Welcome, filmmakers, to the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown. We are excited about our 11th year coming up on March 21st-24th, 2024. We are Movie Magazine's top 50 festival worth their entry fee. For 12 years, we've been bringing in the finest films from around the world. The film festival became a 501(c)3 and launched in 2009 and now screens more than 100 films each year! Hollywood Director Joe Carnahan is our creative director, and has been a powerful partner with our festival! He has brought us such films as "The Grey" and "The A-Team" with Liam Neeson and just released Wheelman to Netflix which is getting RAVE reviews. He now has his own production company with Frank Grillo, and has recently signed a deal with Sony Entertainment to work on their Adaptation of 'UNCHARTED'. So join us! We look forward to having you screen at our 12th anniversary!

The festival is conveniently located downtown; we're in the middle of the arts and entertainment district. And after the films, we host some of the best after parties with live bands and fantastic food and drinks!

Below is a recent article about the festival! Copy and paste the link or read parts of the article below.

https://www.tvovermind.com/entertainment-news/director-joe-carnahan-praises-maryland-international-film-festival

It was my first time attending and sponsoring the festival.” Said Troy Lowman, CEO of SNM Global Holdings. “This is a very high-end event that is talent rich, so kudos to Tracie for running such a successful festival. We found one of our prized upcoming movie projects at the festival after an introduction with Jason Slawson. We start production on “Potential” in March 2018. I will continue to attend and sponsor the festival to support this plethora of upcoming directors and filmmakers. SNM is proud to be associated with this festival.” Said Lowman.

Hollywood director Joe Carnahan is the creative director for the festival. “It’s a great opportunity for directors and producers to get their work showcased. There are investors and production companies who attend the festival looking for new talent and we have seen many of the movies screened in 2017 go on to be hugely successful,” Says Carnahan.

“Embrace,” “Equal Means Equal,” “Last Call at Murray’s” are just some of the movies that have gone on to receive accolades nationally and internationally following the festival.

“It is such a tremendous honor to have Joe as part of our festival team. He always makes a big impression on the filmmakers that come into town. He is a wealth of information, and he takes time to talk to as many of the filmmakers and film festival attendees as possible. I believe because he is so generous with his time and accessible it makes our festival more popular than other festivals, which is another reason why Movie Maker Magazine recognized us.” Says Hovey.

Awards & Prizes

We offer to the winners some OUTSTANDING trophies for Best Feature, Best Short, Best Animation, Best Student, Best Documentary, Best Local Film, and Best Foreign Film!

Rules & Terms

Submission Guidelines: Entries must be submitted online, through FilmFreeway's online screener option.

Entry Fees: Checks or money orders must be made payable to Maryland International Film Festival.

Terms and conditions: The festival will accept works in progress but the final screener must be received 30 days prior to the festival should your film be selected. All entry fees paid are non refundable. Checks returned due to NSF will be assessed a $35 return check fee and may be assigned to collections. All entered films grant MDIFF non exclusive limited use agreement to use film titles or trailers or film posters for festival promotional use only including online, print, broadcast media to promote the festival and selected films to the industry and general public. Filmmakers fully retain all rights, title and interest in their films and all intellectual property. Official selection films must provide their final exhibition copy to the festival programming department 20 days prior to the festival. The Maryland International Film festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. Any submitters shall indemnify and hold harmless the Maryland International Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos.

55 Reviews
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  • Imran Zaman

    Excellent film festival, amazing opportunities to network, enjoy films and showcase your talent. The organizers of Maryland International film festival go above and beyond to welcome you and provide assistance to make it a very enjoyable experience! thank you for selecting my films #TeamLadu & #TheDeewanaLoop

    April 2024
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  • Ivy Vale

    A wonderful experience and festival, well-organized and friendly, clear communication. We were honored that our film Out of My Comfort Zone was a Finalist in the feature film category. Thank you to Nicole and everyone for welcoming us to Hagerstown.

    March 2024
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  • Harry Waldman

    Thanks for selecting "Enter the Room" into your festival. The communication was clear and concise, the turnout was good, there were 4 different venues that screened some great films, particularly the winners and the awards ceremony and after party was put together well.

    Tom did a really nice job of making the filmmakers feel very welcome at the festival too. I had a long commute to the festival, but it was well worth it. Overall, I had a very good experience and will definitely consider submitting future projects to Maryland International Film Festival.

    March 2024
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  • Robert Redfield

    A very welcoming festival produced by friendly and a hospitable people in a cool historic downtown, all 4 venues a few step from each other. Had a fun time sharing notes with fellow filmmakers and actors.

    March 2024
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  • Spenser Davis

    Thanks so much for including our short, "I'm Pretty Sure My Therapist Thinks I'm a Bad Actor," in this year's festival! We were absolutely thrilled to make our World Premiere at your incredible event.

    March 2024
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