Hollywood is coming to Naptown

The 12th Annual Annapolis Film Festival, held April 4-7, is an opportunity to see unique films and interact with filmmakers and even some movie stars. 

Festival co-founder and director Patti White is excited to share the many films with the community, including several family-friendly options. One of the 80+ films screened at the festival is Empire Waist, which follows an insecure teen with a talent for fashion design. This dramedy is appropriate for older kids and teens, and after the 10 a.m. Saturday showing, attendees can attend a Q&A session, including the film’s two young actors. This is an exciting opportunity for kids and parents alike to get an insider experience and interact with the film’s stars.

Puffin Rock and the New Friends will be showing at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club on Sunday morning. This delightful animated story of puffins trying to save the last egg is for all ages. This is a special family-friendly screening. Still, White says, “Parents should let children know that while this isn’t a typical theater, there is a giant screen and everyone will want to be able to hear the film … So children should behave just as they are expected at a traditional theater.” White says the hope is to have food trucks outside, but attendees are welcome to bring their own snacks for the screening.

For parents looking for a night out, the festival offers a wide variety of date night films and experiences. “Thursday will be the ultimate date night,” White says. “The opening event includes the red carpet, a viewing of the spotlight film, Thelma, a panel, and then the after-party, which will include plenty of food, drinks, and music.”

Individual tickets to Thursday’s [April 4] festivities cost $60. The opening party is included with the festival passes, which cost $195 and include unlimited viewings and all of the panels.  

On Friday evening, Jennifer Esposito’s film Fresh Kills will be screened, followed by a Q&A session with the actress. The 7:30 start time allows for an early dinner beforehand. 

White says this year’s festival includes a wide array of films about mothers and daughters, including the buzzy The Idea of You, starring Anne Hathaway. Hathaway plays a divorced mother whose unreliable ex-husband flakes on plans with his children to attend Coachella, leaving her to accompany them, where she meets a younger man in a boy band. 

White is confident that this year’s Annapolis Film Festival will offer something for everyone, and the Annapolis Film Festival team cannot wait to share the wonderful films with attendees.  

For more information and a How to Fest guide, visit the Annapolis Film Festival website.