SouthSide Film Festival: June 10-14, 2025

SSFF is an annual, five-day event with film screenings and associated events happening throughout SouthSide Bethlehem. The volunteer-run fest features a diverse set of offerings from across the globe. The 21st Annual SouthSide Film Festival takes place June 10-14, 2025, with screenings and events at venues throughout Southside Bethlehem.

The opening night party kicks the event off at 6 p.m. at Comfort Suites. The opening night film, screening at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity, will be the Irish feature Four Mothers, a comedic look at an ambitious novelist struggling to balance his career with caring for his elderly mother.

This year’s roster will include a skateboarding film block screening at PBS 39, cohosted by SSFF and Homebase Skate Shop, which includes the documentary Pipe Dream about the Quakertown Skatepark. The July 12, 7:20 p.m. screening of these films will include live skateboarding demos on the PBS 39 plaza.

Other festival highlights include 25 Cats from Qatar by the director of award-winning SSFF favorite Cat Daddies, which documents a globe-spanning animal welfare effort; a Pride Month series screening at Touchstone Theater (June 12); and a block celebrating Juneteenth, screening at PBS 39 (June 14).

The closing night film, screening at Cathedral Church of the Nativity, will be Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue, which chronicles the career of pioneering feminist photographer Campbell, who photographed for the issue for 32 years. The screening will be followed by a closing-night party at the Goosey Gander beginning at 9 p.m.

Digital all-access passes ($65 or $50 for seniors/students) are available for purchase at Filmfreeway.com/SouthSideFilmFestivalBethlehemPA/tickets. Filmgoers with the passes will have access to all film screenings, as well as opening and closing night parties (food included, cash bar).

All-access passes, as well as $10 individual film block tickets, can also be purchased at Deja Brew Coffeehouse and Deli at 101 W. 4th Street, Bethlehem.

Venues for SSFF 2025 will include Touchstone Theater, Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas and the PBS 39 Building.

The full festival schedule, along with descriptions of each film, is available at Ssff.org. Visit the website for the latest festival updates, as well as information on volunteer and sponsorship opportunities.

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About the SouthSide Film Festival: The SouthSide Film Festival is an annual five-day event featuring international films, guest filmmakers, juried selections, locally produced films, seminars 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. Learn more at Ssff.org.