HAGERSTOWN, Md. – For three days this weekend you might be tempted to mistake downtown for the south of France (which cinephiles know is home to the Cannes Film Festival). In the course of 72 hours, spread across six venues, more than 100 films will be screened. It’s an immense achievement, powered entirely by volunteers, that hopes to draw more local attendees than ever this year.
The Details:
Festival Website: https://www.marylandiff.org
Festival Dates: Thursday, 3/25/26 to Sunday, 3/28/26. Times vary by venue but fall roughly in the windows of: Thurs. 3/25: 5:30 p.m., Fri. 3/26: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Sat. 3/27: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Sun. 3/28: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tickets: range from $25-30 for a single day pass or $80 for access to all four days of events. Online sales have ended, but passes are available at the door every day. *Washington County Library events are FREE.
Locations: The Maryland Theatre: 21 S Potomac St.; ACT Black Box Studio: 43 S Potomac St.; The Grand Piano Ballroom: 20 W. Washington St.; USMH Event Center: 59 W. Washington St.; Washington County Free Library: 100 S. Potomac St.; Barbara Ingram School For the Arts: 7 S. Potomac St.
Navigating the festival:
The festival website is comprehensive and easy to use, particularly the Guide. However, the volume of options could certainly present an overwhelming array of choices to first time attendees. Festival co-founder Tom Riford’s pro tip for those new to the scene and not entirely sure where to start is “attend the after parties.”
While it might feel intimidating to rub elbows with the creatives, Riford said they love connecting with potential viewers and sharing the story of their piece. By making these one-to-one connections those who are less familiar with the world of independent films will find it less intimidating to gain entrè. Plus, it’s a chance to truly enjoy yourself and meet new people in some excellent downtown hangouts.
Another option is to attend the screening of films that win Festival awards from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. All winning films will play on a loop at the Barbara Ingram School Black Box , making it easy to see the cream of the crop.
Lastly, Riford encourages people to Google film titles for basic synopses and other info. Sites like IMDB provide details that can steer you towards the films most likely to appeal to you.
Festival Highlights:
Maryland International Film Festival is the largest in the state and draws submissions from all over the United States and abroad. This year there were more than 290 submissions that had to be whittled down to the 115 that will be shown.
Thanks to some fortuitous scheduling, the festival is running concurrently with its counterpart festival in Annapolis. That means film makers and their entourages can attend both events. Riford explains this makes it easier and more attractive for them to make the trip. This access to a large group of visitors benefits the community in several ways.
Attendees can speak directly with creatives, learn about their processes, and perhaps, be inspired to create themselves. Local directors are able to connect with industry contacts. These connections have led several local talents to full time careers in media.
Downtown businesses get a much appreciated boost. Festival attendees are staying near film venues. Audiences and presenters are eating out and socializing in the restaurants and bars. The wide array of venues promotes the diverse arts community already in place.
Riford shares that festival officials are particularly proud of the opportunities afforded to local students. Twelve student films will be adjudicated as part of the festival and past student participants have used this venue as a stepping stone in their careers. They even count an Emmy win among their post-festival partiipation achievements.
The awards banquet on Thursday is a must attend evening. As previously reported, donations for local charities will be collected at the event. Two yearly prizes are given to kick off the Festival.
This year Maryland’s former First Lady, Yumi Hogan, will receive the prestigious Mendez Award. MDIFF Board of Directors President Nicole Houser says, “The Mendez Award is awarded to someone who has succeeded and made a positive impact in the television, film and broadcast industries, or has supported the arts, film or television and has given back to the community. Internationally acclaimed artist Yumi Hogan is a fantastic champion for Maryland’s artists and their artwork.”
The Mendez Award is named for Tony Mendez, a CIA operative with ties to Washington County and the movie industry. Mendez was the leader of the team portrayed in the movie “ARGO” who successfully extracted U.S. diplomats from Iran by posing as a film crew.
Renowned documentary film director and producer Mike Wicklein will accept the Nora Roberts Foundation Award. Houser describes Wicklein as “one of the hardest working documentary film directors in the United States. His work is very well known, and includes Civil War subjects, Baltimore and Chesapeake Bay documentaries, and many stirring and engaging topics.”
Wicklein is a natural match for the Roberts Foundation Award, which aims to recognize prolonged success and engagement in the film industry by those with ties to Maryland. Wicklein is an alumni of the Washington County School system, frequented the Maryland Theatre as a student, and attended Hagerstown Junior College. His extensive career led him to Baltimore and beyond, while he has remained an active part of the Washington County arts scene.
Additional awards are given to Festival submissions at a ceremony on Saturday night. Audiences can join organizers and participants at Veva’s on Potomac to see if their favorites will take home a prize.
While some films will recieve official recognition, the real winners of the weekend are community members who get to experience this incredible addition to the already robust downtown arts and entertainment initiatives. If you are ready to try something other than the latest action blockbuster, this is your chance.
