October 12–16, 2023
Films
Big Sur
ShortBig Sur
ShortBig 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.
Learn MoreBlack 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...
Learn MoreCalifornia Light
ShortCalifornia Light
ShortOne filmmaker's exploration of natural light in California and its influence on the lives of those touched by this light.
Learn MoreClosing Dynasty
ShortClosing Dynasty
ShortOn a school day, a 7 year-old hustles strangers for money on the streets of New York City.
Learn MoreClosing Night Film: This is Not Financial Advice
DocumentaryClosing Night Film: This is Not Financial Advice
DocumentaryGlauber “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...
Learn MoreDirector’s Choice: A Longform Shorts Program
ShortDirector’s Choice: A Longform Shorts Program
ShortThese 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.
Learn MoreDistancias
ShortDistancias
ShortSubway patrons are confronted with their own humanity when a sudden void is created around a curious individual.
Learn MoreEscaping Ohio | Film Screening and Panel
FeatureEscaping Ohio | Film Screening and Panel
FeatureA 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...
Learn MoreEulogy
ShortEulogy
ShortRabbi Gold has a difficult time writing a eulogy for a friend.
Learn MoreFood That Saves You
ShortFood That Saves You
ShortEmerging from the isolation of grief, a man finds joy in a passion he used to share with his loved one.
Learn MoreGeneration UA
ShortGeneration UA
ShortAfter 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...
Learn MoreGeorge Mason University Student Showcase
Short Film ProgramGeorge Mason University Student Showcase
Short Film ProgramA collection of short films by outstanding FAVS (Film and Video Studies) students at our partner school, George Mason University.
Learn MoreGlimpse
ShortGlimpse
ShortA 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.
Learn MoreHafekasi
ShortHafekasi
ShortMona 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 ...
Learn MoreHelp Me Understand
Help Me Understand
Six women come to a consensus.
Learn MoreMax Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
DocumentaryMax Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
DocumentaryMAX 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 ...
Learn MoreOpening Night Film: Anna
Feature NarrativeOpening Night Film: Anna
Feature NarrativeJoin 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...
Learn MoreOutside Line
ShortOutside Line
ShortAs 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 ...
Learn MorePatrol | Film Screening and Panel
DocumentaryPatrol | Film Screening and Panel
DocumentaryAn 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 ...
Learn MoreRadio Silence
ShortRadio Silence
ShortConfronted 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...
Learn MoreRTCA Presents: The Nightmare Before Christmas
FeatureRTCA Presents: The Nightmare Before Christmas
FeatureJoin 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...
Learn MoreShort Film Friday | Program 1 of 2: Emerging
Short Film ProgramShort Film Friday | Program 1 of 2: Emerging
Short Film ProgramSHORT 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...
Learn MoreShort 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...
Learn MoreStarling
AnimationStarling
AnimationA tenacious young star soars down from the heavens for an important occasion.
Learn MoreThe Black Experience
ShortThe Black Experience
ShortFour 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 ...
Learn MoreThe Old Young Crow
ShortThe Old Young Crow
ShortMehrdad, 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...
Learn MoreThe Orchestra Chuck Built and Panel
ShortThe Orchestra Chuck Built and Panel
ShortIn 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...
Learn MoreWe 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...
Learn More