We aim to foster a community of free thinking filmmakers, those who are pushing the boundaries of sound and vision into a new frontier. We believe the world is ready for the reemergence of Art House films, and we bring distributors, filmmakers, media and fans together to achieve global awareness of this vital art form.

The theme of this year's festival is "Return to Art House Films", which emphasizes the awareness of achievement in the art house film industry from all over the world.

Welcome to join our festivities at the beautiful Montgomery county in Maryland.

We look forwarding to seeing you here!

Awards & Prizes

Outstanding Film, Outstanding Director; Outstanding Actor; Outstanding Actress; Outstanding Screenwriter; Outstanding Supporting Actor; Outstanding Supporting Actress; Outstanding Producer; Outstanding Cinematography; & Special Contribution Award.

Rules & Terms

Detailed documentation, including: a synopsis of the film, a biography and complete filmography of the director, a selection of stills from the film, a recent photograph of the director, a full list of artistic and technical credits, dialogue or spotting list in English, film clips/trailer, digital and three-print copies of the poster, and the festival and awards history of the film, if applicable.

Additionally, the Festival press office requires photos, biography and filmography of the leading actor/actress and a list of the film’s delegates attending the festival, as well as press kits, stills, posters, and video-extracts of the films.

The Festival reserves the right to use all materials for promotional purposes and for the Festival Catalogue. During the Festival, selected films will be available in the digital video library, open exclusively to accredited film professionals, journalists and festival organizations through MIFF’s own closed-circuit server. By accepting to participate in MIFF, submitters grant permission for their film to be included in the video library, unless otherwise mentioned in the entry form. To this end, all participants will be requested to make available a QuickTime h.264 version of their film for encoding purposes.

The decision regarding the selection of films and the section in which they will be presented belongs exclusively to MIFF. The Festival is not obliged to offer comments or reasons for not selecting a film submitted for one of the Festival’s programs. No legal claim to participate in the Festival can be filed.

For all films participating in the exhibition and films entering the competition, the organizer has the exclusive right to display, broadcast or use non-commercial activities on the public media during the festival free of charge.
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  • Chetna Gola

    This festival seems to be pretty shady. This year was the first time we submitted our film primarily because it would've been local for us. Our film was selected and we were notified only by FilmFreeway and not a single communication from the festival organizers. We did not even know if there was any screening planned. I found some information after digging deep that a venue close to us will have screening on Sept 19th but no notification or any information from the organizer. I sent an email to the published address, no response for weeks. The screening date arrived and passed but there was no information about the festival. Then, I wrote a nasty mail and got a response after a week or two announcing our short film won the best short award with a pdf certificate that a 5-year-old can create with someone's signatures. And the email told us that due to the "epidemic" and other circumstances, they are not holding screening but we are assessed to be the winners.

    Does anyone have any doubts that this is not a scam?

    October 2024
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  • Harry Waldman

    Thanks for selecting “Bay For Blood” as an award winner at your festival!!!

    September 2024
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  • Frankcisco Anderson

    My film "Lion of Judah Legacy" was nominated in this wonderful festival, and I won best actor for my lead performance! Thanks so much MIFF, you guys are so awesome! Appreciate you always!!

    September 2023
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  • Christian Smooth

    The MIFF was an absolute treat. We're my cast and crew were elated to have won awards at this year's festival. We just wish the festival was in person. Other than that I will be submitting again.

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Jeff Lukeski

    Thank you to the MIFF Team for all of their tireless efforts to showcase some important films, both locally and abroad!

    Here's to working with you again!

    September 2022
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