our city film festival

Sixth & I Synagogue-600 I Street, NW
8pm Start Time
Entry free with film ticket purchase or without- $8 online, $10 door.

Hear local bands, meet filmmakers, devour Georgetown Cupcakes, and enjoy a bar stocked with local brews.

Christylez Bacon-Christylez is back again this year with his unparalleled, GRAMMY Nominated, Progressive Hip-Hop, beat-box sound. Originally from Southeast DC, and once the subject of an Our City Film Festival screened film, no matter your musical taste, you will love his original sound and wonder, "How does he do that!?"

Party Girl-Tight, funky, Costello-cover band comprised of musicians whose previous bands range from motown to reggae to garage.

Edge Theory-One of the top progressive jazz bands in DC, whose roots stem from Howard University's Jazz Ensemble.

Fado's Irish Pub-808 7th Street, NW
Open doors all day/night long

Enjoy free appetizers, beer specials and creative company all day long.

Entry free with VIP Ticket purchase and for notified filmmakers.

Films are screened at The Goethe Institute-812 7th Street, NW

Enjoy a variety of screenings of films that highlight the cultures, residents, neighborhoods and history of our city.

Purchase tickets for any of the following films at this link. 

OUR DOCS IN PROGRESS-10:30-12:30

Docs in Progress will kick off our screenings with a screening of a nearly-finished documentary. You, as audience members are invited to give feedback on the story structure and character development to the filmmaker as she works to complete her film. The film being screened is Ellie Walton's FLY BY LIGHT. Synopsis: In the summer of 2011, fifteen high school students from diverse neighborhoods across Washington DC were uprooted from the hustle of inner-city life to beautiful mountain vistas and springs of West Virginia. For many of the teenagers, this was their first time leaving the concrete confines of the city. Follow them on this transformational journey.

OUR BODY-12:45-2:15

One Punch at a Time (9 min)

Lawrence Dortch (dir.)
This short documentary tells the inspirational story of Asia Stevenson, an 18 year-old boxer hoping to qualify for the first women’s U.S. Olympics boxing team. Growing up in foster care, Asia was an angry young girl but found a home at Headbangers Boxing Club.
 
Fast Forward (13 min)
Brian Beary and Marcel Acosta (dirs.)
This short documentary provides a glimpse into the struggles and successes of founding DC’s now thriving gay and lesbian running club, The Front Runners.

The Vigil (30 min)-BEST DOCUMENTARY
Arya Surowidjojo (dir.)
This documentary tells the story of a Pakistani classical dancer, trained in an ancient Hindu art form, who journeys home from her adopted home of DC, for the performance of her lifetime. This film represents one of the myriad international presence in our city.

Filmmakers Q & A (30 min)

OUR MIND-2:45-4:05

St. Elizabeth’s Hospital: A Brief History (9 min)

Dustin Harrison-Atlas (dir.)
This historical documentary explores the turbulent rise, decline, and rebirth of mental healthcare in the 21st century, using Washington’s St. Elizabeth’s Hospital as a microcosm.

A Monument for Martin Luther King, Jr. (6 min)
Tim Cone (dir.)
This short is a thoughtful video essay exploring the significance of the MLK, Jr. Memorial and the future of memorials in our modern world.

The Road to Rehabilitation and Reform (20 min)
Angela Massino and Daniel Okonkwo (dirs.)
Committed youth, judges, mental health experts and others tell the story of DC’s juvenile justice agency’s horrible failures and now hopeful successes.

Filmmakers Q & A (30 min)

OUR HEART 4:30-5:50

Let’s Get Out of Here (12 min)

Sareen Hairabedian (dir.)
This short documentary explores the meaning and reason behind DC’s youngest street artists and their ‘paste and run’ attitude.

Life as a Collage (24 min)-BEST STUDENT FILM
Forest Penrod and Lance Kramer (dirs.)
This documentary is made by seven DC students in an attempt to give a local artist and beloved teacher at the Sitar Center, Tim Gabel, a last chance to speak words of wisdom as he struggles with terminal liver cancer.

Filmmakers Q & A (30 min)

First Day Home (14 min)

Drew Louis and Joshua Cohen (dirs.)
DC serves as a backdrop to this short narrative about Cory’s first day out of prison after a five-year stint. He visits those most important to him to make amends and settle scores.

Out for Good (19 min)
Nico Colombant (dir.)
This short documentary follows DC resident, Eddie Ellis, Jr. as he struggles to recover from his 15 years in prison, while at the same time searching for ways to improve the difficult fate of home-comers across the United States.

Porchfest (8 min)-BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
Lance and Brandon Kramer (dirs.)
This short documentary tells the story of how a city block was inspired to come together through music.

Filmmakers Q & A (30 min)

Performance by This is Lea (featured in Porchfest) will take place directly after the screening in the main hall.

OUR SOUL 7:30-9:00