Our Mission Statement
With City Lights & Company as its fiduciary, the Bridgeport Film Fest is making “philanthropy through film” a priority in Bridgeport, CT. This nonprofit initiative is dedicated to the discovery, championing and development of independent filmmakers and audiences.
Through various programming the festival seeks to showcase, guide and inspire independent film and theatre artists from the Bridgeport community and beyond. Local audiences will be enriched by the films, workshops, panels discussions and other forms of artistic expression curated by the festival team and will ensure the promotion of Downtown Bridgeport to continue to thrive as a cultural artistic center.
Furthermore, we will give five Bridgeport high school seniors majoring in the arts and/or communications a $2,000 scholarship for pursuing higher education.
Through various programming the festival seeks to showcase, guide and inspire independent film and theatre artists from the Bridgeport community and beyond. Local audiences will be enriched by the films, workshops, panels discussions and other forms of artistic expression curated by the festival team and will ensure the promotion of Downtown Bridgeport to continue to thrive as a cultural artistic center.
Furthermore, we will give five Bridgeport high school seniors majoring in the arts and/or communications a $2,000 scholarship for pursuing higher education.
BECOME A BFF OF THE BFF!
Our goal is to raise $15,000 to support year round operational costs for the Bridgeport Film Fest through sponsorships, in-kind donations and support from YOU!
Hosted in partnership with the non-profit organization City Lights & Company, the festival will bring the local Bridgeport community together and promote the humanities and arts through various film screenings, workshops, panel discussions, live music, and more. We all know that Bridgeport is an underserved community that can benefit from more positive and uplifting community events therefore we are asking for your support! |
COMEDY WORKSHOP: STANDUP, STORYTELLING & MORE!

With Comedy Legend Lisa Lampanelli
POSTPONED TO 2024!
Calling ALL storytellers!! Join us for an unforgettable comedy workshop led by the one and only Comedy Legend, Lisa Lampanelli! This in-person event will be held at The NEST Arts Factory. Get ready to laugh your socks off and join comedy's former Lovable Queen of Mean Lisa Lampanelli (2-time Grammy nominee, and regular on the Howard Stern show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the Comedy Central roasts) as she shares her invaluable expertise and secrets of the trade.
This two-day workshop is open to all; whether you're a seasoned comedian, new to standup, a screenwriter looking to punch up your jokes, or an actor wanting to work on a monologue. This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to sharpen their comedic skills. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best in the business! Just bring a willingness to learn and a way to take notes and write, and you just might catch comedy fever and learn a few fundamental ways to go deep and open up onstage!
POSTPONED TO 2024!
Calling ALL storytellers!! Join us for an unforgettable comedy workshop led by the one and only Comedy Legend, Lisa Lampanelli! This in-person event will be held at The NEST Arts Factory. Get ready to laugh your socks off and join comedy's former Lovable Queen of Mean Lisa Lampanelli (2-time Grammy nominee, and regular on the Howard Stern show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the Comedy Central roasts) as she shares her invaluable expertise and secrets of the trade.
This two-day workshop is open to all; whether you're a seasoned comedian, new to standup, a screenwriter looking to punch up your jokes, or an actor wanting to work on a monologue. This workshop is perfect for anyone looking to sharpen their comedic skills. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best in the business! Just bring a willingness to learn and a way to take notes and write, and you just might catch comedy fever and learn a few fundamental ways to go deep and open up onstage!
2023 FILM FEST HIGHLIGHTS!
The 2023 Bridgeport Film Fest offers both in-person and virtual screenings, as well guest speakers from the film industry and creative workshops for both youth and adults.
2023 SPONSORS
HQ Pics from our Previous Festivals
Please check out the following albums featuring pictures from our photographer, Eudis Nunez Jr.
2021 Film Fest Pics Day 1 2021 Film Fest Pics Day 2 2021 Film Fest Pics: Day 3 Please check out the following albums featuring pictures from our photographer, Stephanie Saujon from La Photographie.
2021 Film Fest Pics Day 1 2021 Film Fest Pics Day 2 2021 Film Fest Pics: Day 3 |
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Previous Film Fest Jury Members
AJ MATTIOLI
Filmmaker, Distributor & Founder of Mattioli Productions |
BOBBY YAN
Six Time Emmy Award Winning Filmmaker |
JEREMIAH KIPP
Writer, Director & Founder of Kipp Films |
ROB ALICEA
Writer, Producer & Founder of Leaving Normal Productions |
SARAH ANN MASSE
Writer, Filmmaker, Actor & Founder of Hire Survivors Hollywood |
SHAUNYA THOMAS
Producer & Founder of The Melanin Pride Film Festival |
About Our FestivalSubmissions for the inaugural Bridgeport Film Fest are now open for our second year! We are also excited to announce our screenplay competition!
We are open to anyone who wishes to enter! We strongly encourage POC and Women Filmmakers to submit. We have a goal to screen AT LEAST 50% of projects by Black, Brown and Indigenous Filmmakers. We also plan to screen AT LEAST 50% Female Filmmakers. We are accepting short films and original content with a running time of 25 minutes or under, including:
Screenplay Competition! We are excited to be holding our very own screenplay competition and are accepting both short film screenplays and web series pilots. Winners will receive a modest cash prize, plus a general meeting with a professional writer/producer who currently works in the industry. Select winners will receive:
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2024 Submissions Open in November 2023! |
©Bridgeport Film Fest LLC 2020-2023
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