A Heartfelt Thanks to the Partners Supporting Independent Film in Washington, DC. At the Washington DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF), we are privileged to foster creativity and innovation in film ..read more

Why Independent Film Matters More Than Ever: DCIFF 2025 As we step into the 26th edition of the DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF), we are reminded of the vital role ..read more

Why Now Is the Time for Young Filmmakers to Share Their Stories: Y-CAM High School Film Festival at DCIFF 2025 In a world where content is consumed rapidly and stories ..read more

We have kept DCIFF somewhat insular, believing that new ideas and individual attention to filmmakers flourish best if we are not trying to run a film festival based on exactly ..read more

Animation: Honorable mentions  The Room Amira’s letters 2nd place I Built a Paper House  1st place Falling Down Live action – Honorable mentions  The Window  Under the Willow Tree 2nd place  Dean’s list 1st place Jess  Audience award I Built a Paper House ..read more

DC Independent Film Forum Program February 21-24, 2024 / Films in Competition Wednesday February 21st / Opening Night  6pm-7pm: Reception:   7pm-9.45pm Screening: Meeting Zelensky (UK/2024/90mins) directed by Andre Singer (Special Preview Screening, Not in competition) From 9:45pm Coffee and Dessert Venue: JCC, 1529 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 (Those wishing to attend please use the donate button for $15 per ticket through DCIFF with MEETING ZELENSKY in the COMMENT line. Seating is Limited. Access here:  https://dciff-indie.org/donate/ Thursday February ..read more

Feature Films Wolfpack (France/ 2023/ 52mins) directed by Cédric Peyster – Le Roux; Lead Cast:  Damas Roy, Romain Léon, David Lancelin Guerrero, Solène Guittenit, Luna Ribeiro, Dionéa Daboville. In a not too distant future, the youth have decided to get back at the older generations and start hunting them at night. Matthieu, 50 years old, will have to survive the pack that is chasing him. When Adam Changes (Canada/2023/ 1.33mins/animation) directed by Joël Vaudreuil. Adam is a 15-year-old teenager whose body changes according to the mockery and negative comments he receives from those aro ..read more

Dean’s List (USA / 2023 / 12.54mins / fiction) directed by Kennedy Reid As an ambitious student tries climbing the ranks of her elitist school, she uncovers a looming secret within the institution. Through Fire  (USA / 2023 / 8:58 mins / documentary) directed by Wyatt Thompson Through Fire tells the story of three teenagers who struggled with different forms of addiction. Through music, photography, and football, they developed new passions and discovered a path forward. Room (USA / 2023 / 9.14 mins /animation ) directed by Ian Dani Kim. A teenager struggles with depression and socia ..read more

DCIFF will be hosting a 6-week program for teenagers who are interested in learning how to make a film as well as how to produce it. You will have a unique chance to meet interesting professionals and see how they work in their space. Participants will be part of a group of young filmmakers aged 14-18 whose films will be premiered at the end of the course as a part of a DCIFF public event.  *The course will take place from January 6th to February 10th in Washington D.C. Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mhZ_VeXeiG3sJT9y_grUwg0PVxTE-jG5q5zkRpkoM5U/viewform?edit_requested=true I ..read more

DCIFF Executive Director Deirdre Evans-Pritchard was joined by our wonderful summer 2023 intern Amani Onyekwere at a talk by director Christopher Nolan hosted by The Washington Post. In town to receive an Award, Nolan spoke at length about his last film Oppenheimer.   Asked about his interest in storytelling through cutting up and manipulating time, he said that film and digital imaging has a unique relationship to how it can play with time and he likes to explore this. The process of film editing is time manipulation.  He also expressed surprise that Oppenheimer had becom ..read more