May 13, 2015

Over five days, the 17th annual Maryland Film Festival screened approximately 50 feature films, 13 shorts programs, and hosted 100 filmmakers who discussed their work with fans. The festival screened movies throughout Station North and central Baltimore, hosting screenings at the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Museum of Art, multiple MICA locations, Single Carrot Theater and the Windup Space.

“We always devote our Opening Night to a collection of short films; this year’s closing night film was Crystal Moselle’s The Wolfpack,” said Eric Allen Hatch, director of programming for the event. “The festival this year also included a special event conversation between Taylor Branch, Ta-Nehisi Coates, David Simon, and James McBride, the co-writers of upcoming mini-series ‘America in the King Years.’

“This year we announced our campaign to restore the historic Parkway Theatre, opened for film in 1915; we will restore the original auditorium and add two additional screens in adjacent spaces, creating a year-round 3-screen film center, to open in 2017.”

Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Theo Anthony, director of short film “Chop My Money,” and Abdu Ali, Baltimore-based musician and guest-host/curator of “Do The Right Thing.” Both are based in Baltimore. Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Eric Allen Hatch, director of programming for the Maryland Film Festival, and Garrett Welmers, keyboardist in Baltimore-based band Future Islands. Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Claudia Muniz, writer and actress from “Venice.” Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Angel Kristi Williams, director of opening night short “Charlotte,” which was filmed in Baltimore. Williams is a Baltimore native. Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Mo Scarpelli, co-director of “Frame By Frame,” and Matt Grady, founder of film distribution company Factory 25. Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: John Waters, director and Maryland Film Festival Board Member. He has selected a repertory film to present each year, starting with the inaugural edition of 1999; this year’s pick was William Friedkin’s Killer Joe (2011). Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Eric Allen Hatch, director of programming for the Maryland Film Festival, and Alex Winter, director of “Deep Web.” Most famous for his role as Bill in the “Bill and Ted” movies, this is the second documentary that Winter has screened at the Maryland Film Fest. Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Hannah Gross and Matt Porterfield, director of the short film “Take What You Can Carry.” Gross was the female lead in “Christmas, Again,” as well as prominently appearing in the ensemble cast of feature “Stinking Heaven” and starring in the shorts “Take What You Can Carry” and “Haze.” Porterfield, a Baltimore-based writer and director, also presented the film “Limbo” at the Festival. Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Michael Arcos (director) and Marnie Ellen (producer) of “Dream Throat.” Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Hannah Gross and Kentucker Audley. Gross and Audley starred in “Christmas, Again.” Audley also starred in “Funny Bunny.” Gross also prominently appeared in the ensemble cast of the feature film “Stinking Heaven” and starred in the shorts “Take What You Can Carry” and “Haze. ” Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Scott Braid, programming administrator for the Maryland Film Festival, and Shahin Izadi, director of the short film “Sara & Dennis.” Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Jay Giampietro (director) and Stephen Gurewitz (lead actor) of the short film “Hernia.”Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Eugene Kotlyarenko (director) and Vishwam Valandy (actor) from “A Wonderful Cloud.” Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Jimmy Joe Roche, director of the short film “Leather,” and Clarissa Stowell Gregory, visual artist and filmmaker. Both live and work in Baltimore. Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Jed Dietz, director of the Maryland Film Festival, and Bobcat Goldthwait, director of “Call Me Lucky.” Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Alan Resnick, filmmaker and comedian, and Dina Kelberman, new media artist, before they presented “Showgirls.” at the Walters Art Museum. Both are based in Baltimore. Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

: Britni West, director of “Tired Moonlight.” Photos and text by Jen Mizgata, a Baltimore-based photographer, who can be reached at mizgata@gmail.com. See more of her work at jenmizphoto.com.

The faces of the Maryland Film Festival

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