The DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF) has announced its full program for the 27th annual event, returning Feb. 11-16 to venues throughout the District. This year’s festival features more than 60 films, workshops, and special events exploring the impact of sound and music on cinematic storytelling. Tickets are priced between $14 and $18, with festival passes available for $30 to $120 via Eventbrite.
Executive Director Deirdre Evans-Pritchard said the 2026 lineup “celebrates inspiring stories and the many sights and sounds that can meaningfully move us.”
DCIFF’s sound-centered programming includes a partnership with Artechouse for an immersive exhibit on three-dimensional sound, a Foley workshop for families at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, and a seminar on shooting vertical video for social platforms at the Apple Carnegie Library. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Kirk Wolfinger will also lead a masterclass on building a sustainable documentary production company.
Featured filmmakers say they are thrilled to connect with Washington audiences.
Bobby Rak, director of “Dara (A Port Harcourt Love Story?),” said he hopes the film sparks conversation about youth navigating violence and opportunity. “This story comes from a place of joy and danger existing side by side,” Rak said. “Screening it in D.C. — a city that understands complexity — means a lot to me.”
Local filmmaker Arlin Goodwin, whose short “Stop Taking Pictures” premieres at the festival, said DCIFF’s support for regional voices is invaluable.
“DCIFF is one of the few festivals where emerging filmmakers from this city can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with international artists,” Goodwin said. “I want audiences to feel both unsettled and strangely hopeful.”
Lenny Maréchal, director of “Halmeoni,” said working with a cast of senior citizens brought new meaning to the film’s resistance narrative. “Our actors carry real stories of community and survival,” Maréchal said. “Their lived experience is what gives the film its heart.”
DC filmmaker Bailey Oliver, whose comedy “Goin’ The Distance” is also featured, said he hopes audiences connect with the film’s spirit.
“We made this movie to remind people it’s OK to check out from the world — at least for a weekend,” Oliver joked.
The mockumentary “Easy Digging” by Marissa Macy rounds out the highlighted picks, along with a tribute to filmmaker Rob Reiner.
DCIFF will also host its annual “On the Hill” forum, presented with Rep. Judy Chu, examining challenges and international collaboration in filmmaking. The event takes place on Feb. 11 at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center and is open to the public.
More information is available at dciff-indie.org and on DCIFF social media channels.