The Maryland Film Festival (MdFF) has announced that submissions are open for its 26th annual festival, which has moved to the fall of 2025. Taking place Nov. 5 – 9, the 26th MdFF aims to connect with students and educational institutions in addition to filmmakers from Baltimore, Maryland and around the globe.
The MdFF has added a brand-new Student Film category to its already expansive lineup of submission opportunities as a way of widening its appeal to include students and the myriad artistic educational institutions and programs around Baltimore, like MICA, Peabody Institute, Baltimore School for the Arts, and more.
“We are excited to launch this year’s call for entries and especially to introduce the Student Film category, which reflects our deepening commitment to emerging voices and the next generation of storytellers,” said KJ Mohr, director of Maryland Film Festival & Year-Round Film Programming at the SNF Parkway Theatre. “As we move to the fall, we’re looking forward to creating even more meaningful connections with filmmakers, audiences, and educational communities while showcasing the diverse and innovative voices that make this festival so special.”
Last year the MdFF introduced their CineTech sidebar, featuring the XR (Extended Reality) category, and given participant interest, the cutting-edge technology category will be offered again this year. The festival maintains its commitment to the latest in film and interactive media, offering creators this exciting platform for immersive storytelling.
Submission categories are:
- Feature – 50 minutes or longer
- Mid-Length – 21-49 minutes
- Short – 20 minutes or less
- Local Feature – 50 minutes or longer
- Local Short – 49 minutes or less
- XR (Extended Reality)
- Games
- Performance
- Student Film
Submission deadlines are:
- Earlybird Deadline: March 31, 2025
- Regular Deadline: May 31, 2025
- Late Deadline: July 31, 2025
- Extended Deadline: August 15, 2025
To submit work, filmmakers must use the FilmFreeway page, which is at this link. The page also contains the rules and terms of submissions, in addition to contact information for the festival.
The Maryland Film Festival was founded in 1999 and has become one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events. The MdFF recently learned it will receive $20,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts to support the festival and related programming.
“The NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the efforts of organizations and artists that help to shape our country’s vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation,” NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson said when the grant was announced. “It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including the Maryland Film Festival and its year-round programming.”
