(Hagerstown, MD) - The 9th Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown is set for August 20-22, 2021. The festival has won praise over the years, including being listed as one of Movie Magazine's top 50 festival worth the entry fee. This year’s festival had been delayed by COVID last year, and will be taking place in five venues in Downtown Hagerstown.
Over the years, the festival has attracted some of the finest independent films from around the world. The film festival became a 501(c)3 and launched in 2009 and annually screens more than 100 films each year!
Board president Nicole Houser said, “This annual festival was delayed by the pandemic, and we’re glad to be able to make it happen finally in 2021. All of the films will be screened in venues throughout Hagerstown’s downtown; in the middle of the arts and entertainment district.” Houser added that after each night, there are ‘after parties’ in Bulls and Bears and 28 South.
There are new films, and films waiting to premiere. The festival this year had over 300 submissions, and awards will be given for Best Feature, Best Short, Best Animation, Best Student, Best Documentary, Best Local Film, and Best Foreign Film! Additionally, the festival annually awards the prestigious Mendez Award and the Nora Roberts Foundation Award on opening night.
Nicole Houser said it really is an international film festival. She pointed out that there are 118 films on the schedule for the five venues. “We have films from 18 other countries, and also 17 films from Maryland filmmakers.” The screenings will take place at the Historic Maryland Theatre, the Washington County Free Library, the Grand Piano Ballroom, the University System of Maryland-Hagerstown (at the new Hospitality Center at 55-59 W. Washington Street), and the new ACT Black Box Theatre on S. Potomac Street!
Houser said that the festival has become a great gathering of independent filmmakers, “Many of the films shown at this festival have gotten picked up for distribution. This includes on Netflix, Amazon, Apple streaming, network television, and also in theaters after this festival. The community gets an opportunity to talk to the filmmakers, ask questions about their process and find out what happens behind the scenes. It is a unique experience that you don’t get when just watching a movie on your own.”
The film festival has published its complete schedule here: https://www.marylandiff.org/files/2021-Viewing-schedule.pdf
Also, the film festival’s tickets are available here: https://filmfreeway.com/MarylandInternationalFilm.../tickets
The Maryland International Film Festival - Hagerstown, is organized by filmmakers and marketing executives who understand the power of film and support the talent of the independent filmmaker. The 501c3 organization’s goal is to fill theaters to capacity, encourage the development of filmmaker networks including media, distribution and the association with other artists. MDIFF - Hagerstown, believes in the importance of giving back to the community and consistently donates a portion of the proceeds to charities.
Website: www.marylandiff.org.
Sponsors for the film festival include:
• Anderson Photographs
• Bowman Group LLC
• Gideon Properties LLC
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Hagerstown
• The Nora Roberts Foundation
• The City of Hagerstown
• Tom Riford
• University System of Maryland Hagerstown
• Visit Hagerstown - Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Washington County Arts Council, Inc.
• Washington County Chamber of Commerce
• Washington County Government
