October 12–16, 2023

October 12–16, 2023
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Films

2023 Film Festival

28 films
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Big Sur
Short
Big Sur
Short

Big Sur follows Faye on the eve of her 40th anniversary, as she and her husband return to the beloved place they eloped to many years before.  

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Black Barbie
Black Barbie

Love her or hate her, almost everyone has a Barbie story. Even if they don’t have a story, there’s a story as to why they don’t have a story. In this film, we tell the story behind the first Bla...

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California Light
Short
California Light
Short

One filmmaker's exploration of natural light in California and its influence on the lives of those touched by this light.

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Closing Dynasty
Short
Closing Dynasty
Short

On a school day, a 7 year-old hustles strangers for money on the streets of New York City.

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Closing Night Film: This is Not Financial Advice
Documentary
Closing Night Film: This is Not Financial Advice
Documentary

Glauber “Pro” Contessoto—an immigrant working multiple jobs and living in a 220-square-foot apartment—gambles his life savings on a joke cryptocurrency. Two months later, he becomes “The Dog...

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Director’s Choice: A Longform Shorts Program
Short
Director’s Choice: A Longform Shorts Program
Short

These captivating selections from our Executive Board will take you on a journey through the intricate tapestry of the human experience, weaving together themes of grief, identity, magic, and beauty.

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Distancias
Short
Distancias
Short

Subway patrons are confronted with their own humanity when a sudden void is created around a curious individual.

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Escaping Ohio | Film Screening and Panel
Feature
Escaping Ohio | Film Screening and Panel
Feature

A coming-of-age romcom following Sam and JJ, two 18-yr-olds facing adulthood. When it becomes clear Sam intends to leave their small town for new adventures in California, JJ dares her to let him prov...

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Eulogy
Short
Eulogy
Short

Rabbi Gold has a difficult time writing a eulogy for a friend.

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Food That Saves You
Short
Food That Saves You
Short

Emerging from the isolation of grief, a man finds joy in a passion he used to share with his loved one.

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Generation UA
Short
Generation UA
Short

After the outbreak of a full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine, the Ruslan Shostak Foundation carried out the largest evacuation of orphans since the Second World War. Rescued 1700 orphans from Ukra...

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George Mason University Student Showcase
Short Film Program
George Mason University Student Showcase
Short Film Program

A collection of short films by outstanding FAVS (Film and Video Studies) students at our partner school, George Mason University.

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Glimpse
Short
Glimpse
Short

A soon-to-be-engaged couple have an unexpected vision of their future and are forced to face if this seeming reality is now their destiny.

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Hafekasi
Short
Hafekasi
Short

Mona is a 10 year old Tongan-Australian girl who begins to realise she's different to her single, white mum and family. Both mother and daughter navigate identity and belonging in Australian suburbia ...

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Help Me Understand
Help Me Understand

Six women come to a consensus.

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Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
Documentary
Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
Documentary

MAX ROACH: THE DRUM ALSO WALTZES explores the life and music of the legendary drummer, composer, bandleader, and social activist through a remarkable series of creative peaks, struggles, and personal ...

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Opening Night Film: Anna
Feature Narrative
Opening Night Film: Anna
Feature Narrative

Join us on opening night for a private pre-release screening of Anna and post screening panel with producer Mark Maxey and guests. ANNA | A Russian journalist’s brave crusade, fighting for an ind...

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Outside Line
Short
Outside Line
Short

As one of the only Black drivers and having no connections in the sport, Rajah Caruth is a relative outsider in NASCAR. Nevertheless, he has forged an unlikely path from virtual racing to the sport's ...

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Patrol | Film Screening and Panel
Documentary
Patrol | Film Screening and Panel
Documentary

An emerging crisis in one of the last remaining rainforests in Central America ignites a heroic mission in PATROL. When illegal cattle ranchers decimate large swaths of rainforest, indigenous rangers ...

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Radio Silence
Short
Radio Silence
Short

Confronted with her mother's illness, radio DJ- Tracey Odelle navigates the hauntingly beautiful memories of her past and the painful realities of her present; Ultimately orchestrating a broadcast foc...

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RTCA Presents: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Feature
RTCA Presents: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Feature

Join RTCA and the Washington West Film Festival to kick off this “spooky season” with a showing of the Tim Burton classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, which will coincide with Disney’s relea...

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Short Film Friday | Program 1 of 2: Emerging
Short Film Program
Short Film Friday | Program 1 of 2: Emerging
Short Film Program

SHORT FILM FRIDAY - This year BOTH Friday evening shorts programs + dinner & dessert + drink for ONE ticket. Join us for a brand new experience this year. A thoughtfully curated journey through th...

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Short Film Friday | Program 2 of 2: Navigating
Short Film Friday | Program 2 of 2: Navigating

SHORT FILM FRIDAY -This year BOTH Friday evening shorts programs + dinner & dessert + drink for ONE ticket. Join us for a brand new experience this year. A thoughtfully curated journey through th...

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Starling
Animation
Starling
Animation

A tenacious young star soars down from the heavens for an important occasion.

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The Black Experience
Short
The Black Experience
Short

Four aspiring black screenwriters find out the writing world may not be as inclusive as they'd hoped when they pitch their dream projects to a movie executive who is only interested in the "authentic ...

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The Old Young Crow
Short
The Old Young Crow
Short

Mehrdad, now an old man, recalls his encounter with an elderly Japanese woman named Chiyo at a graveyard in Tokyo near his elementary school. Through his childhood sketchbook, he reflects on the myste...

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The Orchestra Chuck Built and Panel
Short
The Orchestra Chuck Built and Panel
Short

In 2016, the League of American Orchestras conducted a study that revealed a shocking statistic: only 1.8% of the professional orchestra workforce in the US is Black. From an old church rec room in th...

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We Feed People + Panel
We Feed People + Panel

We Feed People spotlights chef José Andrés and his nonprofit World Central Kitchen's evolution over a 12-year period, from being a scrappy group of volunteers to becoming one of the most highly rega...

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