BALTIMORE, Md. — The Maryland Film Festival (MdFF) will transition its annual celebration to the fall, with the 26th edition scheduled for Nov. 5-9, 2025. Traditionally held in the spring, the festival’s leadership made the move to align with the academic calendar and enhance engagement with students and educational institutions.
The change comes on the heels of the festival’s 25th-anniversary celebration, which was highlighted by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declaring May 2 as Maryland Film Festival Day in recognition of the event’s cultural impact. While the festival embraces its new fall dates, organizers plan to honor its springtime roots with special activities on Maryland Film Festival Day.
KJ Mohr, who recently took on the role of Director of Maryland Film Festival and Year-Round Film Programming at the SNF Parkway Theatre, played a key role in the shift. “Notably, the move to fall gives us the opportunity to better engage with student filmmakers and college film programs in Baltimore and beyond, and we will be inaugurating a new student film sidebar in 2025,” said Mohr. The festival will also continue its commitment to short-form films, cinematic discovery, and innovation in moving-image storytelling.
The 2025 festival will feature several highlights, including a student film section, the return of the popular opening night shorts program, and the CineTech showcase, which focuses on cutting-edge discussions and advancements in film technology. The SNF Parkway Theatre will remain the festival’s hub, hosting screenings, panels, and events spotlighting local and international talent.
The expansion to a five-day format underscores MdFF’s dedication to fostering a vibrant cultural atmosphere for filmmakers and film enthusiasts. Since its founding in 1999, the Maryland Film Festival has established itself as a significant event in the region, celebrating a diverse range of films and emerging voices in cinema.
For more information, visit mdfilmfest.com.
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