The Heritage Film Festival is a community based, volunteer driven community event that brings together short films of all genre from novice and seasoned filmmakers, to celebrate independent media. The 2025 Heritage Film Festival is in person in the DMV and at non- DMV locations when invited. Because of our later screening date this year, we will accept work until the end of September 2025 for this year’s 20th anniversary screenings. Also, we encourage people to bring canned goods to our events — which we donate to food pantries for those in need. However, we do not turn anyone away from our screenings if they cannot contribute.

Rules & Terms

ALL submitted work should also include closed captions in English. This allows more audience members to enjoy your work!

We accept work in all languages, but if the languae used is not English, then English subtitles/closed captions are required. Exceptions to this rule can only be made with the approval of the Executive Director.

ALL submitted films MUST indicate 2 working contact phone numbers and 2 working email addresses. We will not share this information outside of the Festival without your permission.

ALL submitted work MUST be easily accessed through this FilmFreeway site. We will NOT accept work through other submission platforms - therefore we will only include submitted work that can be downloaded from Filmfreeway. Note that when submitting work you must give permission for Heritage to download your work. Please note that if we cannot download your work within 2 weeks of contacting you, you will NOT be included in that year's Heritage Film Festival.

When you submit your work to Heritage Film Festival, you accept full responsibility for the content and for obtaining proper rights to all content including music rights.

We do not give entry fee refunds for submitted work.

We encourage filmmakers to submit work of all genres that is between 1 minute and 21 minutes in length.

Sections of selected works may be included in publicity packages, and streamed online and on local cable. Continue to check this website, Facebook and Instagram for information about the Festival.

The Heritage Film Festival does not pay to screen selected work.
14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Catherine Murphy

    We love the Heritage Film Festival and so honored to be included of it this year! Special thanks to festival founder and director O. Funmilayo Makarah, who is an incredible filmmaker herself, and a Maryland treasure! She puts so much thought and care into curating the festival and to cultivating our film community. Thank you!

    December 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much for your kind words. We are always happy when we see your work and when we see you! The films that you do have amazing impact and help to keep all of us interested in participating and contributing in our commmunities!

  • Saltare In Elementis Dance Collective

    Heritage Film Festival was a joy to be a part of. The staff is extremely friendly and talented. Looking forward to next year's festival!

    December 2022
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind response. It was WONDERFUL having Saltare In Elementis Dance Collective as a part of this year's Heritage. We have had many great comments about your film and about the lovely interview with Director Fiona O'Brien. We are all very happy that you are now a part of the Heritage Film Festival and we are looking forward to continue to feature your work in Heritage in the years to come!

  • Abdul Sesay

    The Heritage Film Festival is one of the best I've been a part of. It was great to see "A Good Night's Rest" Screened on such a wonderful platform. I'd like to thank O.Funmilayo and the wonderful staff for putting on such a unforgettable event.

    December 2022
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Abdul, for your kind words. "A Good Night's Rest" was a hightlight of this year's Heritage and bought a smile to many faces! Thank you for being a being a part of the Heritage Family. We look forward to viewing even more of your wonderful work and including it in future Heritage Film Festivals!!!

  • Danielle Chu

    So appreciative of this film festival and all of the people who put it together, from the thoughtful, eclectic mix of films selected to the communication between filmmakers and staff. The executive director, O.Funmilayo Makarah, is a talented filmmaker herself, and the care she puts into the festival and connecting community to films really shows. During the pandemic, since the festival has been online, it created new opportunities for loved ones to see my film in an accessible way: my mom said she noticed details this time around that she hadn't seen before. Details that made us feel closer despite the time we'd spent apart. Thank you so much, Heritage FF!

    April 2022
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words. We also learned from your comments just how important it is to be able to view films if you cannot attend an in person screening. Your experimental film was a real hit and we feel honored that you shared it with us and our audience. We look forward to screening even more of your work in the future! Welcome to the Heritage family!

  • Margaret Chmiel

    Very caring and hands-on management and communication from the organizers. I was thrilled to be a part of this festival and value the connections that I've made with the organizers and the Prince Georges film community.

    November 2021
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Your film and your Q & A are WONDERFUL! We look forward to viewing your next film, and we are glad you are now a part of the Heritage family. Welcome!