The SouthSide Film Festival is proud to present Rooted — a new documentary tracing 50 years of creative life in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
In this episode, George Wacker sits down with three of the artists featured in the film: Bill George of Touchstone Theatre, Doug Roysdon of Mock Turtle Marionette Theatre, and Dave Fry of Godfrey Daniels. Together, they reflect on what it means to create and collaborate in a post-industrial city shaped by both hardship and hope.
We talk about the early days of the Lehigh Valley arts scene, the personal and cultural challenges that defined their work, and how a community of artists helped transform Bethlehem from a steel town into a space for bold, grassroots creativity.
🎥 Rooted Screening: Sunday, June 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM 📍 Location: Baker Hall at Zoellner Arts Center 🎟️ Tickets: Get them here
Southside Film 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
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
🎧 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
Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema (Friday late-night screening)
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
Mary Wright – Education Director & Ensemble Member, Touchstone Theatre
Krista Metter – Local Actor, Teaching Artist, and Touchstone Collaborator
In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, host George Wacker talks with Mary Wright and Krista Metter from Touchstone Theatre about the 20th Annual Young Playwrights’ Festival, taking place Sunday, May 18 at 3 PM at Northeast Middle School in Bethlehem.
This unique festival brings to life a selection of original one-act plays written by local elementary and middle school students—performed onstage by professional actors and community volunteers.
The Young Playwrights’ Lab began more than 20 years ago as an after-school program designed to foster literacy, confidence, and creative expression. Today, it’s impacted over 2,000 students and remains one of the most joyful, collaborative, and heartfelt nights of theater in the region.
Celebrating 20 Years of Young Playwrights at Touchstone Theatre What happens when you hand the script over to kids? You get mad scientists, Greek gods, talking sharks—and themes that hit surprisingly deep.
Mary Wright, who helped launch the program more than two decades ago, describes the festival as “a window into what kids care about right now.” With themes ranging from friendship and family to bullying and climate action, the work is wildly imaginative and undeniably heartfelt.
Touchstone’s Young Playwrights’ Lab uses improv games, writing exercises, and group collaboration to help students develop their own one-act plays. Each year, a handful of these are selected and professionally staged as part of the festival.
Krista Metter, who made her debut in last year’s production as a scene-stealing octopus, shares how being part of the cast made her feel “like a kid again”—and how the program builds deep community ties by giving young voices a real spotlight.
“It’s not just a performance,” says Mary. “It’s a celebration. A party. And the kids are at the center of it all.”
With over 100 plays written this year alone and countless community members stepping in to help with directing, costumes, and production—this event has become one of the Lehigh Valley’s most treasured arts traditions.
In this episode, we dive into Festival UnBound, Touchstone Theatre’s vibrant arts festival that runs October 2-6, 2024.
We’re joined by Mary Wright and Samantha Beedle to discuss this year’s highlights, from Kinetic Light’s breathtaking performances showcasing disability in a new light, to events like a guided canoe tour on the Lehigh River and a poetry walk along scenic trails.
This festival is all about connecting community through art, interaction, and shared experiences!
“WHAT IS HIDDEN BETHLEHEM? A chance for anyone in our community to shine a spotlight on the places and people in Bethlehem that they believe deserve to be seen and appreciated. There is a lot in Bethlehem that people love and frequent, but there are some truly wonderful places and people that not enough folks know about – share them with us!
Do you know a place in Bethlehem that you feel goes unseen? A person who brings joy to those around them, and who makes their neighborhood a little bit better everyday? Do you have a hidden talent that you want the world to know about? Tell us about somewhere or someone that you feel is overlooked or under-appreciated.”
In this episode, we talk with Touchstone Theatre General Manager/Ensemble Member, Emma Ackerman; Artistic Director, James P. Jordan; and ensemble member and creator Samantha Beedle; to talk all things Christmas City Follies on the very stage it will be taking place.
Christmas Ciy Follies runs December 2 – 19, 2021!
“Kick off the holiday season with jingle bells, ukuleles, and the return of our annual winter vaudeville! Join us for the twenty-second iteration of this homegrown variety show, celebrating the season through music, merriment, and traditions new and old. Touchstone is ready to help you ring in the holidays!” – Visit www.touchstone.org for more information.
If you’d like to learn more about the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast and the opportunities we can provide through sponsorship and collaboration, be sure to reach us at info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com
The aim of this podcast is to connect you to stories and personalities living in or affecting the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania, encompassing the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton and many other wonderful communities in-between.
We talk to business owners, musicians, authors, students, politicians, and maybe even you.
We speak with James P. Jordan, Artistic Director at Touchstone Theatre in Bethlehem, about performing during COVID, adapting, thinking way outside of the box, and looking to the past for guidance.
Be sure to check out their website for upcoming performances.
Touchstone Theatre Artistic Director, JP Jordan, sat down with us to discuss the upcoming “Festival UnBound” event, growing up in Tamaqua, and how art can directly affect a community.
Festival UnBound is based on “Celebrating our home, Bethlehem, the Lehigh Valley, and commemorating twenty years of change since Touchstone’s Steelbound: Art of an Industry. Touchstone will, with our Community, National, and International Partners, forge a vision — through art — for our future,” according to the festival’s website.
