Washington, DC International Film Festival (Filmfest DC)

Washington, DC, United States, North America

02 - 11 Oct, 2020

Washington, DC International Film Festival (Filmfest DC) logo
Washington, DC International Film Festival (Filmfest DC)

Washington, DC, United States, North America

Is this your festival?

Is this your festival?

General Information

edition

35th

Contact details

P.O. Box 21396 Washington, DC 20009 United States

20009

jms@filmfestdc.org

(202) 274-5782

Web & social

About the festival

Now in its 35th year, Filmfest DC celebrates over three decades in which we have presented thousands of new films to residents and visitors to our nation's capital.
In 2020, our usual 11-day festival in April was postponed and reassembled as a virtual experience October 2-11 with 52 titles.
In 2021 we plan to present the 35th Filmfest DC in late April 2021, our usual time, but whether it will be completely virtual, hybrid or some other model is as yet undetermined.
The festival's audience is widely diverse, curious and knowledgeable. Filmfest DC delivers provocative and entertaining stories from around the globe to our own DC neighborhoods.
As the largest and longest-running annual film festival in Washington, DC, Filmfest DC has established itself as one of the city's major cultural activities.

1. CIRCLE AWARD - juried competition of selected feature films that deserve increased recognition.
2 CROSSCURRENTS FOUNDATION JUSTICE MATTERS AWARD - an international juried competition of feature length films which expand our awareness and understanding of social justice issues around the globe, and people who are doing something about them.
3. FILMFEST DC SHORTS AWARD - a juried award which tends towards recognizing less well known filmmakers and those whose work illustrates a balance of economy and emotional resonance. Shorts in all genres are eligible, DC area premiere is preferred.
4. SIGNIS AWARD - the jury presents this award to the film deemed to best illuminate and celebrate what it means to be human in a diverse and challenging world.
5. FILMFEST DC AUDIENCE AWARDS to feature narrative and documentary films determined by audience ballot.

About

Now in its 35th year, Filmfest DC celebrates over three decades in which we have presented thousands of new films to residents and visitors to our nation's capital.
In 2020, our usual 11-day festival in April was postponed and reassembled as a virtual experience October 2-11 with 52 titles.
In 2021 we plan to present the 35th Filmfest DC in late April 2021, our usual time, but whether it will be completely virtual, hybrid or some other model is as yet undetermined.
The festival's audience is widely diverse, curious and knowledgeable. Filmfest DC delivers provocative and entertaining stories from around the globe to our own DC neighborhoods.
As the largest and longest-running annual film festival in Washington, DC, Filmfest DC has established itself as one of the city's major cultural activities.

1. CIRCLE AWARD - juried competition of selected feature films that deserve increased recognition.
2 CROSSCURRENTS FOUNDATION JUSTICE MATTERS AWARD - an international juried competition of feature length films which expand our awareness and understanding of social justice issues around the globe, and people who are doing something about them.
3. FILMFEST DC SHORTS AWARD - a juried award which tends towards recognizing less well known filmmakers and those whose work illustrates a balance of economy and emotional resonance. Shorts in all genres are eligible, DC area premiere is preferred.
4. SIGNIS AWARD - the jury presents this award to the film deemed to best illuminate and celebrate what it means to be human in a diverse and challenging world.
5. FILMFEST DC AUDIENCE AWARDS to feature narrative and documentary films determined by audience ballot.

Awards & Winners

There are no winners yet for this festival

Terms and rules

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY PRIOR TO SUBMITTING.
1) Filmfest DC strongly prefers to have the Washington, DC area premiere of films selected for the festival and gives priority to such films.
2) Submissions must have been completed after July 1, 2019 to be eligible for consideration.
3) All films must be in English or have English subtitles.
4) Works in progress that are not final cuts may be submitted but clearly note what is missing or will change.
5) More than one entry may be submitted; however an official entry and entry fee must accompany each submission.
6) JUSTICE MATTERS COMPETITION. Please submit feature length films about social justice issues (including environmental, economic, etc) through the Justice Matters category. ONLY feature length (50+ min) films are considered in this category.
7) Films must not be available online as a DVD or as a digital download/streaming link for purchase or rental.
8) Films must not have been broadcast on television in the United States or screened theatrically in the United States prior to May 5, 2020.
9. Discount on entry fee for DC and DC Metro area filmmakers: If you are a filmmaker from the DC Metro area you may be eligible for a discounted entry fee. Eligible filmmakers of short (MetroShorts) and Justice Matters films please contact <jms@filmfestdc.org>; all others write to <filmfestdc@filmfestdc.org> with your name, address, name of film, year of production, run time and a brief description of your/your film's connection to the DC Metro Area prior to submitting.
10. If your film is selected, Filmfest DC may require a DCP exhibition copy for the festival's physical public presentation, or an upload of an mp4 should it be virtual.

Ratings & Reviews

Categories and fees

Feature length narrative & non-fiction films
Early Bird (17th November, 2020) $25
Regular (16th December, 2020) $30
Late (13th January, 2021) $40

Filmfest DC is international in scope, and has become a prominent venue for recognized filmmakers to show their work and for the expressions of new voices to be appreciated. All feature length narrative and non-fiction works of all genres from around the globe not applicable for the Justice Matters section should be submitted in this category. Films must be 50+ minutes in duration to be considered feature length. *Questions: submissions@filmfestdc.org

Justice Matters Competition (feature length only)
Early Bird (17th November, 2020) $25
Regular (16th December, 2020) $30
Late (13th January, 2021) $40

The Justice Matters section is a juried competitive section of compelling new narrative and documentary feature length films from around the globe that expand awareness, contribute to understanding and empower action about important social justice issues in these times. Films must be 50+ minutes in duration to be considered feature length. There is a cash prize, additional publicity and outreach for selected films, filmmakers are invited and we work with the filmmakers/distributors on connecting with relevant constituencies. *Questions: jms@filmfestdc.org.

Short Films
Early Bird (17th November, 2020) $20
Regular (16th December, 2020) $25
Late (13th January, 2021) $30

Short works (under 20 min. in duration) from around the globe in all genres. Includes entries for METROSHORTS program: Short films by filmmakers whose primary residence is in Washington DC, Northern Virginia and the Maryland metro-DC area. Please be sure to include your connection to the area at the beginning of your entry. *Metroshorts Discount queries: jms@filmfestdc.org

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