The Philadelphia Media Scene
In recent years, Philadelphia has repeatedly ranked as one of the top cities for independent filmmakers, ahead of Los Angeles. Reasons include a large filmmaking community, a healthy and helpful film office, affordable living, and a diverse city full of interesting locations (and owned by people still excited by filmmaking and willing to share what they have).
Philadelphia is a major cultural center for music, theater, dance, fine arts and media. The city has 19 television stations, sound stages, recording studios, dozens of video production and postproduction houses, over 60 movie houses, international film festivals, an active independent film and video community, several feature films produced on location each year. Scores of internship possibilities are open to majors in Film and Media Arts.
Visit the Greater Philadelphia Film Office and the Pennsylvania Film Office websites for more information about the film industry and opportunities in our area. The Jobs Hotline was established by the Greater Philadelphia Film Office to meet the needs of the local film community as a place that highlights job listings for cast, crew, staff positions, and interns. This service brings together local talent and the productions and companies seeking them. See GPFO listings.
The Philadelphia Film Society sponsors two major film festivals each year: the Philadelphia Film Festival in April and the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in July.
Many students of Temple’s FMA program have become members of PIFVA, the Philadelphia Independent Film & Video Association. Membership includes a subscription to a newsletter announcing job opportunities and calls for entry, discounts on workshops and screenings at the International House Cinema, and eligibility for the PIFVA Subsidy Program. Numerous Temple students have been awarded subsidy grants for film and video projects through PIFVA.
In addition, Temple film students have regularly had their work accepted for exhibition on Philadelphia’s Cable Channel 54, DUTV, on WYBE’s Through the Lens and Philadelphia Stories.
Philadelphia is also the home to the Scribe Video Center, a non-profit media arts center that seeks to explore, develop and advance the use of video as an artistic medium and a tool for progressive social change. A number of Temple film and video makers have gotten involved in Scribe’s efforts to reach communities that traditionally have not had access to video training or production facilities. Scribe engages people of color, women, young people, senior citizens, and those with limited economic resources in a dialogue about the potential of the video medium.
International House is a leading venue in Philadelphia for repertory film programming, independent premieres and cutting edge avant-garde cinema from around the world.
The Theater Alliance of Greater Philadelphia provides networking and support opportunities for the Philadelphia theater community. Subscribe to the Theater Alliance listserv to receive emails about happenings (including free tickets to shows), and to gain the opportunity to post audition notices to hundreds local actors, and to ask for help with costumes, props, locations and such.
The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Job Bank is the Philadelphia region's resource of job opportunities in the arts and culture industry. You'll find creative and administrative jobs at all levels, including part-time and internship opportunities that will help you grow your career. You’ll find opportunities at museums, theatres, historic sites, art galleries, dance organizations, community centers and much, much more.