The Maryland Film Festival returns this November! The five day event which will run from November 5-9, 2025, makes its annual return to the historic SNF Parkway Theatre in the center of Baltimore City. Deeply rooted in its community, the festival is committed not only to offering a diverse range of films that reflect, interrogate and celebrate the past, present and future, but also to curating events and experiences that foster connections and strengthen community. Continuing a long tradition of spotlighting acclaimed filmmakers early on in their careers (among them Barry Jenkins, the Safdie brothers and Greta Gerwig), this year’s festival will showcase a myriad of exciting new voices and illustrious alums. As we continue to navigate truly unprecedented times, these carefully selected stories from renowned and upcoming filmmakers will entertain and broaden our perspectives on the lives, times and complex ways of being that exist in our home state and the wider world around us.
This year’s festival will feature more than 160 films, showcasing 29 features, 134 short films and 11 CineTech offerings. This edition includes Opening and Closing Night screenings, Baltishorts (a celebration of DMV filmmakers and stories), Q+ shorts (an outdoor screening of Queer short films), CineTech, Festival Journeys (carefully curated journeys through genres, identities and perspectives), along with archival screenings of Stanley Kubrick’s PATHS OF GLORY (1957), Lois Weber’s HYPOCRITES (1915) and MULTIPLE MANIACS (1970) by Baltimore’s very own John Waters. “In addition to celebrating some key classics and providing special opportunities for our audiences, Maryland Film Festival has always been a filmmakers’ festival and a discovery festival, known for showcasing and signaling up-and-coming creators who are shaping the cinema of tomorrow. This year is no different.” said MdFF’s Programming Director KJ Mohr.
Amidst a rich selection of films, it would be easy to miss a number of gems featured at this year’s festival. To help spotlight some of the year’s sleeper hits, the festival’s programming team has curated a selection of titles you should be sure to catch!
Here are a Few of the Films You Won’t Want to Miss at MdFF 2025:
Mahershala Ali made his film debut in TASTE THE REVOLUTION, a 23 year old mockumentary directed by Dan Klein. The film, which began production in 2001 and was finally completed last year (with Ali as a producer), features two filmmakers on the trail of youthful charismatic revolutionary Mac Laslow (played by Ali) and some idealistic college students organizing a “World Summit” to counter generational apathy through free food, booze, and radical politics. Programming Director KJ Mohr describes the film as a comedy of errors. “I think it’s relatable now because it just feels so ludicrous and inexplicable. There’s an overwhelming feeling of dissent amid the absurdity and it’s satisfying to watch that now. Considering the times we’re living in, it feels satisfying and almost sane.” (Friday, Nov 7 at 7:15pm in Parkway 1)
OUTERLANDS features Asia Kate Dillon (Billions) as Cass, a gig worker in San Francisco who juggles multiple jobs, including a gig as a party drug dealer, in order to make ends meet. When Cass agrees to watch their crush’s daughter after a one-night stand, what starts off as temporary childcare becomes a journey of self discovery and healing. The film is directed by Elena Oxman. (Thursday, November 6 at 1:30 in Parkway 2 and Friday, November 7 at 7pm in Parkway 3)
A lush and joyful portrait of a contemporary Indigenous gathering, POWWOW PEOPLE departs from traditional observational methods with the filmmakers taking an active role in shaping the verite style documentary. Organized with the filmmakers, the powwow brings together dancers, singers, vendors, and community members, all of whom participated in both the celebration and the filmmaking process. What emerges is a wonderfully immersive experience for the viewer.
Discussing his inspiration for the film, director Sky Hopinka said, “I grew up going to powwows, and I’ve been a dancer since I was about four years old. My mom is a dancer and my dad is a drummer, so it’s just always been a part of my life. When I first started making films one of the first ideas I had was around powwows, and I had been thinking about making this film for a number of years.”
He also noted the complex history of the event and its significance in Native communities. “It’s an event that is important culturally for a lot of good reasons, and it is a complicated one. They were developed during the implementation of the reservation system in the late 1800’s. They were designed to get white people to reservations, so part of it was the performance of culture, and there are a lot of different ideas around the spectacle of that. That being said, there is also a lot of agency involved in how people are presenting themselves, and there are ways this has been unifying for all of us.”
Unfolding over the course of a single day and through the lives of four central figures, the film explores themes of endurance and evolution, all bathed in the joy of tradition and community. (Friday, November 7 at 1pm in Parkway 2 and Sunday, November 9 at 12:45pm in Parkway 1)
Another satisfyingly and beautifully immersive film is KOUTÉ VWA (Listen to the Voices), which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival where it won the Special Jury Prize. The story follows Melrick, a 13-year-old boy who spends the summer with his grandmother in Cayenne, French Guyana. Melrick becomes drawn to the drum, an instrument that stirs memories of his uncle, Lucas, a drummer who died under tragic circumstances over a decade earlier. As old wounds resurface and tensions simmer, Melrick searches for a way to move forward through a legacy of grief and forgiveness. (Thursday, November 6 at 3:45pm in Parkway 2 and Friday, November 7 at 9:15pm in the Lazarus Theatre)
Winner of MdFF’s Maryland Filmmaker Fellowship, RICKY by Rashad Frett is another highlight of the festival. The film, which also won the Directing Award (U.S. Dramatic) at Sundance, follows 30-year-old Ricky who has recently been released from prison after being locked up since his teens. Ricky struggles to navigate life as an adult and confronts the challenging realities of life post-incarceration. The film features Stephan James, Simbi Kali, Maliq Johnson and Sheryl Lee Ralph in stirring performances. (Saturday, November 8 at 7:30 pm in Parkway 1)
Some other notable films are ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE?, a timely documentary that offers a searing look into the Electoral College; LOVE CHAOS KIN , a compellingly fascinating story that explores class, roots and belonging; THE TALLEST DWARF, an enlightening and gripping film about identity and self discovery within the Little People community and; MdFF alum William Means’ JUNKIE, a roller coaster trip of a narrative tinged with touching poignancy and humor, about a meth-addicted mother who journeys in search of redemption.
The spirit of the festival lives on long after the credits roll with festival afterparties providing opportunities for filmmakers, audiences and community members to unwind, connect and celebrate. In addition to the Opening and Closing Night afterparties and parties on Thursday night at Royal Blue, Filmmaker Mixer at Fadensonnen on Friday and a party at Mama Koko’s on Friday night, this year’s lineup includes a Q+ afterparty at Current Space featuring a live performance from Girlypop Princess as well as appearances from local drag queens.
For more details on these and other festival selections, special programs and afterparties visit the MdFF website for the full lineup, screening schedule, filmmaker talks, panels and ticket information.
Thanks for the recommendations – very helpful.