fears. They are captivated by cultural storytelling and are working towards building narratives around folklore, reframing monsters as symbols of empowerment rather than fear. Gabe’s short film “The Soup” is about two friends who conduct a ritual in hopes of making a meaningful connection with the spirit realm. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Derek Frey – “The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry” – Derek Frey is a filmmaker and producer best known for his long-standing collaboration with director Tim Burton, with whom he has worked for more than two decades on a wide range of live-action and animated films. Alongside his studio work, Frey has built a distinctive career as an independent filmmaker whose projects often draw from the humor, nostalgia, and quiet absurdities of American suburban life. His films blend off-beat comedy, dark whimsy, and heartfelt character moments, earning dozens of awards on the international festival circuit and cultivating a loyal following among indie audiences. “The Current State of the Backyard Pool Industry” is the latest evolution in his long-standing creative partnership with The Minor Prophets, a comedy troupe he has been making films with for nearly two decades. The film explores the rituals of suburban life through the lens of middle-aged masculinity with tenderness and affection. It is a story about men trying to stay afloat not just in a backyard pool, but in their lives, careers, and relationships. It is the test of remaining relevant in a world that has stopped paying attention to you. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Liz Wiest – “Have a Safe Trip” – Liz Wiest is a writer and first-time director whose work explores the humor within the subtle chaos of everyday life and human interaction. Fascinated by the absurd within the ordinary, she aims to create comedic worlds that operate as reality at 110%. Her short film, “Have a Safe Trip,” is about Carl and Michelle who are going to traverse the galaxy together…without leaving the comfort of their living room. It was entirely shot in Philadelphia with an all-Philadelphia cast and crew.
Harry Scheld – “Humphrey” – Harry Scheld is a Philadelphia-based independent filmmaker and producer. His animated short is about Richard Schnauzer who copes with the excision of his beloved Humnphrey. While this short, animated film marks his first work as a writer and director, he has previously worked as a producer on three independent films, contributing to the development and realization of character-driven, emotionally grounded cinema. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Adam Reim – “LEO: Keeping the Music Alive” – Adam Reim is a passionate student director of narrative and documentary, currently studying film at Rowan University in New Jersey. His short documentary tells the story of Leo, an aging jazz promoter in West Philadelphia, who reflects upon his 50-year career of keeping live jazz alive in the community. Leo’s story is one of historical prominence, personal sacrifice, and overwhelming love for community, family, and jazz.
Mekhia Foster – “In Her Care” – “In Her Care” is a poetic exploration of the Black healthcare industry through the personal history of Philadelphia nurse Patricia Curtis. After attending the James Martin School of Nursing in Philadelphia, she would serve the next fifty years as the director of nursing of several local nursing homes and go on to open her own nursing school to educate the next generation of healthcare workers.
David Y Block – “Brewing Possibilities” – David Block earned his master’s in journalism at Temple University in 2017, where he was awarded the Lori Schipper Scholarship for Distinguished Achievement in Journalism. “Brewing Possibilities” highlights GET Café in Narberth Pa., a neighborhood coffee shop where more than half the staff – even supervisors – have disabilities. In “Brewing Possibilities” employees share their stories of how it was hard for them to get jobs and to keep them. Get Café owner/founder Brooke Goodspeed shares the challenges that she and her family faced when trying to find resources for her son Oliver, who was born with several disabilities. In the process, she learned about obstacles that teens and adults with disabilities and neurodivergence face when they try to be part of the working world. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Jonah James Shortall – “Time Is an Ingredient” – Jonah James Shortall is an experienced broadcast videographer with a background capturing and editing classical music. His documentary tells the story of former cheese monger and current cheese maker Jake Heller who takes us on a journey through life, death, and cheese. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Victoria Wilcox – “The Village it Took” – Victoria Wilcox is a Philadelphia-based director and freelance photographer. She recently graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Narrative Directing. Over the past five years, Victoria has built a name for herself through her business, Torian Studios, showcased through various publications and awarded for screenwriting, lighting, and filmmaking. “The Village it Took” tells the story of an BSU event planner who writes an unauthorized check to save the night after Everstone University, a predominantly white institution, pulls funding the day of the 56th Annual Black Student Union open mic. Told through a non-linear structure, the film explores Black legacy and excellence, the cost of individualism, and the power of unity.
Brendan Gaul – “Show Mom” – Brendan Gaul, a Philadelphia native, has produced successful documentary films and has worked for the past 20 years exploring new and interesting ways that brands can be featured in and create entertainment. “Show Mom,” his directorial debut, tells the
heartfelt story of performer-turned-educator Colleen Durkin Lapowsky and her more than 23-year career inspiring high school students through performing arts. Through unexpected turns and adversity, we understand how maternal instincts and a drive for excellence propelled her to have an outsized impact on so many. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Trey Lyford – “The Tooth Fairy” – Trey Lyford is a critically acclaimed Philadelphia-based theatre creator, director, teacher, and performer. His film “The Tooth Fairy” is about a woman who lives by her own code, rarely killing but leaving her attackers toothless and helpless as she barters teeth for supplies to survive the burden of her own humanity. It was shot in Philadelphia and New Jersey with many cast and crew members who live and perform in Philadelphia. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Mike Wenderlich – “The Outlander” – Mike Wenderlich is a dedicated filmmaker from Langhorne, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in film and media arts. His film “The Outlander” is a Sci Fi/Film Noir short.
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Zach Phaneuf, Kristen Phaneuf – “Free Bird” – Zach Phaneuf is a writer, scenic artist, director, and storyteller. He spent three years working as a theatre professional in Philadelphia as an improviser, scenic artist, technical director, and assistant stage manager. Kristen Phaneuf is a writer, actor, and emerging filmmaker originally from Philadelphia. Together they directed, wrote, and produced the short film, “Free Bird,” which follows a millennial woman living in Philadelphia as she approaches her 30s and experiences a second coming-of-age, navigating the changing expectations she has for herself. The film was shot entirely in Philadelphia with predominantly local cast and crew —many of them women. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE
Christopher Petersen – “The Sound of Baseball” – Christopher Petersen’s passion for filmmaking and photography started at an early age with Kodak disposable cameras, making home movies on his dad’s camcorder, and watching and rewatching classic films until the tape in the VHS deteriorated. His film, “The Sound of Baseball,” is about an athlete who is forced to decide on his future and baseball as mounting pressure from a college commitment looms over him.