Community invited to attend screenings, watch the film online, and read the Declaration of Independence aloud during America250
WEST CHESTER, PA – April 13, 2026 The Chester County Community Foundation is proud to announce that its short documentary, Dare to Declare: Local Voices Reading the Declaration of Independence, will be featured at three regional film festivals in Spring 2026, bringing this Chester County civic storytelling project to audiences across the region.
The film has been accepted to the 2026 West Chester Film Festival in the Best Pennsylvania Filmmaker category, the 2026 Neumann Inspires Film Festival in the Best Documentary category, and the Trenton Film Society’s Regional Documentary Film Festival.
Created as part of the Community Foundation’s America250 initiative, Dare to Declare features Chester County residents reading the Declaration of Independence aloud and reflecting on its meaning 250 years later. The film offers a vivid, local, and thought-provoking invitation to hear these familiar words in a fresh way — together, in community.
“This film belongs to the people of Chester County whose voices bring it to life,” said Erik Gudmudson, Board Member of the Chester County Community Foundation and reader featured in Dare to Declare. “As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we hope it inspires people to gather, listen, reflect, and read it aloud for themselves.”
The public is invited to attend Film Festival Screenings:
Neumann Inspires Film Festival April 17–18, 2026 Neumann University, Aston, PA Dare to Declare directed by Chris Cotter screens on Saturday, April 18 at 11:00 a.m. in the “Liberty” block at Meagher Theatre. Free tickets and festival information are available through Neumann University: https://www.neumann.edu/filmfest
West Chester Film Festival April 24–26, 2026 Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, West Chester, PA The film is part of the festival’s Best Pennsylvania Filmmaker lineup. The Community Foundation encourages friends, readers, supporters, and the wider community to come out and celebrate: https://uptownwestchester.org/pf/westchesterfilmfestival/
Trenton Film Society Regional Documentary Film Festival Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, 2026 Mill Hill Playhouse, Trenton, NJ Dare to Declare, directed by Chris Cotter, is scheduled for the festival’s opening night: https://trentonfilmsociety.org/trenton-film-festival/
The Community Foundation also encourages everyone across the region to take part in Dare to Declare during 2026 by reading the Declaration of Independence aloud at schools, libraries, heritage sites, museums, parks, community gatherings, places of worship, workplaces, and neighborhood events. The initiative is part of the region’s broader America250 effort and is designed to spark reflection, conversation, and civic engagement. Learn more at https://cccf250.org/ Film trailer: https://youtu.be/ZBFJOZU20BU?si=l5w0UDwH92DEv_Gk Blooper reel: https://youtu.be/_CpjSFZtoIw?si=WFrKX4RKrQ08pNI4
Organizations, schools, municipalities, and community groups interested in hosting their own screening or Declaration reading can find resources and inspiration at https://cccf250.org/daretodeclare/.
About the Film Dare to Declare: Local Voices Reading the Declaration of Independence is a short community documentary created through the Chester County Community Foundation’s America250 initiative, produced and directed by Tailor Made Media of West Chester. It brings together local voices to read the Declaration aloud and consider both its enduring ideals and its unfinished promises.
Media Contact: Beth Krallis, Marketing Officer Chester County Community Foundation bethk@chescocf.org (484) 887-0467 https://chescocf.org/