Welcome, filmmakers, to the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown. We are excited about our 13th year coming up on March 20 -23, 2025. We are considered Movie Magazine's top 50 festival worth their entry fee. For 13 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.

The festival is conveniently located in downtown Hagerstown; 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!

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 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.

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! .

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

Entry Fees: Are NON REFUNDABLE.

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. 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.

Overall Rating
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  • Eric Simon

    I really enjoyed attending this festival, and showing my documentary. All the theaters are within easy walking distance, so once you've parked, there's no need to get in your car until the end of the day. The quality of films shown is quite remarkable for a festival in a small town.

    March 2025
  • Cynthia Cai

    It is a great pleasure and honor that my short documentary "Echoes of Silk and Tides" are selected by you. There were great communications about the event and I truly appreciate it.

    March 2025
  • Maryland International Film Festival was a great experience to have a world premiere at. An incredible and diverse line up of films, great filmmakers and people to talk with. I'd love to come back in the future.

    March 2025
  • We are incredibly excited that The Passion of A Revolutionary Cinderella received the award for Best Documentary Feature from the Maryland International Film Festival. The screening in the beautiful downtown of Hagerstown was memorable. Thanks to Nikki Houser and Tom Riford.

    March 2025
  • It was professional and fun

    March 2025