River Valley Film Festival (RVFF), presented by Lycoming Arts, announced that acclaimed actress Sean Young has joined its 2026 Grand Jury, bringing decades of experience across iconic science‑fiction, thriller, and comedy films to the heart of Pennsylvania’s independent film community. Young is best known for her breakout role as Rachael in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, as well as standout performances in Dune, No Way Out, Wall Street, Fatal Instinct, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

Young joins previously announced jurors Sara Vahabi, Ray Izad‑Mehr, and Russell Schwartz, rounding out a grand jury whose collective background spans major studios, international co‑productions, and award‑winning film campaigns. Izad‑Mehr, of Ozon Film Group, is a multiple award‑winning writer, director, and producer whose work spans independent cinema and globally distributed feature documentaries. Schwartz, professor at the Dodge College at Chapman University, has overseen marketing campaigns for some of the industry’s most recognizable theatrical releases. While Vahabi’s publicity adds a critical perspective on emerging voices, story development, and the realities of gaining practical attention for filmmakers throughout their film’s campaigns.

“Sean Young is one of those performers whose work helped define what many of us mean by ‘cinematic,’” said Cory Baney, Festival Director of River Valley Film Festival. “Bringing her point of view into our grand jury, alongside the deep studio, distribution, and international experience of Sara Vahabi, Ray Izad‑Mehr, and Russell Schwartz, is exactly the kind of bridge we want RVFF to be: independent artists in conversation with the people who have shaped film culture for decades.”

The 2026 Grand Jury will present awards for Best Narrative Feature, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Feature, and Best Documentary Short during the second annual River Valley Film Festival, held July 17–19, 2026 at AMC CLASSIC Williamsport 11. In keeping with RVFF’s “international cinema, local passion” ethos, the jury’s selections will highlight bold storytelling, distinctive visual language, and films that speak to both global audiences and the communities that host them.

Located in downtown Williamsport and produced in partnership with Lycoming Arts, RVFF is designed as a filmmaker‑forward festival experience with red‑carpet programming, industry panels, and screenings that bring award‑winning cinema to Pennsylvania’s river valley region. The addition of Sean Young to the grand jury continues the festival’s tradition of pairing emerging voices with established figures from across the film industry, building a jury that can recognize both craft and risk in the work on screen.

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