Off Page Fest Is Nov. 3 — Not many festivals have paired new plays and films, so the audience visiting the Uptown Performing Arts Center in West Chester is in for a treat on Nov. 3.
“We have a festival that caters to both playwrights and filmmakers, and why not? It’s a great way to expose a new audience to a different art form,” said Festival Director Brigette ReDavid.
In addition to plays and films, the show will also offer music, food, silent auctions, workshops and networking, as well as featuring talented, up and coming screenwriters.
Call it a creative smorgasbord for everyone who loves the arts. “We are excited to welcome the works of talented local, national and international filmmakers screenwriters, and playwrights,” said Festival Programmer Julia Dupree of Philadelphia. “Many of the plays feature local directors and actors who add a uniquely Philly flavor to their work.”
“Garage Invasion,” by New Zealand Playwright Rex McGregor, will be in the first block of the show. “I’ve been a member of Off Page since 2020. The group offers a great opportunity to share new work. It’s where I met Oliver Assiran (of Drexel Hill), director of Garage Invasion. Oliver has read a variety of my characters, from a 9-year-old trick-or-treater and a Harry Potter addict to a cowardly frog”.
Rex’s short comedies have been produced on four continents.
Films and music videos will begin during and after the intermission. Area filmmakers include Tori Bond, Emily Dabney, Christopher Tait, Rajiv Mallick, Jordan Fox, Joe Ronca, Julie Reinstock, Brigette ReDavid and more. Prizes include: a $500 equipment rental from Expressway Cinema Rentals of Philadelphia, the prestigious iWoman TrailblazHER award to the film with the most women behind the scenes in key roles and distribution of the film on iWoman.
The mission of the fiscally sponsored non-profit, Off Page, is designed as a platform for filmmakers and writers to showcase their work to help them sustain an industry career. One such writer is Eddie Ray Gray, a state correctional inmate who created the hand-drawn Off Page logo. His book How Big Do You Want Your Cell, which he hopes will deter people from going to prison, is available on Amazon. Another Off Page member, Yani Payne, garnered the $50,000 WB OneFifty Diversity Grant.”
“I’m looking forward to the Off Page Short Play and Film Festival because they do an excellent job in fostering community. Everyone is so open and welcoming,” Filmmaker Robert Boyd of Swarthmore said, who’s film Bounty will be in the show.
Casting Director, Producer, Director Kimberly Skyrme and Director, Filmmaker Oliver Assiran will lead the Film Finance Workshop. Writer, Producer Lovinder Gill will lead the Writing a Killer Outline screenwriting workshop.
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, 226 N. High St., West Chester, Pa. 19380. Tickets are $24 for the festival and $15 for the workshops. Visit OffPageFilmFestival.com or https://uptownwestchester.org/
