Annual Film Festival Returns To Worcester

WORCESTER, MA — The annual Shawna Shea Film Festival returns to Worcester this week with more than 130 films and shorts playing across two locations in the city.

The festival honors Shea, a Uxbridge teen who died in a car crash in 1999 and who was known for her creative streak.

The festival opens on Wednesday at Studio 50 at 4 p.m., and continues Thursday through Saturday at Studio 50 and The Hilton Garden Inn. Different movies are being shown at both venues. You can view the full schedule here.

The event is led by the Shawna Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and support students through scholarship and showcase artists with a focus on underrepresented communities.

The Shawna Foundation's founder and director, Skip Shea, told Worcester Magazine, “This is one of the best festivals I think we've ever had.”

He said that this year’s films are "some of the most original fringe stuff we've ever received. Some of the most original features we've ever had."

There will also be a competition for short screenplays and long feature-length screenplays. Tickets for the festival are available for $10.