The 19th Annual Maryland Film Festival takes place May 3-7 at the new Stavros Niarchos Foundation Parkway in Station North. Screenings will be held in three theaters at the Parkway, as well as at MICA’s Brown Center, the Gateway Building and Lazarus Studio Center.
The festival includes discussions at Red Emma’s, special events and dozens of screenings from shorts programs and documentaries to world premieres and Baltimore-made indies. We scoured the list to pick our top recommendations for you. Remember, this is just a sampling, go to mdfilmfest.com for the complete guide.
Also see our exclusive interview with Baltimore filmmaker Barry Levinson.
“Austerlitz” directed by Sergei Loznitsa
This 2016 German documentary looks at the ethical questions involved when former Holocaust sites become tourist destinations. The film asks if it’s a desecration of sacred spaces to have tourists casually visiting such hallowed grounds.
Screens May 4, 5 p.m. and May 7, 11:15 a.m. at MICA Brown Center
“Beach Rats” directed by Eliza Hittman
Hittman provides an unflinching portrait of a young man in Brooklyn trying to define himself sexually. This one was a hit at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Screens May 6 at 4:30 pm. And May 7 at 2:10 p.m. at the Parkway Theatre
“Golden Exits” directed by Alex Ross Perry
This one has a bonkers cast that includes Adam Horovitz (as in the Beastie Boys), Chloe Sevigny, Jason Schwartzman and Mary-Louise Parker. It’s another Brooklyn-set drama, but with a cast like this, it’s got serious cred.
Screens May 5 at 10:30 p.m. at Parkway Theatre and May 6 at 2 p.m. at MICA Brown Center
“Lemon” directed by Janicza Bravo
In this sardonic comedy, Isaac Lachmann (played by Brett Gelman, who also co-wrote) is a 40-year-old down on his luck and he’s not quite sure where things went wrong. The film also stars festival fave Michael Cera, Judy Greer, Nia Long and Rhea Perlman.
Screens May 4 at 10 p.m. at MICA Brown Center and May 6 at 7:10 p.m. at MICA Gateway
“Person to Person” directed by Dustin Guy Defa
This ensemble drama about a day in the life of a group of New Yorkers stars Jmore crush Abbi Jacobson (from “Broad City,” who also attended Maryland Institute), Michael Cera (again!) and Philip Baker Hall.
Screens May 4 at 7:20 p.m. and May 5 at 7:20 p.m. at MICA
“Rat Film” directed by Theo Anthony
We had to throw this one in as a bonus pick because this is Baltimore and we all know we have a rat problem. The documentary uses Baltimore’s rat infestation problem as a way to look at the city’s history of segregation. The movie includes a score by Baltimore musician Dan Deacon who will be presenting at the screening with the director. See it if you can stomach it.
Screens May 4 at 7:25 p.m., May 5 at noon and May 6 at 10 p.m., all at Parkway Theater
Top photo: “Austerlitz” (Handout courtesy Maryland Film Festival)
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