MISSION & OBJECTIVE:

Beyond the red carpets, Oscar-nominated films, and world-class independent filmmakers, the Washington West Film Festival is a movement of hope for under-resourced communities. Our audiences themselves become story-creators as we give 100% of all box office net proceeds to projects which solve problems of childhood hunger, illness, and poor education around the world. Join us in creating stories of hope October 24-28, 2019 in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Please refer to our Vimeo page, which provides select videos of our annual charity projects and provides insight into the work we are passionate about and committed to! https://vimeo.com/user9701277

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:

Anchored in the beautiful and diverse Washington, DC metropolitan area, the Washington West Film Festival invites filmmakers, film lovers, industry professionals, and the media alike to experience a breathtaking autumn in and around one of the most influential places on earth. From historic Pennsylvania Avenue to the idyllic vineyards of Northern Virginia, we are set to screen some of the best films 2019 has to offer.

In our first seven years, upon helping introduce the world to some of its favorite new films and earning attention from some of Hollywood’s biggest names, Washington West has emerged as a major up-and-coming festival. Washington West has screened films produced by Ava DuVernay, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, HBO, Universal Pictures, and Walt Disney Studios. The festival has hosted Q&A sessions with the legendary Academy Award-winning Robert Duvall, Pulitzer Prize-winning Ron Suskind (Life, Animated), 9-time Emmy Award-winning Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep, Seinfeld), Hollywood producer Bruce Cohen (Silver Linings Playbook, American Beauty), Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Bradford Young (Arrival, Selma, Solo: A Star Wars Story), Academy Award-winning actor and musician Common, multi Grammy Award-winning record producer Clive Davis, Emmy Award-winning Modern Family actor Ty Burrell, director/writer Tom Shadyac (Patch Adams, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Bruce Almighty), Bleed For This director Ben Younger, actor/director Frank Whaley, Sound of Music stars Heather Menzies Urich and Nicholas Hammond, Washington Post Associate Editor Bob Woodward, the cast of Back to the Future, and 7-time Emmy winning actor Ed Asner.

Some highlight moments from previous years include: In Conversation with Robert Duvall; In Conversation with Bradford Young & Common about race in America, a 40th anniversary screening of All The President’s Men with special guest Pulitzer Prize-winning Bob Woodward; an advanced screening of a never-before-seen Modern Family episode with Ty Burrell, DC premiere screening of Bleed For This (Miles Teller, Aaron Eckhart); 30th anniversary screening of Back to the Future with special guests Christopher Lloyd and Bob Gale; a kid-focused voice acting workshop with Roger Bumpass (Squidward in Spongebob Squarepants) and Ed Asner (Mr. Frederickson in Up); a live, interactive scoring workshop with Golden Globe-winning composer W.G. Snuffy Walden (Nashville, Friday Night Lights, The West Wing); and a screening event at the National Press Club with NPC President and the Ambassador of Afghanistan.

In addition to catching the eye of those in the film industry, Washington West has also inspired sponsors like Cadillac, Audi, and Hyatt Regency to join in our endeavor.

Awards & Prizes

Best Narrative Short Film, Best Documentary Short Film, Best Short Film Director, Audience Award Best Short Film, Audience Award Best Feature Documentary, Audience Award Best Feature Narrative, Best Narrative Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature Film, Outstanding Directorial Debut, Sun City Storyteller of Hope, Metropolitan Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Film of the Year, and the Laura Hillenbrand Outstanding Literary Award. Winners will be announced and presented at Awards Night Gala with a Washington West crystal award.

Rules & Terms

GENERAL PROVISIONS:

1. We accept nearly all genres of film and video. Please do not submit any pornographic or teenage exploitation films.

2. Washington West Film Festival (“WWFF” or the “Festival”) is hereby granted the right to utilize excerpts from any film submitted to and accepted for exhibition by the Festival for promotional purposes, including to promote the Festival in future years. The Festival hereby receives an irrevocable, non-transferable, royalty-free license to use portions of such submissions for the aforementioned promotional purposes.

3. All screening tapes, press kits, publicity info, photos, etc. will be retained by WWFF as part of the Festival's library, unless a specific written request is made for the return of such materials and the cost of return shipping is provided to WWFF. These materials will be returned no later than 14 days after the last screening of the 2020 festival.

4. The individual or entity submitting the film hereby warrants that it possesses the legal right and authority to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts the terms contained herein.

5. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold WWFF harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees and court costs) which may be incurred by the Festival arising out of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

EXPRESS CONDITIONS REGARDING FILM SUBMISSION:

1. By submitting a film to WWFF, you represent and warrant that you possess the legal right and authority to do so, and that you accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property contained therein.

2. Washington West Film Festival (“WWFF” or the “Festival”) is hereby granted the right to utilize excerpts from any film submitted to and accepted for exhibition by the Festival for promotional purposes, including to promote the Festival in future years. The Festival hereby receives an irrevocable, non-transferable, royalty-free license to use portions of such submissions for the aforementioned promotional purposes.

3. Submitting your film grants WWFF an irrevocable, non-transferable, royalty-free license to exhibit your work at the 2020 Festival. By submitting your film, you agree to use your best efforts to to have the Director and other key contributors to your project (actors, screenwriters, producers, etc.) attend the Festival in the event your film is selected for screening.

4. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold WWFF harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorneys’ fees and court costs) which may be incurred by the Festival arising out of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. We look forward to receiving your film submission.
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kelly Ramundo

    I've shown at Washington West twice now, and each time it's been a truly wonderful and unique experience. Their motto is "story can change the world" and this festival truly believes that - including down to the fact that they donate their proceeds to selected charities. The billing is typically a nice and diverse blend of engaging features, several shorts programs and a few fun capstone events. As a filmmaker, I love the Q and A sessions and the ability to interact with an engaged and dedicated audience! Washington West really is a festival for film lovers. I'll definitely be back!

    January 2019
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  • joe carabeo

    As a filmmaker I really enjoyed this film festival. They're communication was top notch, the atmosphere was very inviting and their presentation of their screenings that made me want to keep submitting my newest film and be part of the community that have developed over the years. I loved watching my films that the theaters that they selected to screen on, as well had a great time taking part in the Q&A's afterwards. I hope the Washington West International Film Festival keeps progressing, I've enjoyed it so far!

    January 2019
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  • Deborah Pearl

    Washington West was not just a terrific time. We were part of a festival that honors the power of film to deliver a message. The films, both documentary and narrative, were about significant issues in the world - even my comedy starring Ed Asner and Jean Smart "Getting Ed Laid" about aging and sexuality. The level of discourse was meaningful - and it made us all proud to be filmmakers. I left with a sense of mission - that we can entertain AND say something at the same time. Bravo Washington West!!!

    January 2019
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  • Ric Serena

    This might be a smaller festival, but it was definitely one of the best from our run. From their generous mission, to their incredible hospitality for the filmmakers and festival attendees alike, I can't say enough about how impressed I was by the small, dedicated team putting on this high-end fest. Keep it up!

    December 2018
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  • Laura Somers

    We were so honored to be part of this festival, as they give 100% of their ticket sales to a worthy charity. From the moment we were accepted, everything about the fest was a class act - from the communication of the staff, to the accommodations near the lovely Reston Town Center where were tons of shops and restaurants. The Bow Tie Cinema where we screened was so nice and films ran on time and we had a very receptive, engaged local audience who attended and programmer Ariel Lee did an amazing job moderating our Q&A. The panels were excellent with accessible speakers who would give you one on one advice. Last but not least, we were so blown away how beautiful the marketing was for the festivals - while many fests make flimsy throwaway programs - the pamphlet created by the design team is truly a precious keepsake for us - representing our film better than any other festival has with gorgeous design. That means a lot.

    December 2018
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