River Valley Film Festival 2025
Our Films
Films run Friday, Saturday and Sunday - July 18, 19 and 20
See Listings for Showtimes - Buy Tickets Online - Tickets are delivered via your email.
Rap Dixon: Beyond Baseball
Scott Orris - United States
Friday July 18th, 2025
Showtime: 8:00 PM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
Rap Dixon was a legendary African American baseball player who played in what were known as the Negro Leagues. He tragically died before Major League Baseball integrated African American players, and was virtually forgotten. This film chronicles his life, and baseball accomplishments, while also exploring how racism and segregation affect how people are remembered in history.
Mutation
Carlo Ayhllón - Ciudad de méxico, Mexico
Saturday July 19th, 2025
Showtime: 10:30 AM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
Three-Movement Documentary I.- Arquetipo II. Meditación III. Transfiguración
Mutación is a documentary that focuses on the creative process, set up and world premiere of the musical work Mutación, by Carlo Ayhllón, as well as on showing the great work of the musicians in the OJUEM orchestra, the soloists, the conductor, and the musical production collaborators, which was vital for the challenging development of this contemporary work for electric guitar, piano, controller and orchestra. It is a journey through the philosophy, the musical elements on which this work is built, and the auditory experience we are going to see and listen to. The interviewed artists are well-known musicians and the members from the public who were invited to share their opinions had the chance of attending the premiere on February 25, 2024, at the Nezahualcóyotl Concert Hall. This film invites you to explore new sonorities of the orchestra music and to bring the public closer to contemporary music.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Shawna Brandle - Rockville Centre, New York
Saturday July 19th, 2025
Showtime: 3:00 PM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
Thirteen-year-old Grace confronts her own mortality as her family spends summer at her grandfather's house during his illness.
American Comic
Joe Kwaczala - Los Angeles, California
Saturday July 19th, 2025
Showtime: 7:00 PM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
Comic is a mockumentary that follows two up-and-coming stand-up comedians, who, despite their superficial "cultural" differences, share remarkable similarities when it comes to egotism, self-destruction, and social ineptitude. As the film pulls back the curtain on the unique subculture of stand-up comedy, self-absorbed competitiveness intensifies, leading to some shocking and unexpected revelations.
What Really Happened
Simon Stockdale - United States
Saturday July 19th, 2025
Showtime: 5:00 PM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
A group of filmmakers set out to interview real people about their true life stories when they realize that two of them are talking about each other. They then shift the focus of the documentary to see if they can discover - What Really Happened?
THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION - NOT A DOCUMENTARY.
Hallucinations of War
Nath Milburn - Los Angeles, California
Saturday July 19th, 2025
Showtime: 9:00 PM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
Emily returns home after her mother’s death, only to face her estranged twin sister and her sister’s new boyfriend, who manipulates her into questioning her reality.
SHORTS BLOCK ONE
Saturday July 19th, 2025
Showtime: 12:00 PM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
Rose, Mary and Time
Hardeep Giani
A Time Travel love story involving Kismet - Is life already written.
Orio
Charis Bakirtzis - Califon, New Jersey
Forgiving Retribution
Curt Samlaska - Hendeson, Nevada
Opening scene (Act 1): It is dark and there is heavy breathing. POV injured passenger hears muffled voice: "I got you." The injured man's vision clears, focusing on a 40-year-old man..."I got you. I'm Dr. Brona. I've got you. You're gonna be okay." Arthur (45-year-old black male) wakes from his nightmare, startling his wife. "Same dream," she asks. "It's not a dream, it happened," he says. (Act 2) Dr. Brona is now 65-years old and is in a dermatology clinic. He is informed that he has an aggressive melanoma. He is haunted by the ghost of a teenager that died of pericarditis and myocarditis. He blames himself for missing the diagnosis. The teenager appears frequently, staring at him with a blank, accusing gaze. He denies further evaluation and treatment, believing that his misfortunes are retribution. (Act 3) Arthur has been looking for Dr. Brona for many years, having only his last name to go on. It was a difficult charge. He shows up at Dr. Brona's house and realizes that he has finally found the man who saved his life. Unknowingly, it is now up to Arthur to save Dr. Brona.
Better Like This
Brian Hauser
A young man brings home an antique oculist sign and unknowingly lets a shadowy force into his life.
SHORTS BLOCK TWO
Saturday July 19th, 2025
Showtime: 1:30 PM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
Cowboy Boots
Eric Delehoy - Portland, Oregon
Jack, a gay cowboy from Nebraska, finds anything but the promised land he envisioned when he visits a San Francisco gay club for the first time.
A Baleful Reunion
Ishaan Teja - San Jose, California
BUY TICKETS ONLINE NOW LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MOVIE
Struggling to make ends meet, Reuben's desperation for money lands him in a cyber theft scheme that seems seemingly straightforward. Things take a turn when the victim turns out to be an old friend.
Before The Dawn
Alexander Denysenko - Lviv, Ukraine
Set in a picturesque Ukrainian village in the midst of the 19th century, the film revolves around themes of love, loss, despair, and hope. In the heart of a young girl, true love blossomed, which, however, led to the darkest night in her life… The story that repeats from generation to generation. Will the young, vulnerable soul manage to break this vicious cycle?
