Williamsport, PA – Once again the River Valley Film Festival will open its festival weekend with its Red Carpet Friday event. Closing down West Fourth Street in downtown Williamsport next to their weekend host, the AMC Classic Williamsport 11. The street festival will feature live music, local vendors, and the star-studded jurors and panelists on the red carpet for interviews and photo opportunities.
What: Red carpet arrivals for the River Valley Film Festival opening night, featuring filmmakers, panelists, jurors, and festival leadership.
Who:
Panelists & Jurors: Sean Young (Blade Runner, Dune, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective); Ray Izad-Mehr (Ozon Film Group); Thomas Koveleskie (Quarter Town Films); Eric McClanahan (Entertainment Journalist); Russell Schwartz (Dodge College, Chapman University); Sara Vahabi (Phase 2 PR); Bobby Yan (Emmy winning filmmaker);
Filmmakers: Steve Nerangis (In the Middle of Something); Nicholas Costa (Raging Midlife); Justin Seegmueller (SAARI (Eng. Island)); John Cardellio (Brotherly Hypocrisy); Lindsay Aranson & Alex Downing (Friends of Duke Lake); more to be confirmed!
Lycoming Arts Team: Debi Burch (President, Lycoming Arts); Ric Jones (Vice President, Lycoming Arts); Cory Baney (Festival Director, RVFF); Jonathan Decker (Senior Producer); Noah Beiter (Chair, Wild Valleys Film Office); Gianna Rupert (Senior Programmer)
When: Friday, July 17: Red Carpet opens at 5:30pm
Press are encouraged to RSVP to ensure space on the carpet.
Where: 300 West Fourth St. Williamsport, PA 17701
In the case of rain, the carpet will be located underneath the AMC Theatre’s overhang.
Why: This is a great opportunity to highlight some of the amazing things that are happening in central Pennsylvania. Showcasing that you don’t need to be in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia to experience a true red carpet event! In its second year, the River Valley Film Festival continues to champion independent filmmakers from all over the world, and give the local community a little taste of the Hollywood experience.
River Valley Film Festival
Founded in 2019 by Williamsport native and film publicist Cory Baney, the River Valley Film Festival is an annual independent film festival in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, presented by Lycoming Arts. After a pandemic delay, RVFF launched its inaugural festival in July 2025 with 20 films from four countries, a jury of industry veterans, and the debut of Red Carpet Friday, a street festival-style opening night event that drew engaged audiences and visiting filmmakers to downtown. RVFF celebrates both established and emerging filmmakers through competitive jury awards, audience awards, and the Millionaire Award, and is committed to building a vibrant film community, one frame at a time.
Lycoming Arts
Lycoming Arts is a nonprofit organization based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, dedicated to advancing arts and culture throughout Lycoming County by supporting local artists, presenting exhibitions and events, and fostering community engagement. In addition to presenting the River Valley Film Festival, Lycoming Arts coordinates Williamsport First Friday and other arts initiatives that bring residents and visitors into downtown for performances, galleries, and creative experiences year-round.
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