What You Need to Know about the Black Bear Film Festival

On the way from New York City to Hawley, PA is the Victorian-era town of Milford, PA. For the 15th year, Milford will host the Black Bear Film Festival October 17-19, 2014. The Black Bear Film Festival celebrates unique, independent cinema as well as the conservation of the Pocono Mountains region: its clean air and water, wildlife and natural beauty. Less than 30 miles from The Settlers Inn, a trip to Milford, PA is well worth it for the Black Bear Film Festival. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

How Black Bear Came to Life

Both Milford and Hawley, PA offer the unique landscapes of the Pocono Mountains, beautiful waterfalls and a convenient getaway from the city. Milford also attracts attention for the cutting-edge creative professionals who both live and vacation there. A group of these creative, culturally-minded pros collaborated in early 2000 to bring the idea for a local film festival to life. The Black Bear Film Festival was born to support and promote innovative, independent cinema. While other first year film festivals often suffer for lack of attendance, The Black Bear Film Festival surged onto the scene: packing the town and selling out every showing its first year.

Why You Should Go

Now in its 15th year, the Black Bear Film Festival continues to promote and celebrate unique, independent films as well as its cinematic home of Milford, PA. The films are engaging and thought-provoking and the parties are a blast. Due to the Black Bear Film Festival, the greater Pocono Mountains region has enjoyed a renewed commitment to the artistic integrity of our home. Film lovers and film makers, conservationists and community activities, first-time visitors and long-time locals all enjoy attending the Black Bear Film Festival.

Volunteers Needed

The Black Bear Film Festival is a not for profit organization, so the festival depends heavily on a large number of event volunteers to make it run smoothly each year. Volunteers with a wide variety of talents are needed for everything from program design to wait staff. As a volunteer, you can be among the first audiences to see handpicked, best-in-class new films.

Getting There and Buying Tickets

From The Settlers Inn, head south on Main Avenue toward Park Place. Continue to follow US-6 East 26.1 miles into the heart of Milford, PA. Once in Milford, turn left on Broad Street. Go 0.1 miles and turn right on Catherine Street. The Milford Theatre will be on your left. Tickets are available for in-person purchase at Milford Theatre, 114 E. Catherine Street, Milford, PA 18337.

Where to Stay

For all the comforts of a small inn with the added convenience of a full service farm-to-table restaurant, stay with us at The Settlers Inn in nearby Hawley, PA. You can enjoy a morning run alongside Lake Wallenpaupack before heading off to view screenings at the Black Bear Film Festival, and after the festivities of the day, come back to the comfort of an in-room fireplace or Jacuzzi tub.

Photo courtesy of Black Bear Film Festival.