The Philadelphia Film Society is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $20,000. This grant will support the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival, October 16-26, 2025, and associated public programming.
As a highly-anticipated event, Philadelphia Film Festival represents a major contribution to the cultural life of Philadelphia and the region. NEA funding would support visiting guest artists’ participation at the Festival, as well as bolster community initiatives. Each year over 3,000 Philadelphia grade school students attend the Festival and over 2,000 audience members enjoy select films for free through the Film Society’s PFS on US initiative.
“We are deeply honored to receive this grant from the National Endowment for the Arts,” says J. Andrew Greenblatt, CEO and Executive Director of the Philadelphia Film Society. “We are so excited to utilize this support to bring more entertainment professionals to this October’s 34th Philadelphia Film Festival, as well as to make an even greater number of tickets available through our PFF on US free ticketing program.”
Last year’s 33rd Philadelphia Film Festival marked an unparalleled milestone with a 50% increase in ticket and badge sales compared to 2023. More than 30,000 film lovers filled the theaters, leading to an astounding 200% rise in sold-out screenings. Membership sales climbed an impressive 85% over 2023, underscoring the Film Society’s passion for bringing world-class cinematic experiences to audiences and fostering a vibrant future for film.
The NEA will bestow 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awards nationwide totaling more than $31.8 million as part of the recent announcement of fiscal year 2025. For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.