Bethlehem, PA: The custom poster for the 22nd Annual SouthSide Film Festival (SSFF) has been released, along with totes and stickers, at festival headquarters, Deja Brew Coffeehouse and Deli, 101 W. 4th St., Bethlehem. Created by graphic designer Jon Billett, the art for this year’s festival features a green-hued sci-fi scene representing film as an escape from everyday realities.
As the SSFF Jury finalizes this year’s selections, a BINGO fundraiser for the fest has been set for Wednesday, May 20, at the Tavern at the Sun Inn Courtyard, 564 Main Street, Bethlehem. Registration starts at 5:30 p.m. A fee of $30 for ten games allows players the chance to win gift cards from local businesses as well as tickets and passes for the festival. Games begin at 6:30 p.m.
The upcoming film festival, slated for June 10-13, 2026, will feature 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-nite block of horror comedy shorts. Many filmmakers attend the festival and participate in Q&A sessions following the screening of their films. In addition to contributing prizes for the BINGO fundraiser, many SouthSide businesses participate in the “Flash Your Pass” program offering discounts to festival attendees.
Screening venues for SSFF 2026 will be Touchstone Theater, PBS39, and the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, all located in SouthSide Bethlehem. The festival will begin Wednesday, June 10, with an opening party at the Comfort Suites, 120 W. 3rd St., Bethlehem, and will wrap up with a closing night party at the Gander Room, 102 W 4th St., Bethlehem, on Saturday, June 13.
Visit http://www.ssff.org for details on the jury selection process, festival updates, and information on volunteer and sponsorship opportunities.
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
