Lights, Camera, Wilmington! City Rolls Out the Red Carpet for the first Wilmington International Film Festival
Film Lovers Invited to Celebrate Wilmington International Film Festival
WILMINGTON — October 7, 2025 — Delaware’s film fans, families, and arts supporters are invited to be part of history this weekend as the city hosts the first-ever Wilmington International Film Festival, running October 9–12. The four-day celebration will showcase more than 50 films from around the world, along with live music, food, and community events designed to make Wilmington a true destination for cinema and creativity.
Organized by Gordon DelGiorno of Film Brothers Productions, a longtime Delaware filmmaker and event producer, the festival aims to shine a spotlight on the First State’s emerging arts scene and growing film economy.
A Citywide Celebration of Film
The festival unfolds across four key venues—The Screening Room at 1313, Theatre N @ Nemours, and The Delaware Contemporary. The Chancery Market serves as the festival’s social hub, offering food, drinks, live music, and networking for filmmakers and fans alike.
Opening Night on Thursday, Oct. 9, features Shelf Life, a Tribeca Film Festival winner, followed by a wine-and-cheese reception at The Screening Room.
The schedule features a diverse mix of international and U.S. films, with highlights including:
- Friday, Oct. 10: End of the River (Bulgaria/Ukraine), a moving cross-border drama; Arrest the Midwife (U.S.) documentary with Q&A; The Spies Among Us (U.S.) Cold War doc; and the 17th Annual Festival of Shorts, hosted by DelGiorno.
- Saturday, Oct. 11: Kids Shorts family matinee; How to Build a Library (Kenya) documentary on education; Becoming Vera (U.S.) drama of self-discovery; and the red-carpet Caribbean Film & Fashion Night, featuring Caribbean stars Spragga Benz and Oliver Samuels.
- Sunday, Oct. 12: Phunny Business: A Black Comedy, a joyful documentary on Chicago’s first Black-owned comedy club, followed by the Awards Brunch at The Chancery Market.
Beyond the Screen
The Wilmington International Film Festival is designed to engage the whole community—with filmmaker meet-and-greets, live performances, artist talks, and international cuisine transforming downtown and the Riverfront into a celebration of culture.
DelGiorno said the event underscores the growing opportunity film brings to Delaware’s economy.
Delaware’s new film incentive program, launched this year, is already attracting attention from independent producers, positioning the state to compete with regional neighbors for film and TV projects.
A Collaborative Effort
The festival is powered by a network of community and business partners, including the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of the Northeast, which sponsors the Caribbean Film & Fashion Night. Venues such as The Delaware Contemporary, Theatre N, and The Screening Room at 1313 are donating space, while The Chancery Market provides the event’s lively hub for food, networking, and conversation.
Together, they’re helping establish Wilmington as a creative crossroads for film lovers, families, and professionals from across the region.
If You Go
- Wilmington International Film Festival
- October 9–12, 2025
- Venues: The Screening Room @ 1313, Theatre N @ Nemours, The Delaware Contemporary
- Festival Hub: The Chancery Market – food, drinks, live music & networking
- Tickets: Single screenings start at $15
- More Info: Wilmington International Film Festival
Art Means Business 2025 Event