Film & Cinema

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the world of cinema in Washington, DC. From iconic theaters with a rich heritage to modern film organizations shaping the industry’s future, this page is your gateway to discovering the cinematic treasures of Washington, DC. Whether you’re an avid cinephile, an aspiring filmmaker, or simply seeking entertainment, use our page to find festivals, and jump in to the community engagement that celebrates the magic of the silver screen.

Use the navigation menu below to jump to the section you’re looking for:

  1. Film & Cinema
    1. Events Calendar
    2. Interactive Map
    3. Featured Venues
    4. Notable Film Organizations
    5. Feedback

Events Calendar

To see the latest film related events happening in DC, click the button below to take you to WGIT’s event calendar.

Film Events In DC

Have an event you’d like to be added to our calendar for future viewers? Hit the “Submit Event” button below.

Submit an Event

Interactive Map

  • E Street Cinema (Penn Quarter):
    • “The E Street Cinema is an eight-screen luxury movie theatre specializing in first-run independent and foreign language films, documentary features and classic revivals. In addition to high quality programming, the theatre is committed to state-of-the art film presentation. It features large screens with excellent, clear sightlines, stadium seating in the larger houses, Dolby Digital sound, amenities including upscale concessions and an espresso bar, and 3 hours of reduced rate parking within the building’s garage (with validation), Monday through Friday after 5:00pm and anytime on weekends.”
    • – Not only do they screen recent releases, E Street frequently previews special screenings, throwbacks, and film series.
    • – View their showtimes here
    • *E street offers 50% off movie tickets ($7 dollar tickets) every Tuesday. Probably the best movie deal you’ll find in town.
  • Avalon Theatre (Chevy Chase, DC)
    • “The oldest operating movie house in the Washington, DC region, the Avalon Theater has been a cornerstone of its community since its opening in 1923. After the theater was abruptly closed in 2001, a grassroots effort by the newly formed Avalon Theater Project successfully restored the historic theatre and it reopened in 2003.
    • – The Avalon Theatre puts on a variety of films, special programs, and even educational classes on film studies as well as a free program, Cinema Classroom, for 6th-12th grade classes engages students in critical issues through screenings and expert-guided discussions.
  • Miracle Theatre (Capitol Hill)
    • “The Miracle Theatre is a second-run movie theater and live performance venue, and the oldest movie theater in Washington, DC.
    • The theatre is located on Capitol Hill in the historic Barracks Row neighborhood. The original building, the Meader Theater, opened on December 27, 1909 as a vaudeville theatre with a mix of entertainment, including motion pictures and live performances. The building continued to operate as a movie theatre under several names until 1960: Meader, New Meader, Family and Academy. During the theatre’s many transitions and renovations it showed a variety of films including silent, triple-feature westerns and in the late 1950s, foreign films.
    • In 1962, The People’s Church purchased the building and served the Capitol Hill community for half a century. On March 23, 2011, National Community Church purchased it and embarked on a mission to revive the building’s rich history as a movie house and live entertainment destination.”
    • This historic building hosts film screenings, live events, concerts, and special offers such as a film club and “Dinner and Movie” discounts partnering with nearby eateries.
  • AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center (Silver Spring, MD)
    • “Created by the citizens of Montgomery County, Maryland, the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is dedicated to artists, educators and audiences of the world.
    • The AFI Silver presents the richness of American and world cinema, exploring all forms of the moving image in the digital era and seeing the screen itself as a source of literacy, learning and vision for the future.
    • AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media.”
    • This multi-functional cultural center previews current films, host a variety of festivals, offers its own cinema club, hosts cinema series.
  • Angelika Pop-Up (Union Market)
    • “Since its opening in 1989, the Angelika Film Center in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood has become a cultural institution – one of the most well-known and highest-grossing dedicated arthouses in the US. From the SoHo original to state-of-the-art boutique cinemas in Fairfax, VA and North Texas, the Angelika is the definitive American arthouse. The Angelika Pop-Up brings Angelika to the heart of DC with an exclusive microcinema experience. The Angelika Pop-Up is the DC hub for our signature mix of specialty film programming and unique events.
    • About the Union Market Location: A year round indoor market featuring 40 local artisans, the historic Union Market has been revitalized to become the culinary epicenter of the Capitol City. Surrounding the market is a planned vibrant mix of retail, restaurants, entertainment, new food concepts, and more.”
    • Angelika offers a unique ‘microcinema experience’ with a smaller venue with a newsletter, cinema showtimes, and special viewings, deals, and series.
  • Landmark’s Atlantic Plumbing (Pleasant Plains), AMC Georgetown 14 (Georgetown), Regal Gallery Place (Penn Quarter) & Alamo Drafthouse (Edgewood):
    • Your conventional larger movie theaters where you can catch the latest premiers. More comfortable high end theaters offering food and drinks along with plush seating.
    • – Alamo does put on special screenings as well as occasionally presenting free movies for kids camp

Notable Film Organizations

Below you’ll find organizations playing their role in the local film community. Feel free to dig into all the information about their missions, events, and how you can get involved.

