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 can’t wait to welcome you to the film festival at CCBC Essex on May 8th, 9th and 10th! The festival weekend is packed with film screenings, educational seminars, talks and networking. Come get inspired by dozens of local, national and international films, and meet other creatives working in the film industry. It’s a great opportunity to get connected and promote your work! And don’t forget to cast your votes for your favorite films in the Peoples’ Choice Awards – details will be in your event program.
** Go to our Eventbrite page for FREE tickets to all festival screenings, seminars and activities: https://tinyurl.com/OAF-CCBC-filmfest
FRIDAY EVENING SCHEDULE:
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm – OPENING RECEPTION and CCBC STUDENT FILM SCREENING
- Event Kickoff & Networking
- Get your photo taken on the red carpet!
- Opening remarks by County Executive Kathy Klausmeier and CCBC president Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis
- Student Film Screening – see all the great films created by CCBC Digital Media Production Department students this semester to start off the festival weekend!
- Refreshments will be served before the film screenings.
SATURDAY SCHEDULE:
10:00 am – 3:30 pm – EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS
Filmmakers and creators of all levels are invited to attend these informative FREE seminars on essential creative and technical skills for making better films. Each session is taught by an experienced industry professional, and includes a 10-minute Q&A period immediately afterward.
* Coffee will be served in the lobby until 12:30. Boxed lunches will be available in the lobby between noon and 2:00 pm for $12 each, while supplies last. Grab lunch to take to class!
- Lighting on a Shoestring Budget – by Embu Seitu, lighting designer & director, with Serious Grip & Electric staff
- Contracts, Releases & Copyrights: Legal Advice for Independent Filmmakers – by MD Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
- How to Be a Valuable On-Set PA: The Perfect Way to Get your Foot in the Door! – by Morgan Babinski, Producer & Brand Manager at Producers Video
- The Script Doctor: Advice & Anecdotes for Screenwriters – by Gabe DiDomenico, screenwriter
- Cutting It Close: Stories, Mistakes and Magic in the Edit Room – by Neil Beller, creative director & editor
- Making Sound Choices: Tips on Capturing & Delivering Great Sound for your Production – by Dave Vespoint, field sound recordist, audio post engineer & sound designer
- Adventures of an Underground D.I.Y. Filmmaker – by Skizz Cyzyk, filmmaker, musician, writer & artist
- Starting as a Film & Video Producer – by Mei Lin Lau Mann, Video Content Producer at McCormick & Company
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm – BREAK and “MEET the FILMMAKER” TALK – meet some of the talented juried finalists and ask questions about their films and their processes.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – PANEL DISCUSSION – moderated by Ryan Metzler, Assistant Professor & Acting Coordinator – CCBC Digital Media Production
- “Breaking In” – Entry Points to the Film & Video Industries – with Mari Bonnemaison of Bonnemaison, Inc.; Othello Banaci of Subminimal; and Analee Wong of RW Communications
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – STUDENT JURIED FILM SCREENINGS and Peoples’ Choice voting
SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
10:00 am – 12:00 noon – INTERNATIONAL JURIED FILM SCREENINGS – “Mother’s Day Matinee” and Peoples’ Choice voting
- Bring your mom to the movies on Mother’s Day to enjoy the best international films submitted to the festival!
12:00 noon – 1:30 pm – BREAK – Lunch on your own (see map of nearby lunch restaurants, coming soon!)
1:30 pm – 4:00 pm – EMERGING JURIED FILM SCREENINGS and Peoples’ Choice voting
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm – BREAK and “MEET the FILMMAKER” TALK – meet some of the talented juried finalists and ask questions about their films and their processes.
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm – AWARDS CEREMONY
- Presentation of prizes & laurel certificates to winners of the Short Film Juried Competition.
- Get your photo taken on the red carpet!
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.
Stay tuned for more updates!
ART CREDIT: Our amazing artwork, called “when clara became one with the universe,” is by surrealist Eric Brenner, who uses collage, digital painting and computer manipulation to create his memorable images. Visit his site for more info. Posters and T-shirts of this image will be available for sale at the festival!