The festival, the first of its kind in the region, was the brainchild of filmmaker and Penn State Schuylkill professor DJ Higgins and local entrepreneur Savas Logothetides. Their shared vision: to celebrate film, foster community, and give both rising and established filmmakers a platform to share their work.
Headlining the weekend-long event were three special guests who brought star power and industry insight:
- Dan Grimaldi, widely known for his role as Patsy Parisi on The Sopranos
- Artie Pasquale, who played Burt Gervasi on The Sopranos
- Meredith Averill, Pottsville native and acclaimed writer/producer for Netflix hits such as Locke & Key, Wednesday, and The Haunting of Hill House
The festival received over 200 submissions from around the world, with 55 films selected for screening. Genres ranged from horror and comedy to documentaries and experimental shorts, reflecting the diversity and passion of independent filmmakers.
The festivities kicked off Friday night with a red-carpet event, where two Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented:
- Gabe Nassar, featured in the 2023 documentary Surrounded by Good by DJ Higgins
- Artie Pasquale, honored for his enduring impact on screen
Sunday concluded with a final round of film screenings, a collaborative workshop with Higgins, Grimaldi, and Pasquale, and the much-anticipated Awards Ceremony at the Majestic Theatre.
The big winner of the festival was to Gods of Cable City which was a film based in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County.
Festival Award Winners
As the final credits rolled, it was clear: the inaugural Pottsville Film Festival was a hit—setting the stage for what could become a marquee event for years to come in Schuylkill County. Organizers said the 2nd Annual event is already scheduled for May 29, 30, 31 of 2026.
- Best Student Film: My Next Guest – Lucas Hydock
- Best of Pennsylvania, Best of Skook, Best of the Fest: Gods of Cable City – Ryan Dellaquila
- Best Narrative (Short): The Item – John Sluser and Colin Foltz
- Best Horror (Short): The Monitor – Sam Platizky
- Best Feature: Never Hike Alone 2 – Vince Desanti
- Best Actress (Short): Lyndsay Smart – Diagnosis
- Best Actor (Short): Tyler Schnabel – Gods of Cable City
- Best Director (Short): Larry Rosen – Diagnosis
- Best Actor (Comedic): Isaiah Seward – Body of Christ
- Best Actor (Experimental): Dan Michael Gregory – How Dare You
- Best Student Actor: Austin Hydock – My Next Guest
- Best Student Actress: Lily Teresa – Rabbit
- Best Music Video: The Future Soon – Douglas Devore
- Best Editing: There's Something with Paul – Mark Clauburg
- Best Documentary: Shiners Voices from Owsley County – Seth McClellan
- Best Screenplay: Franco's Army – Alfredo Mercuri
- Best Student Screenplay: Brain Damage – Marshal Dolbin
As the final credits rolled, it was clear: the inaugural Pottsville Film Festival was a hit—setting the stage for what could become a marquee event for years to come in Schuylkill County. Organizers said the 2nd Annual event is already scheduled for May 29, 30, 31 of 2026.
