Festival dossier

DMViFF

Fort Washington, United States · Est. 2011 · Established legitimate festival with meaningful track record

Tier BTrusted
Fort Washington, United States
65
Legitimacy Score

Should I submit?

Solid signals — do normal diligence

Tier B looks established enough for many filmmakers. Check fees, programming fit, and recent editions before submitting.

  • No physical screenings
  • 15 years of verifiable history
  • 3 verified pro signals

Overview

Founded in 2009 by a visionary Black female filmmaker, the DMV International Film Festival (DMViFF) has become a beacon for cinematic talent in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area, and beyond. Originally created as a space for filmmakers to network and showcase their projects, DMViFF has grown into an influential festival with a mission to sustainably develop, unite, and discover cinematic talents. DMViFF offers unparalleled opportunities for filmmakers by providing resources and exposure to emerging technologies, media, and community initiatives. The festival fosters inclusiveness, welcoming residents and filmmakers alike to participate in its vibrant and enriching environment. Submit your project to DMViFF and join a community dedicated to advancing the art of cinema, gaining access to potential opportunities in technology, media, and more. Embrace the chance to connect with fellow creatives and industry professionals at one of the most dynamic film festivals around. Visit http://www.DMViFF.org for submission details and to learn more about this exciting festival.

Last updated Oct 1, 2026

Legitimacy Analysis

Positive Indicators (+30 pts)

  • 15 years of verifiable history
  • 3 verified pro signals
  • Verified trusted status
  • Legitimacy signals outweigh concerns (3 vs 1)

Red Flags (-15 pts)

  • No physical screenings

Trust Signals

Positive Signals

  • FilmFreeway Gold festival
  • Documented history with archived programs
  • Has FilmFreeway community ratings

Festival Details

Founded

2011

Visit Festival Website

FilmFreeway communityGold festival

Avg. rating

2.6/ 5

Reviews

8

Synced 4 days ago

  • Filmmaker

    I visited DMViFF for the first time in 2023. They had an excellent array of films and I decided that I would submit to them the following year. I submitted and luckily my film was chosen. The following year (2024) they have significantly increased the venue size from last year. I really loved the seating and aisle space of the theater. DMViFF again had an excellent array of films and what I liked the most is the passion of festival director. She was very passionate about all the films in selected and very motivational and helpful. All of her staff was very pleasant, helpful and encouraging. It definitely felt good seeing our poster poster in the theater. I hope to be a part of this festival next year.

  • Filmmaker

    Small but mighty is what I would call this festival! I informed the Festival Director a couple of days past the date specified but still she worked with me and made sure that our film was screened which I'm really grateful for as I had family and friends in attendance. This was my first true experience at attending a film festival and I can say that I am happy that this was my first experience. The team greeted us with loving hugs and welcoming smiles. I'm proud of the DMViFF Team and I wish longevity over them as they continue to provide this festival for all storytellers across the world. I'm proud to be DMViFF alum and look forward to submitting my future projects.

  • Filmmaker

    Terrific festival. Will definitely submit again in the future.

  • Filmmaker

    This festival is a scam, BE WARY. I submitted my work and got multiple emails about DMViFF planning a festival for this, but was mainly ignored whenever I emailed asking questions. The week of the festival, I received word that the festival would be "postponed", it's been months and there's been no further communication about when the new dates will be. Biggest waste of money I've spent..is this festival even real?

  • Filmmaker

    If there isn’t gonna be a festival for 2025 I think we all deserve a refund, I understand dude got deported but there are others that helped run the festival right?

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At a glance

Legitimacy Score65/100
TierTier B
Reviews0
Community Reports0
FilmFreeway2.6★ · 8

How scoring works

Scores are calculated from structural indicators: accreditations, physical screenings, award category count, submission frequency, and acceptance rate. Higher scores reflect more verifiable legitimacy signals.

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