WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 22, 2026

Independent filmmakers from across the region will take center stage later this month as the Anacostia Shorts and Open Road Film Festival returns to Southeast Washington with a new lineup of selected films celebrating storytelling, creativity, and community voices.

Organizers recently announced the official selections for the 2026 festival after judges completed the review process for this year’s submissions. The festival will feature a mix of short films, experimental works, and visual storytelling projects from emerging and independent creators.

Among the selected films are:

  • Chocolate: A Motion Poetry Homage To Black D.C. by Eliamani Ismail
  • Man Slapping by Mike Stinnett
  • The Audition No. 7 In C Major by Moth Parsons
  • Space by Ryan Hampton
  • Marianne’s Onion by Sarah Olmsted Thomas, Alex Vernon, and Alex & Olmsted
  • Adas Falasteen by Hamdi Khalil Elhusseini and Samar Taher Lulu
  • Guess Where You’re Going by Khwaja Hamzah Saif
  • White Wedding by Melody C. Roscher

The screenings will take place at Honfleur Gallery on May 30 and May 31, with doors opening at 6 p.m. each evening. A virtual livestream presentation is also scheduled for June 1 on YouTube, expanding access for audiences unable to attend in person.

Festival attendees will have the opportunity to participate in question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers and producers following the screenings, creating space for dialogue around the creative process and the stories behind the films.

The event will also award cash prizes to standout projects, including:

  • First Place: $1,000
  • Second Place: $500
  • Third Place: $250

Located in the heart of Historic Anacostia, the festival continues to highlight the neighborhood’s growing role in Washington’s independent arts scene. By providing a platform for filmmakers whose work explores culture, identity, experimentation, and local storytelling, the festival contributes to the broader creative ecosystem developing east of the Anacostia River.

Organizers encourage residents, students, artists, and film enthusiasts to attend the screenings and support independent cinema in the District.

Tickets are currently available for both in-person and virtual attendance, with discounted pricing available for Anacostia residents and students.

Additional information and ticket reservations are available through the festival’s official page: An Open Road Film Festival Tickets & Information