Annapolis Film Festival returns this month for 14th year

Cue the klieg lights. The 14th annual Annapolis Film Festival will roll out the red carpet later this month for its the opening night film “Power Ballad,” starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. The four-day movie fest — recently named “one of the coolest film festivals in the world” by MovieMaker magazine — includes more than 70 documentaries and narrative films, some short and some long, from established and emerging filmmakers. Many are organized around nautical and environmental themes or highlight films that showcase diverse ethnic, religious or female-centered perspectives. The festival attracts an audience of around 10,000 movie buffs over four days, MovieMaker estimates. During that extended weekend, “historic downtown Annapolis turns into a walkable, waterfront celebration of storytelling,” festival organizers wrote in a news release. The festival, they said, “honors the moments when audiences lean forward in their seats, filmmakers share their truths, and conversations spill out of theaters and into the streets, cafes and waterfront spaces of Annapolis.” In addition to films, the festival features panel discussions, filmmaker Q&A’s, pre-film receptions and post-film parties. The last weekend in March is also the unofficial kick-off of the Baltimore area’s 2026 film fest season, which includes the Maryland Film Fest (April 8-12), the Columbia Maryland Film Festival (Sept. 7-13) and the New/Next Film Fest (Oct. 1-4). Highlights of the 2026 Annapolis Film Festival include: The opening-night film, “Power Ballad,” which is described as a “feel good” film about a wedding singer (Rudd) whose career is unexpectedly revived following a late-night jam session with former boy-band heartthrob Danny (Jonas.) “Power Ballad” is scheduled to open in theaters nationally June 5. “Caroline, Caroline,” a road movie about a small-town woman (Samara Weaving) who abandons her dutiful life for a career robbing banks after she falls in love with a handsome grifter (Kyle Gallner). It’s being produced by the hometown duo of Tim and Trevor White. “Poetic License” is a romantic comedy about two male college students who become rivals for the affection of an older woman who audits their poetry class. It’s also actress Maud Apatow’s directing debut. The festival concludes with the closing-night film “Run Amok,” an expanded version of the writer/producer NB Mager’s short film with the same title. A high school student comes into conflict with the adults in her community when she attempts to stage a musical inspired by a recent tragedy. Tickets to individual films go on sale Friday at annapolisfilmfestival.com. All-access premium passes are on sale now on the website for prices ranging from $125 to $350. Have a news tip? Contact Mary Carole McCauley at mmccauley@baltsun.com and 410-332-6704. Links found in article: - https://www.annapolisfilmfestival.com/ - https://www.moviemaker.com/coolest-film-festivals-2025/