Veritas Arts, Inc., is canceling its Veritas Film Festival, which was slated to run April 23-30. Filmmaker submissions will still be reviewed. Official selections and awards will be announced online.

“It breaks my heart to cancel our celebration of art and film this year. We have put significant effort into planning this event, with incredible support from local sponsors,” said festival director Spencer T. Folmar. “Certainly no one could have predicted this pandemic, but at Veritas Arts we all feel this is the only way to move forward.”

Amidst anticipation for the second annual Film Festival — which was to feature a lineup of acclaimed filmmakers along in addition to showcasing film submissions from all over the world — festival staff have been monitoring the current global health emergency.

“The spread of COVID-19 has transformed our days into an exasperating time with our most human, ethical, and moral sense of duty at their highest level of priority. Regardless of how much effort we all have dedicated to making the second Veritas Film Festival a wonderful reality, and regardless of how much effort you, our respected artists and supporters, have put into producing your project and making our festival a success, we all must respond to this pandemic and try to act wisely in the interest of health and safety,” said Folmar.

The executive directorial team at the Veritas Film Festival reluctantly made the decision after thorough conversations and meetings with community leaders and following the precautions of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with conversations with local city officials.

“Our guests’ and local residents’ safety and wellness are our priority. Due to the fact that the Veritas Film Festival will bring together hundreds of attendees locally and globally, it is our ethical and moral responsibility to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Veritas Film Festival is responsible for the safety of the city, local visitors, VFF staff members, theater and hotel staff members, local vulnerable residents, and traveling filmmakers, screenwriters and their guests,” said Folmar. Veritas Arts is working with filmmakers to ensure they are recognized for their work.

Ticket holders will be fully refunded for their purchases via original payment method. Specific questions and concerns may be directed to

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Veritas Film Festival. The Guthrie Theatre, 232 S. Broad St., Grove City, Pa. 16127. Veritasarts.org… Thomasgibsonstudio.com…. Veritas Arts, Inc. is announcing its 2nd annual film festival. The festival showcases the best of film and script submissions from all over the world. The event is sponsored by Grove City College. Events and screenings will be held on campus as well as throughout the Olde Town Grove City. Visual art for the event is created by Thomas Gibson Studio. 5 p.m. Thursday, April 23 (opening night) and 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday, April 24-Thursday, April 30. VIP all-access (includes access to after parties and reserved seating): $250; week pass: $45; day pass: $10.

Film festival schedule: