Annapolis Film Festival

Located on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay less than an hour away from Washington D.C., Annapolis is best known for its rich colonial and naval history. In addition to being the first capital of the United States, Annapolis is also home to St John’s College (the third oldest college in the U.S.) and the U.S. Naval Academy. As the sailing capital of the U.S. and a vacation destination, it charms its tourists with many restaurants, museums, and galleries.

Last year's 11th anniversary was a success as we embark on our second decade. Our screening venues are walkable within the city center and provide filmmakers with a high-quality digital presentation. We are seeking an approximate total of 90 films to be shown April 4 - 7, 2024.

Our festival is known for its quality slate with a line-up of both documentary and narrative films (short and feature-length) from emerging and established filmmakers. We present a balanced program consisting of films with a common emphasis on storytelling excellence and/or innovative vision and cinematic artistry.

In addition to our commitment to screen the newest acclaimed films and premieres, we are also interested in films with nautical and environmental themes, films highlighting diverse cultures including African American, Latinx, Asian and Jewish experiences as well as LGBTQ+ and women-centric perspectives.

This year we are continuing to give cash prizes to our Jury Award-winners for Best Feature and Short in both Narrative and Documentary Categories. A select number of films will be nominated and judged by a jury of industry professionals. Films will be judged for displaying exceptional creativity, originality, and skill in script, direction, acting and production. Audience Awards will also be presented to Narrative and Documentary Feature and Short Films. The Audience Award-winners will be screened in the Best of Fest program on Sunday evening, April 7, 2024

Last year's jury award winners went on to success at this year's top industry awards. Our winner for Narrative Feature was Emily the Criminal, which ended up with four nominations at the Independent Spirt Awards winning Best First Screenplay; Our winner for Documentary was Fire of Love and winner for Short Film was Night Ride, both of which were nominated at the Academy Awards this year.

This year's Jury and Audience Award winner was Eva Longoria for her feature directorial debut Flamin' Hot.

Past guests have included iconic director Rob Reiner (LBJ), esteemed documentarian Albert Maysles (Grey Gardens, Gimme Shelter), Tony Award-winning actress Joanna Gleason, (Into the Woods), actor Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice), actor Rory Culkin (Gabriel), actress Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey), Independent Spirit Award-winning filmmakers Matt Spicer (Ingrid Goes West), Joshua Marston (Maria Full of Grace), and John Patton Ford (Emily the Criminal), Oscar-winning screenwriter David S. Ward (The Sting) and noted speaker/writer/producer Ambassador Shabazz.

Oscar-nominated actress Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient) and director Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty) were scheduled to attend the 2020 Opening night with their film Military Wives, but had to cancel due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

We continue to strengthen our reputation by bringing top films to this beautiful city and to invite filmmakers to showcase global perspectives and independent thought to a community that truly embraces the art of filmmaking. Visiting filmmakers have been thrilled with the community's response. One filmmaker claimed, "this festival has the smartest audiences and the most community engagement we have seen on the festival circuit".

The mission of the Annapolis Film Festival is to encourage and grant the development of all aspects of the creative arts in and around Annapolis through the cinema experience. With independent films, panels and special showcases that will inspire, enlighten and entertain diverse audiences on a variety of topics, the festival will ensure the promotion of Annapolis as a cultural arts center.

The AFF will once again host the Shorts Challenge, a pitching competition where five finalists can pitch their projects on stage in front of a live audience and a panel of industry judges. The winner receives a production package to help make their short film which will screen at a future edition of the festival after the film is finished. For more information about the Shorts Challenge, see our website at www.annapolisfilmfestival.com

Check out our channel on ARGO to view short films that have played at the Annapolis Film Festival: https://web.watchargo.com/channel?creatorID=1928

Jury Award - Narrative Feature ($1000)
Jury Award - Documentary Feature ($1000)
Jury Award - Narrative Short ($500)
Jury Award - Documentary Short ($500)
Audience Award - Narrative Feature
Audience Award - Documentary Feature
Audience Award - Narrative Short
Audience Award - Documentary Short

I agree to the Rules & Terms as follows:

1.) The Annapolis Film Festival is accepting entries with a completion date of anytime after June of 2022. Submissions to the Annapolis Film Festival, Inc. must not be scheduled for theatrical release or broadcast on television prior to April 2024. Submissions must not have had prior public screenings in the Annapolis area (unless an exception is granted by the festival).

2.) All films submitted must be free from any legal disputes and third-party claims and filmmaker must have cleared all rights for music and public exhibition.

3.) Please note that for preview purposes the festival accepts secured online screeners through our online submission platform or via a password protected online link.

4.) Entries should be accompanied by any required materials (e.g. fees, press kits, student IDs, etc).

5.) Submissions must be in English or subtitled in English.

6.) Narrative and documentary feature films must have a run time of a minimum of 40 minutes. Short films must have a run time of under 40 minutes.

7.) Filmmakers will be notified by approximately Jan. 15, 2024, if their film has been accepted to the Annapolis Film Festival, Inc.

8.) Upon acceptance, exhibition copies and additional press materials will be requested. Selected films will be screened in the following exhibition formats: DCP (for select venues) or digital files (MP4 or .MOV) must arrive on hard drive or thumb drive. Please notify us in writing about any exceptions to the delivery date, otherwise you may forfeit your place in the program and the Annapolis Film Festival, Inc. is under no obligation to screen a selected film.

9) The individual or corporation submitting the film warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless the Annapolis Film Festival, Inc., Inc. from and against any and all disputes, arbitration, 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, including but not limited to third party claims involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to or the inability to screen videos entered.

10) The festival will not pay screening fees for any submitted film that we program.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Beth Lane

Hands down one of the best festivals I’ve attended. The warmth, care, creativity and programming that Derek, Patti and Lee have created, alongside their fantastic team and volunteers is one of a kind. It was like summer camp for pros! I feel part of their family. Congratulations on another fantastic year for Annapolis!

April 2024

Helpful
Juda Goldstein

I have worked with the Annapolis Film Festival before and I am in constant disbelief of the quality of this film festival. They make every film feel like the festival is solely there for them and it is incredible!

April 2024

Helpful
Katie Goodman

We loved being part of this fest! Such clear and easy communication from start to finish and a truly great line-up of films!

April 2024

Helpful
Jason King

Thanks for screening Chum. Annapolis is such an inclusive, welcoming festival that respects filmmakers and audiences alike. As short filmmakers looking to level up we found the experience invaluable , and the sense of community among the filmmakers was a highlight. I know the connections made here will last long into the future and I hope I’ll be back soon!

April 2024

Helpful
Carl Kelsch

This fest is truly an international event that gives filmmakers the star treatment and is super-organized. My short film Scammers received two screenings in a well-curated block where every short was stellar. The filmmakers lounge was right in the center of it all and allowed for some great casual connections.

Other fest programmers come here to scout the films because the programming is so good, and the city itself full of diversions and great restaurants.

I didn’t get to attend the start of the fest, but had major FOMO when I saw the super-polished social media posts. They excel in their marketing for sure.

The venues are top notch. The community really shows up for this.

And playing in this fest helped me get my first written review. My fave fest so far.

April 2024

Helpful