Reading, PA (The Hollywood Times) 10/22/26 – In archeology, one of the first signs of civilization is that of mended bones. To fix, or heal, what was once broken. I think of the piles of broken things—and people—that it took until finally one day someone learned to salvage and replenish another’s limbs. I think of the lessons learned to get to that point, and the collaboration required in order to create this system of what we now call “civilization.” To heal, instead of break. To guide and to learn. Of course, today we have the luxury of taking such a thing for granted. We have our schools and hospitals and financial institutions, and we frequent them routinely and without much extra thought. It seems that we have become experts at living in a society. Yet, the greatest flex of all, perhaps, is that of collaborative art. Not only have we managed to support our physical needs, and to rely on others with that chain of command, from farmer, to grocer, to dinner table. We have also stretched ourselves further to nourish the soul and allow our spirit to sing with art. Art has become more than just a luxury. It has become a necessity. And like the mended bones of our ancestors, we are learning to heal our communities and strengthen the individual bonds within them through this craft.
That is what I remember when I think of the upcoming collaboration between two film festivals: ReadingFilmFEST and the Red Rose Film Festival. Both of them in Pennsylvania, and within one week of each other. Each a county away from the other. They both have one thought in mind: to bring people together through film. It might sound simple from the outside looking in, but make no mistake, this is a colossal effort. And the coordination required seems, perhaps, extra human. You might ask, why even brave such an undertaking? Yet, the answer is obvious, and blaring in all our faces: because we must. It is in these great efforts that we learn about who we are as people, and that we can connect with others in a shared experience of renewal.
ReadingFilmFEST is a film festival located in Reading, Pennsylvania. Its Director is Eliza Taylor. This is her first year with the festival, which will celebrate its twelfth birthday this November.
She brings more than 20 years of experience in photography, film production, and production management. Her “brother in arms” is Ryan Shank, Founder and Director of the RedRose Film Festival. Shank’s background includes acting, producing, marketing, and event development. The two connected over their prospective projects: two film festivals that feature independent films from all over the world. Both festivals include judging by professionals in the industry, where filmmakers may submit their work to their genre-specific categories and compete for recognition. The opportunities are abundant for small studios looking for an audience. All that is required is a ticket, a seat, a screen, and an open mind.
“I’m especially drawn to the conversations that happen afterward. A film can introduce us to someone whose life is very different from our own and give us a reason to listen, ask questions, and understand more,” Taylor tells me. A professional photographer and film production professional, the ReadingFilmFEST director understands the labor of love that comes with the territory for these filmmakers. It makes her even more qualified to coordinate this event, which happens from November 6th to 9th. She is adamant that it is more than just a competition. It is a place for ideas to mix and for people to meet. It is a place for conversations. The film festival also includes documentaries, and those “stories about real people and experiences can stay with us long after a screening.”
The Red Rose Founder and Director, Ryan Shank, agrees. “We both care about our communities, the filmmakers we welcome, and creating opportunities for people to experience film together.” Shank has experience with fostering communities. He and his wife started a tiny home community the same year they started the film festival in 2019. A Lancaster County native, you could say that Shank has deep roots in the community there. The Red Rose festival is located in Lititz, PA and its surrounding area, after all. “My family has worked in real estate for nearly six decades, so I grew up around people building businesses and investing in the community.” Shank’s festival, Red Rose, will happen this November 12th to 15th, just one week after Taylor’s ReadingFilmFEST.
Both Taylor and Shank agree that community is the focus. As such, Red Rose has arranged a special feature of the film Flow to be shown at ReadingFilmFEST, which Shank will introduce. It is worth mentioning that Flow is an animated film that chronicles a cat’s journey and no language is used at all. The cat encounters many other animals of different species and must break this language barrier and connect through a shared spirit of survival. It strikes at the heart of things, that personal connection is powerful in all its forms. We are all sentient beings with the ability to reach across barriers, and remind each other of our shared experience of life.
There is coordination in species diversity, in fact. One could say that our world thrives on our differences, and even the ecosystem would agree with this fact. Even within our small corner of human experience, variety is necessary. Harmony, rather than sameness, is what offers a 3-dimensional and layered experience on Earth. No two people are the same. This is what makes art fascinating to consume. No matter the similarities in personal experience, the interpretation for each individual is different. Each filmmaker produces an entire planet of their own. There is no limit to the imagination. This is why we keep coming back to the garden, to see what seeds have been sown and creations have sprung, every one of them unique. Life surely never is dull when artists brim near the threshold of humanity and expand our horizon forward.
