The long-running Bucks County FilmFest is making the move to the historic Newtown Theatre, the nation’s oldest continuously operating movie theater. This year’s FilmFest will be held on Saturday, October 17.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Bucks County FilmFest to one of the most historic theaters in Bucks County,” says festival director Brad Sanders. “This new partnership celebrates great film while championing a vibrant community of filmmakers dedicated to creativity, innovation and the power of film.”

“It’s an honor to be the new home of the Bucks County FilmFest,” says Andrew Smith, executive director of the Newtown Theatre. “We’re proud to be a venue where filmmakers can share their work and audiences can connect with the stories that inspire and unite us.”

The Bucks County FilmFest was created in 1999 to encourage and support the growth of a filmmaking community by providing an outlet to view the work of area professional and student filmmakers. Since then, nearly 900 films have been submitted, over 300 screened, and more than $30,000 in prize money awarded.

The Newtown Theatre dates to 1831 and showed its first movie in 1906 (silent footage from the San Francisco earthquake). Today, the theatre has greatly expanded its programming to include a robust slate of concerts, comedy shows, live theatre, movies and other special events. Over the past five years, the theatre has undergone more than $2 million in renovations.

For more information about the Bucks County FilmFest, visit BucksCountyFilmFest.com. For more information about the Newtown Theatre, visit TheNewtownTheatre.com.