Announcing Annapolis Film Festival Schedule

ANNAPOLIS FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2026 MAIN SLATE

The complete film lineup for the Annapolis Film Festival 2026, taking place March 26–29, 2026, has been announced. The highly anticipated event will showcase an exciting and diverse program of narrative and documentary features, along with an exceptional collection of short films from around the globe, bringing together filmmakers, artists, and audiences.

Screenings and events will be held at venues throughout Annapolis, including Maryland Hall, St. John’s College, Asbury United Methodist Church, and across the Historic Arts District, with additional festival experiences such as industry panels, filmmaker Q&As, Coffee Talks at RamsHead OnStage, student programs, and late-night parties. The Brian & Patricia Giese Foundation serves as Festival Presenter.

Opening Night of the Annapolis Film Festival

Opening Night will feature an elegant pre-reception for select passholders before the red carpet, featuring culinary delights by The Palate Pleasers. This will precede the highly anticipated new film, POWER BALLAD.

When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves – even if it means risking everything he cares about. From writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once),
POWER BALLAD is a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition.

“We are so thrilled to kick off this year’s festival with a feel-good, music-driven film like POWER BALLAD, which really fits our vibe,” say Festival Directors & Cofounders Patti White and Lee Anderson.

The film is followed by an exclusive after-party at the top of the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for pass and ticket holders, featuring a live band to dance the night away.

The 2026 slate reflects the Annapolis Film Festival’s commitment to presenting bold new voices, award-winning films, fresh narratives, and timely documentaries that inspire conversation and connection. With 70+ films, the slate includes spotlight screenings, curated showcases, and audience favorites fresh from major international festivals and distributors.

Programming Highlights

The Black Experience: THE EYES OF GHANA
The Faith Experience: ELIJAH PEEL— with special guest actor Kevin Sorbo (HERCULES) and other cast
The Environmental Showcase: THIS IS NOT A DRILL
The Latine Experience: AMERICAN PACHUCO
The Sailing Showcase: EXPEDITION ANTARCTICA: A Journey with Gary Jobson
The Jewish Experience: the documentary TOVAH, includes a special Q&A with Tovah Feldshuh (NOBODY WANTS THIS, Netflix.)

The festival will close on Sunday with a festive final screening, RUN AMOK, and the audience- and juried-awards celebration, Best of Fest, which brings the community together to hear the winners and see their audience favorites replayed.

Passes on sale now.

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 6th, at www.annapolisfilmfestival.com

Opening Night tickets are $50 and include the after-party. Festival passes are $200/AFS members ($175), Premium passes are $350/AFS members ($300), and individual tickets and Coffee Talks are $20. Festival passes provide the most immersive experience, offering priority access to screenings and entry to signature events, while individual tickets will also be available.

Annapolis Film Festival 2026 Feature Films:

A Mosquito in the Ear dir. Nicola Rinciari (USA)
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez dir. David Alvarado (USA)
Anxiety Club dir. Wendy Lobel (USA)
Beginnings dir. Jeanette Nordahl (Denmark)
Bookends dir. Mike Doyle (USA)
Carolina Caroline dir. Adam Carter Rehmeier (USA)
Chili Finger dir. Edd Benda, Stephen Helstad (USA)
Cookie Queens dir. Alysa Nahmias (USA)
Deepfaking Sam Altman dir. Adam Bhala Lough (USA)
Elijah Peel dir. Nathan Ross Murphy (USA)
Everywhere Man: The Lives and Times of Peter Asher dir. Daniel Geller, Dayna
Goldfine (USA/UK)
Expedition Antarctica: A Journey with Gary Jobson dir. Jamie Reynolds (USA)
Hold Onto Me dir. Myrsini Aristidou (Cyprus, Greece)
Last Call in the North dir. Stan Bush (USA)
Late Fame dir. Kent Jones (USA)
Late Shift dir. Petra Biondina Volpe (Switzerland/Germany)
Loving Karma dir. Johnny Burke, Andrew Hinton (India)
Mr. Burton dir. Marc Evans (UK)
Pinch dir. Uttera Singh (India)
Poetic License dir. Maude Apatow (USA)
Power Ballad dir. John Carney (Ireland/USA)
Run Amok dir. NB Mager (USA)
Seized dir. Sharon Liese (USA)
She Runs the World dir. Matthew O’Neill, Perri Peltz (USA)
Sum Function dir. Noah Currier (USA)
The Big Cheese dir. Sara Joe Wolansky (USA)
The Eyes of Ghana dir. Ben Proudfoot (Ghana/UK/USA)
The Fisherman dir. Zoey Martinson (Ghana)
The Last Twins dir. Matthew O’Neil, Perri Peltz (USA)
The Party’s Over (Classe Moyenne/Middle Class) dir. Antony Cordier (France)
The Price to Pay (La Geurre des Prix/Price War) dir. Anthony Déchaux (France)
This is Not a Drill dir. Oren Jacoby (USA)
Tovah dir. David Serero (USA)