The 2026 Overlea ArtsFest/CCBC Film Festival
– May 8th, 9th & 10th at the CCBC Essex campus –
7201 Rossville Blvd., Baltimore 21237 – The Arts & Humanities Hall
We are excited to announce that the Film Festival dates are confirmed for May 8, 9 & 10, 2026 and event plans are now underway! All previous submissions received by September 22, 2025 that were accepted by the jurors will be screened at the festival.
Submissions will re-open on January 26th for 2 groups ONLY:
- STUDENT FILMMAKERS in Maryland, and
- EMERGING or ESTABLISHED FILMMAKERS in Maryland
This final round of submissions will close on Sunday March 15th, 2026 at midnight. Notifications go out by April 5th. If you’ve never entered a juried film festival before, or you want to meet other creatives working in film, this is your chance to get connected and promote your work!
SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW BEING TAKEN THROUGH OUR FILM FREEWAY PAGE.
Please go to https://filmfreeway.com/OverleaArtsFestFilmFestival to submit your films!
ArtsFest has showcased short films since we began in 2016 as part of our multi-media festival. The Overlea ArtsFest Film Festival is now officially a distinct event of its own, in partnership with the Digital Media Production Department of CCBC Essex! The Overlea ArtsFest/CCBC Film Festival celebrates emerging voices and local storytelling in our community. We are dedicated to showcasing the work of student filmmakers, emerging artists, and local creators who are developing their craft and contributing to the vibrant cultural landscape of our region.
We feature innovative, authentic and human-created cinema that reflects diverse perspectives and original voices. This year we welcome generative AI films to acknowledge the growing impact of the genre.
We are also proud to welcome Baltimore film icon George Figgs as a member of our Short Films committee. George owned and operated the Orpheum Cinema in Fells Point for 10 years, and has been a film archivist, musician, artist and film curator for many years.
FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Our festival weekend program is still evolving but we have some great updates for you, with film screenings every day:
- FRIDAY EVENING – Opening Reception and CCBC Student Films – 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Opening Reception & Networking, PLUS the CCBC Digital Media Production Department “Student Film Screening.” See all the great films created by CCBC students this semester to kick off the festival weekend!
- SATURDAY – Seminar Day – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm – Speakers & Seminars for filmmakers of all levels, on essential creative & technical skills for making better films. Taught by experienced industry professionals. Tickets required, but are FREE through Eventbrite.
- SATURDAY EVENING – Juried Film Screenings – 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm – PLUS “Meet the Filmmaker” talks
- SUNDAY – Juried Film Screenings – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm – PLUS “Meet the Filmmaker” talks
- SUNDAY EVENING – Awards Ceremony – 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm – Presentation of prizes & certificates to winners of the Short Film Juried
Competition
Exact times are subject to change. Updates will be shared here and on our social media as they happen!
SATURDAY SEMINAR PROGRAM
All local filmmakers and creatives are welcome to attend these informative FREE seminars and talks planned for Saturday! There will be sessions designed for both beginning and professional film creators. Each session includes a 15-minute Q&A period immediately afterward.
- Lighting on a Shoestring Budget
- Stronger Documentary Filmmaking
- Screenwriting for Better Films
- Archiving and Cataloging Film Footage
- How to Be a Great P.A. – the perfect way to get your foot in the door!
- Experimental Filmmaking
- Contracts, Releases & Copyrights: Legal Advice for Independent Filmmakers
- More to come!