Filmfest DC Coming To Bethesda For What’s Likely Its Final Year

For the first (and probably the last) time, a 10-day international film festival will make its way out of D.C. and into Bethesda.

Filmfest DC, the 28-year-old event featuring international films from all genres, will host 12 showings at Landmark Theatres Bethesda Row (7235 Woodmont Ave.). The film festival is set for April 17-27. Films will be shown at Bethesda Row from Monday, April 21 to Thursday, April 24.

“We thought it’d be interesting to extend out a bit, make it easier on the people we have who do come from Montgomery County,” said festival director Tony Gittens.

Screen capture of Gittens said surveying shows a number of people from Bethesda regularly attended the event, which includes about 70 foreign films and half a dozen U.S. premieres.

“There’s a very strong film community here. Our festival draws upon that but also it’s a very diverse community,” Gittens said. “It’s a city where there’s tolerance. People are used to being around different kinds of people, so it makes it special.”

This will likely be the final year of the festival, unless Gittens and company can raise about $250,000 to make next year’s event possible.

“I personally don’t know anyone who has that kind of money,” Gitten said. “It would be great, but I try to live in the real world, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Films are $12 each and can be purchased on the event website. Films at Bethesda Row include “The German Doctor,” “When Jews Were Funny” and “Le Chef.” The film schedule is here.

Video, photo via Filmfest DC

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