The 2016 Annapolis Film Festival arrives in style for its fourth year on Thursday, March 31, screening more than 70 independent films through Sunday, April 3. AFF’s 2016 slate of films includes both documentary and narrative works, feature-length and short works, from 22 different countries. The Opening Night film will be screened at Mitscher Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy. Films will be shown in six locations including St. John’s College, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Asbury United Methodist Church, St. Anne’s Parish House, and Annapolis Elementary School at Green Street.
Since year one, the Annapolis Film Festival has grown from approximately 2,600 people in the seats to 9,100 in 2015. The festival has already garnered acclaim for top-quality films along with a growing reputation as a networking event appealing to professional filmmakers who also enjoy the charm and hospitality of our historic maritime setting.
A grant from the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County has allowed AFF for the first time to bring a panel of distinguished industry experts to Annapolis to judge the five documentaries and five narratives in AFF’s premiere Juried Shorts Program. The winners will receive a $500 cash award, with the winning films announced and shown at Best of Fest. Another new feature is Local Focus, in which eight films with a local connection through the subject or filmmaker will be designated in the program with a Black-eyed Susan, the State flower.
Popular events returning to AFF 2016 are the African-American and Environmental Showcases; films about the Jewish, Hispanic and LGBT experiences; Coffee Talks With…, an early morning Q&A for VIP passholders; and a number of film premieres. Red carpet events include the Opening Night After Party at the temporary home of the Annapolis Yacht Club and Saturday Night BASH at Baroak, Loews Annapolis Hotel.
Our crowd-pleasing Industry Panels return to the O’Callaghan Annapolis Hotel and Ram’s Head on Stage with subjects that include The Doc World, The Director’s Chair, The Tools of the Trade, and The Sizzle Reel. Meet Young Hollywood, sponsored by SAGIndie and moderated by its National Director, Darrien Michele Gipson, introduces festival-goers to a group of up-and-coming young stars who will talk about their experiences.
To buy tickets, and for more information, go to www.annapolisfilmfestival.com. Four-day passes are available now for $115.
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