Thirty-two feature films in two sections — the Global Panorama and Light of Peace — this July in the capital.
Filmfest DC Summer is the new satellite festival of the Washington, DC International Film Festival. Thirty-two nominated features in two sections compete for our awards — revealed at the Closing Night ceremony on August 1. The opening ceremony will be held between July 28 and 30.
Photo: Stephanie Moreno / Peabody Awards (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay will preside over the inaugural festival jury — a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Governor representing the Directors Branch.
Director of Selma and 13th, Emmy-winning creator of When They See Us, and founder of ARRAY. She will lead the jury that selects awards among the thirty-two nominated features, announced on Closing Night, August 1.
Five nominated features that anchor the Light of Peace section of our first summer program — presented at the festival's galas and free outdoor screenings, and in competition alongside every other nominee.
01
Official Selection · Nominee
An NGO driver must pay an impossible blood debt in this relentless thriller of sacrifice and restitution across Chad.
02
Official Selection · Nominee
A Glasgow neighborhood stands down an immigration raid in this Sundance award-winning documentary. Our Closing Night film.
03
Official Selection · Nominee
Modern Cairo through the eyes of 8-year-old Toha: a tender study of the quiet class conflicts running through a household and a city.
04
Official Selection · Nominee
A virtuoso violinist in Vivaldi's Venice awakens to the power of her gift as an arranged marriage to a soldier looms. Our Opening Night film.
05
Official Selection · Nominee
The revealing portrait of Bowie, Maryland's own Eva Cassidy — free under the stars at The Wharf, date to be announced.
Twelve more nominated features from 2024–2025 complete the Light of Peace section — the 2026 Official Selection, competing for awards announced on Closing Night, August 1. Listed alphabetically.
No theme, no thesis — fifteen nominated features from the past two years of American and international cinema, in competition for the festival's awards. Nine from the United States, six from abroad. Listed alphabetically.
The Essence of Eva & Primavera at Transit Pier — dates & times to be announced. No tickets, just show up.
After closing night, five featured selections travel to historic independent cinemas across the mid-Atlantic.
July 1, 2026
The Global Panorama joins Light of Peace — thirty-two nominated features in competition for the festival's awards.
Read the announcement →
July 8, 2026
From the Avalon in DC to the Naro in Norfolk — five featured selections hit the road, August 6 to 29.
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June 12, 2026
After its 40th anniversary edition, the DC International Film Festival announces a summer satellite festival.
Read the announcement →
