SASFest: A Festival to Showcase Syracuse Independent Films

Interested in locally written and produced Syracuse films? Join the Syracuse Actors Studio for its own version of the Sundance Festival.

Join the Syracuse Actors Studio on Sunday, April 19th, 2026, 12 PM-8 PM, for the First Annual SASFest! Think Sundance Festival, but here in Syracuse, as a local film festival for and by Syracuse Actors Studio (SAS) members to showcase their own independent films. We are proud and excited to show our work to the local community, encourage filmmakers to work with us, and encourage our members to make their own films.

We will publish a complete program soon, but we are currently screening several exciting films, including American Claudius, It’s Me Again, Amariah, and more! There will be question-and-answer opportunities after each film with the creatives involved.

SAS prides itself on offering free and open events to the public. Friends, family, and the general public are encouraged to attend. Still, we are encouraging people to donate in advance or at the door to support our organization and our generous partner, The Palace Theater, for this creative local festival. We hope to raise money to help them keep the theatre going for local filmmakers and incredible shows, and to support SAS so we can keep hosting outstanding programs open to all.

The Palace Theater will have a full bar and concessions with snacks, candy, and popcorn. Please enjoy responsibly, and help us support them by being gracious hosts. We are also looking to partner with food trucks so everyone can stay the whole day and enjoy!

We seek financial support from individual or corporate sponsors for our event, to help sustain these two great beacons of art in our community: The Palace Theater & Syracuse Actors Studio! Please contact Laura Stisser at lastisser@gmail.com or Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham at womenties33@gmail.com if you would like to sponsor SASFest. As a sponsor, you and your company/organization will receive numerous promotional benefits.

We are also looking for volunteers to serve as door people, ushers, and to help sell merchandise. Please contact Laura Stisser at lastisser@gmail.com if you are or Laura Stisser at lastisser@gmail.cominterested in volunteering.

Get excited now! You don't have to go to Colorado to see excellent indie films at a festival; SASFest 2026 is in your own backyard.

DISCLAIMER
=================
The organizer for this activity welcomes all players. By joining this activity, all participants are deemed to have agreed to the terms and conditions contained in this disclaimer, and decided to exonerate the organizer and any other participants in the activity from any liabilities, claims, including but not limited to liabilities and claims as a result of any injuries, deaths, or damages arising thereof.

,
The participant understands that during the activity, certain events may occur, including, but not limited to, accidents or illness, damage or theft, and natural forces. The participant agrees to assume all risks associated with the activity and indemnifies the organizer and hosts against all claims arising from his/her participation.

Joe Cunningham and Laura Light Stisser, co-founders, Syracuse Actors Studio. Joe Cunningham is President of SAS and Laura Light Stisser is Vice President.

Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham, Syracuse Actors Studio Publicist.