Columbia Maryland Film Festival Returns for Its 8th Season — Sept. 7–13, 2026
The Columbia Maryland Film Festival (CMFF) https://columbiamarylandfilmfestival.com/ is back for its 8th season, September 7–13, bringing more than 55 independent films to Howard County — the festival's largest lineup yet.
This year's program spans shorts, features, documentaries, animation, and student work from Maryland filmmakers and creators around the world, with live in-person events at The Collective ENCORE, the Maryland Innovation Center, and the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College, plus virtual streaming all week long.
"This is shaping up to be our biggest year yet," said Robert Neal Marshall, Executive Producer of CMFF, "We're not just presenting films, we're building a creative community here in Howard County."
 Full schedule and tickets: https://columbiamarylandfilmfestival.com/ All Festival Pass: $75 — includes every live and virtual screening, plus entrance to the Opening and Closing Night celebrations Individual short film: $12–15 Individual feature length films or sets: $20 Opening Night & Closing Night (special events): $30/person
https://columbiamarylandfilmfestival.com/
IN-PERSON EVENTS SCHEDULE
Monday, Sept. 7 · 6:00 PM · The Collective ENCORE  Opening Night — Best of the 48 Hour Film Project, with Mark Ruppert A celebration of the creative process kicks off the festival with the Best of the 48 Hour Film Project, including work from local Maryland filmmakers, plus a live audience Q&A with 48 Hour Film Project founding director Mark Ruppert. (Food & beverage available for purchase directly through The Collective Encore, separate from your festival ticket.)
Tuesday, Sept. 8 · 2:00 PM · Maryland Innovation Center - Feature & Short: Director's Commentary & The Art of Being Different
Tuesday, Sept. 8 · 4:00 PM · Maryland Innovation Center - Short Films Cinema Package I
Tuesday, Sept. 8 · 6:00 PM · Maryland Innovation Center - Regional Maryland Vision Short Films
Wednesday, Sept. 9 · 2:00 PM · Maryland Innovation Center - Feature & Short: Heartbeat Behind the Badge & Be the Explorer
Wednesday, Sept. 9 · 3:45 PM · Maryland Innovation Center - Short Films Cinema Package II
Wednesday, Sept. 9 · 5:15 PM · Maryland Innovation Center - Frederick Theme Double Feature: Spinsters & BOOMTOWN
Thursday, Sept. 10 · 2:00 PM · Maryland Innovation Center- Feature & Short: The Witchdoctor and the Windmill & State Champions
Thursday, Sept. 10 · 4:00 PM · Maryland Innovation Center - Short Films Cinema Package III
Thursday, Sept. 10 · 6:00 PM · Maryland Innovation Center - Australian Feature: The Song of Colour
Friday, Sept. 11 · 6:00 PM · Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center — Monteabaro Hall  Creativity Double Feature & Audience Q&A: Colors & Curves and Masterpiece
A special evening featuring director Walter Johnson Jr.'s Colors & Curves, followed by a live audience conversation exploring creativity as a human trait — and how artists, business leaders, architects, physicians, and other professionals alike rely on it in their work. Panel includes local creative and civic voices from Howard County.
Saturday, Sept. 12 · 2:00 PM · Maryland Innovation Center - Feature & 2 Animated Shorts: Not In Service & A Game of Chance / Something Greater Than You
Saturday, Sept. 12 · 4:00 PM · Maryland Innovation Center - Short Films Cinema Package IV
Sunday, Sept. 13 · 5:30 PM · Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center — Monteabaro Hall  Maryland Shorts & 2026 Festival Closing Night Celebration
A reception celebrating Maryland filmmakers with a curated program of regional short films and audience Q&A. Light Refreshments included.
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