Fall is prime time for film buffs and cinephiles to binge a variety of new movies and classic features at an area film festival. This season, hometown favorites return with packed lineups of filmmaker panels, screenings, and glitzy parties. Plus, a new pop-up—American Black Film Festival—is in town to spotlight Black stories.
1. AFI Latin American Film Festival
Explore Latin American movies with a pass to this multi-week film fest. AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is screening 43 movies such as World Cup documentary The Match and the US premiere of São Paulo dramedy Isabel. The theater is also hosting filmmaker talks and throwing parties with embassies ($15 for general admission, $200 for festival pass).
2. American Black Film Festival
American Black Film Festival marks their 30th anniversary with a pop-up at Union Market’s Angelika. Over three days, viewers can see stories on Black culture and heritage come to life on the big screen. Plus, creatives looking to learn new skills can take a screenwriting master class and listen to panel discussions on economics and binge-worthy true crime stories ($15+ single tickets).
3. March On Film Festival
The March On Film Festival tells moving, creative stories that spotlight the unsung change-makers from the civil rights era. This year’s keynote speakers and honorees are community leaders such as local Broadway producer Marjuan Canady, Senator Cory Booker, and Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Capehart. The multi-day schedule features a Mardi Gras-inspired opening night, film screenings, panel discussions, and an open mic showcase to mark the country’s 250th birthday (free+, donations welcome).
4. Immigration Film Fest
Immigration Film Fest, organized by local nonprofit KAMA DC, is dedicated to sharing the stories and experiences of refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants. The hybrid lineup makes it easy for moviegoers to catch screenings from the comfort of home or at an in-person showing at Festival Center or MLK Memorial Library ($55+ in-person pass, $40 virtual pass).
5. Washington West Film Festival
October 2, 8-12
location_on LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Reston, Reston Town Center Pavilion
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Watch shorts, documentaries, and narrative flicks at Washington West Film Festival. The lineup includes ESL: More Than a Language—a directorial debut—and dark comedy The Cashier. You can also view new films from university students at George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth ($22 for single passes, $100+ for festival pass).
6. Noir City DC
This is the festival for fans of classic Hollywood crime and detective dramas. Writer and film historian Eddie Muller and the Film Noir Foundation return to AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center with a curated selection of films noir. This year, music fans can spot iconic singers and performers such as Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., and Doris Day starring alongside film noir actors ($200 pass).
7. Middleburg Film Festival
Although the advance festival passes to this high-profile event are already sold out, you can snag an individual ticket when they are released in October. Top directors, film creators, and actors will gather for narrative and documentary showings, Q&A sessions, awards ceremonies, and more (single passes and film schedule TBA, advanced all-access passes sold out).
8. Utopia Film Festival
Greenbelt’s longtime neighborhood film festival spotlights motion pictures that touch on the themes of cultural diversity, community building, environmental issues, and politics. Head to the Historic Greenbelt Theatre, New Deal Cafe, or the Greenbelt Municipal Building for screenings of selected documentary shorts, animations, independent features, and locally produced films ($20 pass).
9. Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival
Investigative reporters and storytellers team up at this film festival for documentary screenings, journalism workshops, and filmmaker symposiums that unpack the theme “on the record.” The fest kicks off with the US premiere of The Six Billion Dollar Man—a documentary deep dive into the life of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange ($50+ pass, $25 single session pass).
10. HBCU First LOOK Film Festival
Films from finalists in the HBCU First LOOK student filmmaker challenge will be shown at Howard University this November. The three-day festival hosts movie screenings, panel discussions, keynote addresses, and master classes with celebrities and HBCU graduates ($36+ pass).
11. Wheaton Film Festival
Mingle and network with industry professionals at the Wheaton Film Festival. Audiences can watch video projects and join educational seminars on business in the film industry. Plus, awards will be presented for Best Overall Film, Best Community Story, and Best Student Film, followed by an after-party at Limerick Pub with sips and bites ($28+ pass).
12. Alexandria Film Festival
Local filmmakers will have a chance to shine at this festival, which also draws producers, actors, composers, and directors. This year’s lineup has yet to be released, but previous offerings have included a showcase of student productions as well as filmmaker panels (price TBA).
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Briana A. Thomas is a local journalist, historian, and tour guide who specializes in the research of D.C. history and culture. She is the author of the Black history book, Black Broadway in Washington, D.C., a story that was first published in Washingtonian in 2016.
