Every spring, Annapolis transforms into a hub for film lovers, and this year’s Annapolis Film Festival delivered on all fronts. From a buzzing opening night reception to diverse showcases, the festival was four days of great films, great conversations, and an electric community energy that the city does better than just about anywhere.
Opening Night
The festivities began with a pre-reception inside Maryland Hall, where festival pass holders, filmmakers, community members, and industry guests mingled over food and drinks. A highlight for us was the ice cream from Taharka Brothers, the beloved Baltimore creamery, which was a perfect touch for the evening. Notable attendees included actor Kevin Sorbo and veteran journalist Chris Wallace, and the crowd buzzed with anticipation as filmmakers and actors walked the red carpet before the screening.
Once everyone was seated, the festival officially kicked off with the world premiere screening of John Carney’s Power Ballad, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. Carney, an Academy Award winner best known for Once and Sing Street, once again centers his story on the transformative power of music. The film was heartwarming and sincere, with great music and resonant themes about identity. It was a perfect opening night selection.
The evening carried on well past the screening. Guests made their way to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for the after party, a ticketed event that kicked off at 9:30 p.m. and ran well past midnight. Guests rode the elevator up to the third floor, where they were greeted by staff and welcomed with an immediate photo opportunity in front of the Annapolis Film Festival backdrop. From there, the night opened up in two directions. Head left and you found an open bar, food, and a jazz band providing a warm, lively soundtrack all night long. Head right and there was another bar, more food, and plenty of space to stand and chat. It was the perfect kickoff to the festival!
What We Saw
The first full day of programming brought us to Asbury United Methodist Church for a Documentary Shorts block. The selections were a delightful mix of lighthearted and heartwarming stories, including a profile of the need for small-town doctors, a film about lesbian seagulls, and a short about a middle school boy with an unlikely obsession with Joseph Stalin. Two stood out above the rest.
Being Buble followed a standup comedian hired to impersonate Michael Buble despite bearing little resemblance to the man. The crowd laughed from start to finish as he commits fully to the bit. It was an absolute crowd-pleaser. The other standout was The Baddest Speechwriter of All, co-directed by NBA star Steph Curry, which tells the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s lawyer and speechwriter. It is nearly impossible to watch without feeling inspired and emotional. Both shorts were highlights of the weekend.
Later in the festival, we caught Chili Finger, a comedy thriller with a stacked cast including Judy Greer, John Goodman, and Bryan Cranston. The premise is delightfully absurd: a small-town lawyer discovers a severed finger in her chili and decides to blackmail the restaurant for a cash payout in an attempt to reclaim control of her mundane life. Of course, things spiral quickly. The film is very funny, and the cast knocks it out of the park.
Saturday brought the world premiere of Sum Function, a documentary centered on a group of friends, each impaired in all four limbs, who confront challenges far more personal than anything found on a scoreboard. On and off the wheelchair rugby court, they grapple with purpose, survival, connection, and the daily realities of navigating a world not built for them. Several cast and crew members attended the premiere and participated in a Q&A afterward. The film was emotional, powerful, and one of the most memorable screenings of the weekend.
Awards
The festival wrapped up Sunday afternoon with the Best of Fest screening, which served as both a celebration and a send-off. The event featured the announcement of Audience Award winners and Jury Prize winners across short and feature categories. Following the ceremony, attendees were treated to screenings of the winning films in four categories: Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Short, and Best Documentary Short. It was a wonderful way to close out the weekend, giving audiences one more chance to celebrate the films that resonated most.
The Annapolis Film Festival continues to be one of the best regional film festivals on the East Coast. It strikes a rare balance between accessible and adventurous, showcasing major talent alongside emerging voices and giving audiences genuine access to the filmmakers behind the work. Whether you were there for the parties, the premieres, or simply the joy of watching great movies with an enthusiastic crowd, this year’s festival had something for everyone. We are already looking forward to next year.
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