The Maryland Film Fest is now accepting submissions for our 25th Festival Celebration, May 2-5, 2024. We are seeking top-notch moving image work from Baltimore, from Maryland, and from all over the world, in short and feature-length formats.

Repeatedly named one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals In the World" by MovieMaker Magazine, we're thrilled to be back in 2024 and are planning a full, fun and festive 25th anniversary Celebration! Get ready to screen your film live at the historic Stavros Niarchos Foundation Parkway Theatre and other select locations in Baltimore, Maryland.

Join hundreds of fellow filmmakers – including alums like Barry Jenkins,
Greta Gerwig, Kathryn Bigelow, Stanley Nelson, Josephine Decker, Terence Nance and more – in a unique, accessible, competition-free atmosphere created solely for the love and enjoyment of film.

Rules & Terms

Film Submission Requirements

1. We are seeking excellent and original moving image work, narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, hybrid, emerging technologies and media-based performance. We are looking for unique stories, in feature, short and expanded reality formats.

2. All information should be entered on FilmFreeway. Vimeo links are preferred for preview screeners.

3. Each submission should be entered separately on FilmFreeway. If you are submitting more than one entry, please complete a separate entry for each submission.

Film Submission Requirements

1. Rough cuts and works-in-progress are eligible for submission if an exhibition copy will be available by March 25, 2024. Please identify the screener as a “Rough Cut” and specify what is missing (i.e. temp sound, needs color correction, etc). Please be aware that an updated version of your rough cut MAY NOT be able to be re-screened for submission consideration.

2. By submitting your work to MdFF, you grant us a nonexclusive license to use an excerpt of your submission of up to two minutes in length, for promotional purposes only, including but not limited to internet and television broadcast.

3. Still photos of your work are requested with your submission and are required for all films selected for the festival. Good stills make a difference in film placement and press coverage, particularly for shorts. Even the shortest short can get press coverage or festival prominence with a captivating still image. Stills should be in JPEG format and hi-resolution (at least 300 dpi).

4. You are also encouraged to enclose a synopsis, production credits, past screening info, press clippings and any other information regarding your film.
35 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jamie Ting

    A wonderful festival experience with kind and accommodating staff. Loved the filmmaker's forum to hear the experiences of others. Thank you!

    July 2024
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  • Festival Formula

    We're always so happy when our clients work travels the world, so were ecstatic when the short film that we look after KISS was selected for their 2024 edition. Keep doing what you're doing, it's great!

    May 2024
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  • Marc Marashi

    I had another festival later the same weekend and was on the fence about attending, but I’m so glad I did. The filmmakers conference alone was worth the trip. But the festival itself was great. Curators were very nice. I only wish I had time to attend more screenings before flying back.

    May 2024
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  • Kara Herold

    The Maryland Film Festival was wonderful on every level. The programming was smart, unusual, campy at times. The staff was so welcoming and friendly, and the venue was outstanding. This festival is willing to take risks by programming films based upon their own aesthetic–daring, poetic, humanitarian. A thread of outsider humor runs throughout the experience, highly recommended.

    May 2024
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  • Jim Doran

    This was an excellent experience. I love this festival, and left on Sunday feeling recharged and excited.

    May 2024
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