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

SUBMISSIONS OPEN at Filmfreeway for DCIFF 2024 (February 21-25, 2024) in Washington, DC for fiction, documentary, animation, art and experimental film formats! We would love to review your creative work! Filmmaker-centered programming around each selected film that allows for discussion, learning and celebration with audiences. We forward careers, raise the profile of films, build networks and create engagement with audiences. DCIFF brings together passionate artists, filmmakers, critics, curators, and film enthusiasts for a celebration of independent filmmaking. All submission fees support fe ..read more

AMANI onyekwere Hey, DC Independent Film Festival! My name is Amani Onyekwere and I'm excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with this team throughout the summer. I'm a rising senior at Wilson HS (JRHS), I'm 16 years old and I’m fascinated by how films can profoundly impact and transform people's lives, shaping their perspectives in positive ways. JOY BOCOUM Hello DC Independent Film Festival! My name is Joy Bocoum and I’m passionate to be working with this team over the summer. I’m a rising senior at DCI, I’m 17 years old and I’m very excited to learn from everyone I meet during t ..read more

Lights, stones, and sculptures: Wednesday, March 1, marked the opening night of the 24th annual DC Independent Film Forum, running through March 5 and featuring over 70 films from across the globe at numerous venues from the Moxy Washington, DC Downtown and Landmark’s E Street Cinema. Opening night festivities kicked off with a pre-screening reception at the exquisite artisan shop in town Peruvian Connection, sponsored by 811 Films. Filmmakers and guests imbibed in happy hour drinks and mingled with each other before the world premiere of the documentary DIVINE INSTINCT, directed by James Goss ..read more

With the 10th annual DCIFF High School Film Festival coming up on February 25th, 2023 (free and all welcome, see HERE) we checked on one of our high school alumni. Jacob Chang-Rascle’ short film, Incubus, was selected for the DCIFF High School Festival in 2016.  It told the story of a boy who sets out on an amateur archaeology assignment with his dad. After he finds a mysterious key, the day takes a turn for the worse, as supernatural powers turn a pleasant afternoon into a nightmare. Jacob continues to create projects that are relatable to the audience and incorporate a significant messa ..read more