Haydenfilms

Haydenfilms LLC began as the thesis of Electronic Media postgraduate at Kutztown University Hayden Craddolph in 2001. In 2004, Haydenfilms hosted one of the world's first online film festivals and was one of the first to accept all short films regardless of genre.

Haydenfilms also developed as a production-based organization. In 2007, the organization partnered with director Patrick Steward to produce his film The Hollow Tree, fundraising the film's entire budget as well as facilitating casting calls and other miscellaneous areas of production. The Hollow Tree competed in the 2008-2010 festival circuit and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and the Hamptons International Film Festival, among others. HFI has since worked on projects for the Berks Women in Crisis organization and Shale Gas Outage.

In 2010, the IRS approved the Haydenfilms Institute for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. According to the HFI's website, the institute's mission is to empower, educate and fund independent student filmmakers.

HFI is currently in development for the 5.0 Online Film Festival, this time planning to offer a $25,000 grand prize for the winning director.

In April 2014, HFI hosted a two-day Workshop and Business of Entertainment Panel which provided an opportunity for high school students to get hands-on experience behind the camera. Creating their own original 30 second commercials for Advantage Point Student Apartments, these students had the chance to learn teamwork, while experimenting with media and technology, which the fulfilled. They were also able to meet and hear from Academy Award-winner, Ron Judkins.