By Kieran Butler
Documentaries, dramas, romantic comedies and more are to be shown during the 17th annual Maryland Film Festival in downtown Baltimore from Wednesday to Sunday.
The five-day event drew a crowd of about 25,000 people last year, with about 50 films and 75 short films shown over the course of the festival, according to Melina Giorgi, a conference coordinator for the festival. Previous years’ host of filmmakers have included Barry Levinson and Lena Dunham.
This year’s festival will include names such as Baltimore-natives Angel Kristi Williams, who will be showing her film “Charlotte,” and John Waters, who will be presenting the film “Killer Joe.” Venues for the event will include the Baltimore Museum of Art, The Walters Art Museum, several locations at MICA, Single Carrot Theater and The Windup Space.
Spike Lee will also be showing his film “Do the Right Thing,” a story dealing with racial tension and police brutality, which plays a relevant role in Baltimore with the current protests and riots regarding Freddie Gray.
Festival representatives said that the event will go on as normal. They also said that many of the filmmakers set to show in the festival wish to be in Baltimore and “stand in solidarity with a city they love.”
Tickets for regular screenings are $12, and tickets for opening and closing night showings and galas range from $50 to $75. There is also an option to become an all-access pass holder.
There will be opportunities available for students to partake in panel discussions and will be eligible to receive a free ticket to view a screening for each discussion they attend.