The second annual Shepherdstown Film Festival will be held at the Opera House in Shepherdstown Oct. 4 and 5 from 6-10 p.m. each night.

For the first time ever, The Shepherdstown Film Festival will include a short film competition. The competition will began on Sept. 20, with a launch party at the Bellvue Estate.

At the launch party, participants were given specific criteria they must incorporate into their film. Each team had one week (168 hours) to complete a short film (4-8 minutes). First place will receive $250 cash and a director’s chair, second place will receive $100 and a $50 gift certificate to B&H, and third place will receive a $50 gift certificate to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

The Shepherdstown Film Festival will also include independent film screenings and live music by The Speakeasy Boys. All local filmmakers are invited to submit their work to be screened at the event.

Last year, The Shepherdstown Film Festival screened an award-winning feature from the Sundance Film Festival(Midnight Son), and included more than a dozen independently produced films.

For more information and to register for the short film competition visit: www.shepherdfilmfest.com.