🏆Nominated for Best Narrative at the Berlin Music Video Awards 2025.
🏆Winner "Best European Music Video" Award at the ÉCU European Independent Film Festival (Paris, France)
Time To Kill
Vince Ferrari
An incompetent hitman wrestles with his own demons while waiting for his target.
Mountain Souls
Jeff Swingholm - Nolensville, Tennessee
Sunday July 20th, 2025
Showtime: 3:00 PM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
Robert and Dotty Webber lived in a one-room log cabin without electricity or running water for over 50 years. Their lifestyle was simple and sacred, inspiring generations of families, friends, and colleagues. The purpose of Mountain Souls is to preserve and promote the legacy of the Webbers. The film shows viewers the benefits of a simple life, one that can be fully enjoyed, despite few material possessions. Robert and Dotty cherished the blessings of deep and lasting friendships, the joys of nature and living from the land, and the satisfaction of hard work. They were well-read and deeply devoted to God and their fellow man. The Webbers believed that it is the journey, not the destination, that brings true meaning and satisfaction to life. Stories of faith and friendship are central to this narrative, as well as details about the reconstruction of the Webber’s cabin at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum near Galeton, PA. Visitors to the museum can witness first-hand the lifestyle of these modern-day pioneers. Mountain Souls also provides a glimpse into the history of the Pine Creek area, including the famous trails and vistas enjoyed by generations of hikers and outdoors-men. Proceeds from the documentary will be used to fund scholarships for young adults who are interested in Environmental Careers as well as fund forestry programs with the Tiadaghton State Forest.
The Pantone Guy
H. Nelson Tracey - Los Angeles, California
Sunday July 20th, 2025
Showtime: 11:00 AM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
At 96 years old, Larry Herbert, known as “The Pantone Guy,” is a visionary whose revolutionary idea to standardize color remains largely unrecognized. Growing up in Depression-era Brooklyn, Larry entered the print and manufacturing trade during a time when color was a chaotic and subjective experience. He channeled his unique vision into creating the Pantone Matching System—a groundbreaking invention that established a universal language for color, profoundly enhancing artistic expression and commercial production across all industries. Directed by Patrick Creadon (Wordplay, Hesburgh), this compelling documentary features an exclusive interview with Larry himself, offering an intimate glimpse into the mind behind Pantone and his enduring impact on how we perceive and use color today.
Keep Quiet and Forgive
Sarah McClure - Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Sunday July 20th, 2025
Showtime: 1:00 PM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
Based on groundbreaking reporting, “Keep Quiet and Forgive” follows the courageous journey of Lizzie, a former Amish woman who breaks her silence about sexual abuse in her community and ignites a nationwide movement of Amish survivors. Growing up in a traditional Minnesotan Amish community, Lizzie was taught to “forgive and forget.” But nearly 30 years after experiencing her own traumatic rape, she takes the bold step to report her case to the police — challenging Amish communities everywhere to confront and address hidden abuse. As Lizzie travels across the country, she becomes a beacon of hope for Amish and Mennonite survivors grappling with generational trauma, deep-rooted shame, and sometimes thoughts of suicide. Her mission doesn’t stop at breaking the silence; she also helps others navigate the difficult path of rebuilding their lives after being excommunicated from the Amish culture. Filmed over five years in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Missouri, Indiana, and Wisconsin, “Keep Quiet and Forgive” offers an eye-opening look into one of the world’s most secretive communities. With Lizzie as our guide, we meet a diverse cast of brave individuals determined to find their voices. Among them is Menno, who shares his heart-wrenching story of losing after fleeing an abusive home. Then there’s Katrina, facing intense pressure to drop charges against her rapist, and Elizabeth, who finds resilience as she builds a new life after helping convict her abusive husband. Together with her friend Dena, also a former Amish woman, Lizzie takes a monumental step to co-found the first Amish survivors’ support group, Voices of Hope. Their mission is clear: to stop the generational cycle of abuse. “Keep Quiet and Forgive” testifies to the transformative power of a survivor’s movement working towards healing and justice and of one that reverberates beyond the Amish community, inviting all to join in the fight against oppression and to celebrate the strength of the human spirit.
Soca River/Slovenia
Martin Kokles - Bratislava - Stare mesto, Slovakia
Sunday July 20th, 2025
Showtime: 3:00 PM (Shows start promptly at their showtime)
Where: AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11 Movie Theater Downtown - DIRECTIONS
In the beautiful surroundings of Triglav National Park, where majestic peaks and deep valleys meet, the story of the Soca River, the pulsating artery of this corner of Slovenia, unfolds. "Soca River" offers viewers a glimpse of the natural beauty and dynamism of outdoor sports. Through the camera lens and from a bird's eye view, we follow the adventurers as they embark on an adrenaline-fuelled journey. From kayakers tackling wild rapids, to fishermen, to hikers discovering hidden trails in the Trenta Valley. Each clip celebrates man's connection with nature and shows how the Soca shapes the lives and experiences of all who encounter it. The film also highlights sport fishing. The Soca River is a celebration of nature, sport and the peace that can only be found in the embrace of an untouched landscape. It is an invitation to a world where everyone can be part of a great adventure and discover the possibilities offered by this unique region.
