(301) 791-3132
34 South Potomac Street, Suite 100, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Tues-Fri: 11am-7pm Sat: 10am -6pm or by Appt Sun-Mon: closed
Tues-Fri: 11am-7pm Sat: 10am -6pm or by Appt Sun-Mon: closed
Call for Films:
Maryland International Film Festival - Hagerstown
We are excited about our 14th year coming up on March 26 -29, 2026. We are considered Movie Magazine's top 50 festival worth their entry fee. For 14 years, we've been bringing in the finest films from around the world. The film festival became a 501(c)3 and launched in 2009.
The festival is conveniently located in downtown Hagerstown; we're in the middle of the arts and entertainment district. And after the films, we host some of the best after parties with live bands and fantastic food and drinks!
Hollywood director Joe Carnahan is the creative director for the festival. “It’s a great opportunity for directors and producers to get their work showcased. There are investors and production companies who attend the festival looking for new talent and we have seen many of the movies screened go on to be hugely successful,” Says Carnahan.
“Embrace,” “Equal Means Equal,” “Last Call at Murray’s” are just some of the movies that have gone on to receive accolades nationally and internationally following the festival.!
Feature or Documentary Films may be submitted during the following deadlines:
• October 5, 2025 Earlybird Deadline - Fee $35.00 USD
• January 30, 2026 Regular Deadline - Fee $45.00 USD
Short or Animation Films may be submitted during the following deadlines:
• October 5, 2025 Earlybird Deadline - Fee $30.00 USD
• January 30, 2026 Regular Deadline - Fee $35.00 USD
Foreign or Local (Maryland) Films may be submitted during the following deadlines:
• October 5, 2025 Earlybird Deadline - Fee $25.00 USD
• January 30, 2026 Regular Deadline - Fee $30.00 USD
College Student Films (Over 18 and must be enrolled in college). Any type of film under 30 min produced and directed by students ages 18-23 may be submitted during the following deadlines:
• October 5, 2025 Earlybird Deadline - Fee $25.00 USD
• January 30, 2026 Regular Deadline - Fee $30.00 USD
Middle/High School Student Films (18 and under). Any type of film under 30 min produced and directed by students 18 years old and under may be submitted during the following deadlines:
• October 5, 2025 Earlybird Deadline - Fee $25.00 USD
• January 30, 2026 Regular Deadline - Fee $30.00 USD
Submission Guidelines: Entries must be submitted online, through FilmFreeway's online screener option.
Entry Fees: Checks or money orders must be made payable to Maryland International Film Festival. ENTRY FEES ARE NONREFUNDABLE.
Notifications: February 24, 2026
Terms and conditions: The festival will accept works in progress but the final screener must be received 30 days prior to the festival should your film be selected. All entry fees paid are non refundable. All entered films grant MDIFF non exclusive limited use agreement to use film titles or trailers or film posters for festival promotional use including online, print, broadcast media to promote the festival and selected films to the industry and general public. Filmmakers fully retain all rights, title and interest in their films and all intellectual property. Official selection films must provide their final exhibition copy to the festival programming department 20 days prior to the festival. The Maryland International Film festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. Any submitters shall indemnify and hold harmless the Maryland International Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos.
Maryland International Film Festival - Hagerstown
34 South Potomac Street, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740
The Washington County Arts Council, Inc. is funded by an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, (MSAC), an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. An agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development, the MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities. Funding for the MSAC is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes that a great nation deserves great art. Additional funding is also provided by Washington County Government and generous businesses, organizations and individuals.
The Washington County Arts Council is a proud member of County Arts Agencies of Maryland, Maryland Citizens for the Arts and Americans for the Arts.