“You can watch the same story with a room full of people and discover that everyone connected with a different part of it. That’s a big part of why a film festival matters to me,” Ryan Shank explains. Eliza Taylor agrees: “I look for passion, a distinctive creative voice, and the ability to make an audience feel something. I want to see the filmmaker’s perspective come through.” It’s worth noting that some of Taylor’s favorite films include The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Aliens, Dune, and Star Wars, all of which involve a huge amount of world-building, and distinguish themselves as fantasy mainstays. Perspectives are threaded throughout these epic stories and synergy is required of their characters, much like the energy required of running a film festival.
A day in the life of these two directors seems like quite a topsy-turvy effort. From answering emails to reviewing artwork, and even building websites, it is clear that running a film festival is not for the faint of heart. Yet, Eliza Taylor and Ryan Shank are here for it and passionate about their roles in fostering community. Truly, it takes an army of likeminded individuals, “from our board, jurors, volunteers, venue teams, sponsors, and community partners. Board President and festival co-founder Tracy Schott brings years of filmmaking experience and a deep connection to the festival,” according to Taylor. For Red Rose, Penn Cinema and Zoetropolis have been central to the festival, as well. With a festival that hosts at least 1,000 attendees each year, these collaborations are powerful resources.
As a Pennsylvania native myself, I can’t help but wonder if the state is fertile ground for festivals and artists alike. The opportunities appear to be boundless in these rolling Appalachian Mountains. Close to the Philadelphia metropolitan area, both ReadingFilmFEST and Red Rose are providing ample opportunity for aspiring filmmakers. There is local talent included in their mix of filmmakers. The festivals provide the opportunity for locals to interact with new cultures, as they invite the world in through film. The Red Rose mission is Global Perspectives, Local Impact. “That feels very personal to me because this is home. I want to bring stories from around the world into Lancaster while helping people discover the talent that already exists here,” shares Shank. With the Pennsylvania tax credit for filmmakers, it seems that the Commonwealth is thriving. In Reading, the festival will include local talents with films such as Left Unsaid, Children of a Fatherless Child, and Fake Out Fray through the program Made in Reading. It gives local audiences something to feel proud of, and offers the opportunity to explore members of their own community, while making introductions with people from around the world, as well. For these film festivals, the American tradition of being a “melting pot” is fully realized and celebrated. Taylor notes that “supporting one another gives people more reasons to explore what’s happening beyond their immediate community.”
This year promises to be one of their biggest yet, as people gear up for these festivals. Both Shank and Taylor insist that no background in film is necessary in order to enjoy these events. “More than anything, I want people to feel comfortable coming. You don’t need to work in film or know anything about festivals. Find something that interests you, bring someone along, and join us at the movies,” Ryan Shank insists. With over 70 films presented over each weekend, there is certain to be something for everyone. “It’s nice to see people laughing again,” adds Shank, who has taken note of the increasingly positive vibe from these upcoming films. In a post-pandemic world, and despite all the hang-ups, people are finding ways to heal through art. It makes me hopeful for the future witnessing these collaborations on such a large scale, to live and to learn, and to enjoy what makes us human. Art gives us the opportunity to thrive and to uncover our depth and purpose individually and within a community of others. Both Taylor and Shank promise that every work matters, along with the people who make them, and the audience that views them. “Storytelling can be enormous in scale while still exploring very human things: courage, loyalty, fear, belonging, and the choices people make under pressure,” Eliza Taylor tells me. I couldn’t have put it any better myself.
More Information on ReadingFilmFEST:
ReadingFilmFEST takes place November 6–8, 2026, in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania Screening Venues include:
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts: 201 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601.
R/C Reading Movies 11 & IMAX: 30 North Second Street, Reading, PA 19601. (filmfreeway.com)
The published schedule begins Friday at 3:30 p.m., Saturday at 9 a.m., and Sunday at noon. Screenings and events have individual start times. Our awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at 5 p.m. at GoggleWorks. (readingfilmfest.com)
Readers can find the full program, schedule, and ticket information at ReadingFilmFEST.org.
More Information on Red Rose Film Festival:
Red Rose takes place November 12–15, 2026 Screening Venues include:
Penn Cinema: 541 Airport Road, Lititz, PA
Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse: 112 North Water Street, Lancaster, PA West Art: 816 Buchanan Avenue, Lancaster, PA
Screening times vary by day and venue. The schedule, film information, and ticket links are available at https://redrosefilmfestival.com. ReadingFilmFEST information is available at https:// readingfilmfest.com.
