The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District invites filmmakers to submit recent, original work for the 12th annual Bethesda Film Fest, set for April, 2024. The festival will be will feature in-person screenings of the top selected filmmakers at Imagination Stage.

Short (5-30 minutes), documentary films by filmmakers from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. will be considered. Films must have been completed within the last two years. All topics are eligible. Filmmakers chosen for the 2023 festival are not eligible and may submit again for the 2025 festival.

Up to five films will be selected to be shown. A film by a young filmmaker, under age 18 (or still in High School Spring 2023), may also be chosen. Filmmakers whose films are selected will receive an honorarium of $1,000. Young filmmakers will receive $250.

Filmmakers are required to attend the film festival screenings in April and speak about their work.

The deadline for submission is January 9, 2024. Notifications will be sent February 15, 2024.

Please submit your films on Film Freeway.