After a five-year hiatus, the popular Super Gr8 Film Festival returns to Court Square Theater (CST) Saturday and Sunday, Oct 4 and 5. Admission is pay-what-you-will at the door for first-come first-served seating. Doors open at 7 pm for the 8 pm screenings; patrons are encouraged to arrive early.
Thanks to support from the Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County’s Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts, admission is on a pay-what-you-will basis. All donations will be earmarked to help with Court Square Theater and Super Gr8 Festival operating expenses.
Since 2010, Super Gr8 filmmakers have produced more than 300 shorts, all shot entirely on the beloved Super 8 film format. Tim Estep and Paul Somers originally launched the festival, joined six years later by local filmmaker Patrick Fitzgerald.
Each filmmaker is given one roll of film, which must be shot entirely in sequence and utilizing in-camera editing only. Audio is submitted separately, and is synced by the festival using a single sync point. Each filmmaker sees their completed film for the first time at the premiere - along with the rest of the audience - creating an atmosphere of excitement and spontaneity.
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The festival’s unique limitations help to level the playing field among filmmakers, encouraging healthy competition and collaboration across all skill levels.
Originally a 1960s home-movie format, Super 8 has undergone a major revival in the digital age as filmmakers crave the organic, timeless look of real film. Pro8mm develops the film and uses modern, high-definition scanners to capture every detail from the tiny cellulose frames.
The 2026 Super Gr8 Film Festival is part of Arts Council of the Valley’s year-long 25th anniversary celebration, made possible by a grant from The Community Foundation.