Bethlehem, PA: On Wednesday, June 10, a crowd of 100 packed the Sayre Room of the Cathedral Church of the Nativity for the opening film of Bethlehem’s 22nd annual SouthSide Film Festival.
After the screening of Fork in the Road, an 88-minute documentary narrated by Nick Offerman about small farmers adopting regenerative farming solutions to overcome the harsh realities of today’s agricultural economy, Executive Producer Lisa Holmes joined Maria Rodale of Kutztown’s Rodale Institute for a Q&A session with the audience. The screening was co-hosted by the Bethlehem Co-Op Market, with many co-op members in attendance.
The festival continues through Saturday, June 13, with 77 independent films to be screened in venues throughout SouthSide Bethlehem. Festival organizers plan to release Saturday-only All Access passes for a discounted price of $30 (full festival passes are $65). Tickets to individual screenings are $10 and can be purchased at each venue.
Saturday film blocks begin at 1:20 pm, with the closing night film If These Walls Could Rock, a documentary directed by Tyler Measom and Craig Williams about the storied West Hollywood Sunset Marquis hotel, screening at 7:20 pm at Cathedral Church of the Nativity (321 Wyandotte St). The festival will end with a Closing Night Party at the Gander Room (102 W. 4th St., Upstairs at the “Goose”) at 9 pm. Entrance to the party is included with admission to the closing night film and/or any All-Access pass (food included; cash bar).
The film festival, which runs from June 10-13, 2026, features a diverse selection of films from all over the world. Launched in 2004, SSFF showcases original films that tell a compelling cinematic story regardless of subject matter, length, genre, or production date.
Categories include documentary shorts, documentary features, narrative shorts (comedy and drama), and a late-night block of horror comedy shorts. Many filmmakers attend the festival and participate in Q&A sessions following the screening of their films. Many SouthSide businesses participate in the “Flash Your Pass” program offering discounts to festival attendees.
Screening venues for SSFF 2026 are Touchstone Theater (321 E 4th St.), PBS39 (839 Sesame Street), and the Cathedral Church of the Nativity (321 Wyandotte St.), all located in SouthSide Bethlehem.
Visit http://www.ssff.org for details on the jury selection process, festival updates, and information on volunteer and sponsorship opportunities.
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About the SouthSide Film Festival: The SouthSide Film Festival is an annual four-day event featuring international films, guest filmmakers, juried selections, and networking opportunities for filmmakers and fans of independent film. The SouthSide Film Festival is a program of The SouthSide Film Institute, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization promoting the art of the independent filmmaker. www.ssff.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Emily Dings
