NEWS

PITTSBURGH, PA — Film Pittsburgh is proud to announce it has been awarded a $45,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments to support the expansion and enhancement of the 44th annual Three Rivers Film Festival (3RFF), November 12-23, 2025. This generous funding will enable Film Pittsburgh to broaden its programming, reach more diverse audiences, and implement key technological upgrades to improve festival operations.

The grant will support several strategic initiatives, including:

• Digital Marketing Expansion: Film Pittsburgh will launch targeted campaigns aiming to generate over 1.5 million trackable impressions. Collaborations with local universities will help amplify outreach efforts. As a result we expect to increase attendance among individuals under 35 by more than 10 percent.
• Local Artist Engagement: The festival will showcase a wider range of local filmmakers and media artists, with enhanced opportunities for audience interaction through Q&A sessions and receptions. New this year, Film Pittsburgh is offering additional competitive awards to filmmakers with feature films. 
• Operational Improvements: Upgrades such as a paperless ticketing system, integrated project management tools, and improved staffing solutions will streamline operations and reduce box office wait times, resulting in a better audience experience. 

“We are deeply grateful to The Heinz Endowments for their support,” said Shanna Carrick, Executive Director of Film Pittsburgh. “This grant empowers us to elevate the festival experience for both audiences and artists, while also investing in the long-term sustainability of our organization.”

The Heinz Endowments works to grow an exemplary, sustainable Pittsburgh region where everyone prospers and belongs. Their work in Arts & Culture; Civic Participation; Climate, Environment & Health; Community & Economic Development; Food Systems; Veterans; and Workforce is supported by reliable data based on results-focused goals. The Endowments is among the 60 largest philanthropic organizations in the United States, distributing approximately $90 million in grants annually.

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:
Shanna Carrick
Executive Director, Film Pittsburgh
Email: press@filmpittsburgh.org