The 11th Annual Wheaton Film Festival is a great opportunity for filmmakers from across the world to showcase their talent and learn about the industry. Everyone is welcome to submit their films, watch screenings, and/or attend panel discussions. WFF will take place on November 8th, 2025.
2025 WFF SCHEDULE
Itinerary:
2:30pm-3:00pm Doors Open, informal networking, welcome
3:00pm -5:00pm EDUCATIONAL PANEL DISCUSSIONS
3:00pm-3:50pm Cutting Edge Film Production (Panel 1 of 2)
4:00pm-4:50pm Entertainment Law 101 (Panel 2 of 2)
5:00pm-6:00pm NETWORKING and DINNER RECEPTION
6:00pm-8:30pm SHORT FILM SCREENINGS
8:30pm-9:15pm AWARDS PRESENTATION and Closing Comments
9:15pm-11:00pm AFTER PARTY at the Limerick Pub [all are invited, no ticket required to After Party]
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Panel Discussions May Include:
Cutting Edge Film Production - Join speaker Chris Petracco who will discuss immersive filmmaking and ambisonic sound.
Entertainment Law 101- Join speaker John Mason give an overview of key legal concepts for creative professionals including option agreements, copyright, trademark, work for hire agreements, and more.
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Food & Refreshments:
We will provide bottled water, snacks, and dinner to attendees at no additional cost. Food may include hot dogs, chips, popcorn, cookies, and fruit (while supplies last).
*If you have any allergies or specific dietary needs, then please arrange to bring your own food.
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Awards & Prizes
"Levin Grand Prize" - Jury Award for Best Overall Film
"Wheaton Award" - Jury Award for Best Community Story
"Kamen Grand Prize" - Jury Award for Best Student Film 2025
Social Media
To keep up with festival news and details, follow us on social media.
Facebook: Wheaton Film Festival
Twitter: @WheatonFilmFest
Instagram: @WheatonFilmFest
#FilmWheaton #MMMproject
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2025 Speakers
Chris Petracco
Chris Petracco is a senior digital media specialist and immersive content creator with over 30 years of experience in communications, media production, and emerging technologies. A pioneer in reality capture and immersive filmmaking, Chris combines technical mastery with creative storytelling to produce groundbreaking visual experiences. As the founder of TPA360 (Annapolis, MD), Chris has led productions spanning broadcast, cable, and digital platforms, helping clients translate ideas into powerful, multi-platform media campaigns. His expertise spans 360° and 180° immersive video, volumetric capture, virtual production, and real-time 3D environments, leveraging tools like Unreal Engine, Apple Vision Pro, and Blackmagic’s URSA Cine Immersive workflows. With over a decade teaching communications and media at the college level, Chris is equally skilled at demystifying complex technologies and mentoring the next generation of media professionals. His work bridges the gap between cinematic storytelling and digital innovation, making him a recognized reality capture expert and thought leader in the evolution of immersive media.
John Mason
John D. Mason of Copyright Counselors, LLC is an art, entertainment and intellectual property attorney, and literary agent. He is based in the Washington DC/Maryland area. His practice focuses on copyright and trademark transactional matters, litigation, publishing and media issues, contracts, and commercial matters. He works with writers, artists, filmmakers and people and companies in creative industries to protect, promote and exploit their work. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Mason is currently adjunct faculty teaching Art, Cultural Heritage and the Law at George Washington University School of Law, and adjunct faculty teaching Entertainment Law at UDC Law School, as well as past adjunct teaching Art and the Law at George Mason University, Board President of Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, Advisory Board member of Veterans in Film and Media, and past Board member of the Washington Improv Theater, and past Advisory Board member of the Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington.
