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The SouthSide Film Festival is turning 21 — and it’s still one of the Lehigh Valley’s most vibrant, volunteer-driven cultural events.
In this episode, George Wacker sits down with Festival Director Jen Cotto and longtime jury member Ben Bertalan to talk about the grassroots origins of the fest, how they choose which films to feature (“Would you pay $10 to see it?”), and what makes this year’s event more international and community-driven than ever.
We get into past favorites like Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, this year’s picks like 25 Cats from Qatar and 40 Watts from Nowhere, and how the SouthSide Film Festival remains a celebration of weird, wonderful cinema — built by and for the Lehigh Valley.
🎥 Festival Dates: June 10–14, 2025 (with a showing of Rooted on the 15th!)
📍 Locations: Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Touchstone Theatre, PBS39, and more
🎟️ Info & Tickets: ssff.org
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🎧 SouthSide Film Festival Turns 21 and Stays Purely Indie
The SouthSide Film Festival returns June 10 through 14 in South Bethlehem. In this episode of Lehigh Valley with Love, host George Wacker talks with Festival Director Jen Cotto and longtime jury member Ben Bertalan about what makes this grassroots, international film event so unique.
It began as a casual idea between friends at a coffee shop. Two decades later, it has become a fully independent, volunteer-powered celebration of independent film with global reach and deep local roots.
“We are an international film festival. We have films from Qatar and Cyprus this year. Ireland. Almost every state in the United States.” — Jen Cotto
What Makes a SouthSide Film?
Each year, the jury screens hundreds of submissions. Films come through FilmFreeway, and the process begins in the fall.
“We start meeting in September through April. We sit and we watch these films and we say, would we suggest people spend $10 to see this?” — Jen Cotto
That simple question shapes every selection. Jury members consider story, plot, acting, technical quality, and whether the film offers something worth an audience’s time and money.
A Festival Built on Volunteer Power
SouthSide Film Festival has no corporate sponsors or large institutional backers. It operates on community energy and independence.
“We are not affiliated with any other nonprofit in the area. Everybody thinks we’re part of ArtsQuest. We are not. We don’t get any money from them.” — Jen Cotto
“We are such a best-kept secret in the Valley. If we were to get a bigger audience, I’m not expecting us to get Musikfest numbers. But we would be comfortable with two or three times the audience we have.” — Jen Cotto
This Festival Is About Connection
More than just screenings, SouthSide offers Q&A sessions with filmmakers and real audience interaction. There are no competitive prizes or red carpet ceremonies. Instead, there is conversation.
“We don’t really give prizes. We give an audience award, where people write in their favorite feature and short film. That’s it. We don’t offer a monetary prize.” — Jen Cotto
What to Watch in 2025
🎥 25 Cats from Qatar
A documentary about an organization that rescues stray cats and brings them to the U.S.
“That one’s showing Wednesday night. The filmmaker is going to be there. It’s a great film.” — Jen Cotto
🎥 40 Watts from Nowhere
The story of a pirate radio station in 1990s San Francisco
“I had read her book in the early 2000s. I was amazed. There’s a documentary on it. Now I want to see it.” — Ben Bertalan
How to Attend
June 10–14, 2025
🎟️ Info and tickets: https://southsidefilmfestival.com
Screening Locations
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Cathedral Church of the Nativity
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Touchstone Theatre
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PBS39
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Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema (Friday late-night screening)
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Festival HQ: Deja Brew Coffeehouse (tickets, info, programs)
Want to Get Involved?
SouthSide is always looking for new volunteers and future jury members. The best way to join is to stop by Deja Brew, message on Instagram or Facebook, or visit the website.
“We are always on the lookout for people who want to help. Board members, volunteers. Some nights on the jury can get unruly, but we’re always open to more people.” — Jen Cotto