Festival dossier
Fort Washington, United States · Est. 2011 · Established legitimate festival with meaningful track record
Solid signals — do normal diligence
Tier B looks established enough for many filmmakers. Check fees, programming fit, and recent editions before submitting.
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
Founded
2011
Avg. rating
2.6/ 5
Reviews
8
Synced 4 days ago
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.
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.
Terrific festival. Will definitely submit again in the future.
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?
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?
FilmFreeway reviews are filmmaker opinions, not our score. Cross-check red flags before paying fees.
Live web research is off to control API cost. This shows cached scheduled research when available, plus analysis from our database.
Hard research (cheap model + thorough prompt) runs on a cron for suspicious festivals; a biweekly job refreshes others. No live API calls from the site.
Scores are calculated from structural indicators: accreditations, physical screenings, award category count, submission frequency, and acceptance rate. Higher scores reflect more verifiable legitimacy signals.
No community reviews yet. If you submitted here, your experience helps others avoid award mills.
Write a reviewOr report a problem →Get notified when DMViFF's tier changes or new reports are filed.
Filmmakers and festival teams can propose listing corrections or submit verified evidence. Verified evidence can change a tier, but it is weighed alongside every other flag on this listing.
Request a correction