  • DC Film Society: “The Washington, DC Film Society, founded in 1991, is a group of enthusiastic film lovers who enjoy quality mainstream, international, and independent films. Our members live in the D.C. Metropolitan area and come from a variety of backgrounds, ages and ethnicity’s. Our Coordinating Committee, similarly, is comprised of individuals drawn from varying backgrounds. Our common interest is the love of film.
    The Washington, DC Film Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to an appreciation of quality mainstream, international and independent films. Members enjoy free sneak preview screenings and discounted admission to several fundraising events, including an annual “AND THE WINNER IS…” party. All proceeds from membership and revenues from fundraising activities support the work of the Film Society and its parent organization, FilmFest DC, the Washington, DC International Film Festival.”

    The DC Film Society hosts The Cinema Lounge, “a monthly film discussion group, takes place at 8:00 PM at Teaism in Penn Quarter, 400 8th St., NW in Washington, DC (closest Metro stop is Archives, also near Metro Center and Gallery Place). NOTE: We will meet in the downstairs area. You do not need to be a member of the Washington DC Film Society to attend.

    Their site lists screenings and events, local and non-local film festivals and series, studios and distributors, references and reviews, non commercial theaters, local theaters and showtimes.
  • Women in Film & Video of Washington, DC
    “Women in Film & Video (WIFV) provides educational and networking opportunities for screen-based media makers, celebrates women’s creative and technical achievements in media, and advocates for parity both in front of and behind the camera to ensure that all voices can be heard.
    A 501(c)(3) non-profit community benefit organization founded in 1979, WIFV is the premier professional resource for people who want successful media careers in the DC-metro region. All genres, genders, and experience levels are welcome. Our resources, connections and advocacy support a vibrant, creative media community.”

    WIFV offers special programming such as professional development, fellowships, networking, community outreach, mentorship programs, film club memberships, happy hours, a newsletter and a podcast.

    Busboys & Poets: Focus-In! Film Series: Cinema for a Conscious Community
    “Focus-In! Film Series: Cinema for a Conscious Community is a Busboys and Poets-produced monthly film series that screens films with a focus dedicated to social justice, peace, art, music, and/or community value. Sign-up for the Focus-In! Film Series e-mail list“
  • DC Film Alliance & DC Shorts
    “DC Film Alliance is a Washington DC-based 501c3 nonprofit. Founded in 2003, DC Film Alliance produces each September the annual DC Shorts International Film Festival which has grown to become one of the largest short film events in the US, screening one of the largest collections in the United States. DC Shorts has been named by MovieMaker Magazine as “one of 20 festivals worth an entry fee,” and “one of the leading film festivals” in the country.
    Through DC Shorts, the DC Film Alliance also produces a collection of shorts programs throughout the year like DC Shorts Wins, and has continued partnering with other organizations such as the Bertelsmann Foundation and Goethe-Institut Washington for educational screenings.”
  • Filmfest DC (Washington’s International Film Festival)
    “Filmfest DC’s program of new films from around the globe will delight, enlighten, and entertain you. Premieres, comedies, thrillers, dramas, social justice documentaries, and new films by Washington filmmakers will transport you. We thank the expert team who mounted this year’s FIlmfest DC. We hope you are reminded why film matters.”

    This org has ample opportunities for volunteering, divvy out their own awards during this annual festival typically held in April.
  • Washington DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF)
    “Since 1999, DCIFF has been nurturing filmmakers and their films, and keeping the independent spirit alive in our nation’s capitol. We have showcased cutting edge features, shorts and documentaries on every subject from every country with every budget and subject imaginable.

    As a competitive festival, all films are Washington DC premieres and many are U.S. and world premieres. Through screenings, seminars, workshops and discussions with the United States Congress, DCIFF gives independent filmmakers opportunities for their voices to be heard in a way that no other festival can provide.”

    This organization also has opportunities for volunteering, filmchat events, high school filmmaking programs, its own blog and podcast, and of course passes and tickets to its annual festival.
  • DC’s Entertainment Page also has laid out resources and organizations already working in the film space
  • RE4CH: “A Film, Photo And Streaming Media Production Collective That Makes Art Focused Commercial, Documentary, Motion Graphic, And Experimental Media Content For Brands.”

Disclaimer: Information provided is subject to change. WGIT DC recommends that readers verify details before visiting any establishment.

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