Screens in the Capital: Annapolis Film Festival Announces 2026 Lineup Featuring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas
The Annapolis Film Festival returns March 26–29, 2026, with a lineup of more than 70 films, including curated programs and audience favorites from major international festivals.
The Annapolis Film Festival has unveiled the complete film lineup for its 2026 festival, taking place March 26–29, 2026. Featuring more than 70 films, the slate includes spotlight screenings, curated showcases, and audience favorites fresh from major international festivals and distributors.
The festival will open with POWER BALLAD, a 2026 musical comedy directed and co-written by John Carney. Opening Night will include an elegant pre-reception for select passholders, followed by a red-carpet event and culinary offerings by The Palate Pleasers.
The festival will close on Sunday with a celebratory final screening of RUN AMOK, a dark comedy written and directed by NB Mager that premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The closing event will also feature the Audience and Juried Awards celebration, culminating with the popular Best of Fest, where audiences can learn about the winners and watch encore screenings of their favorite films.
Programming highlights include THE EYES OF GHANA — The Black Experience; ELIJAH PEEL — The Faith Experience, featuring a special appearance by actor Kevin Sorbo (Hercules) and members of the cast; THIS IS NOT A DRILL — The Environmental Showcase; AMERICAN PACHUCO — The Latine Experience; EXPEDITION ANTARCTICA: A Journey with Gary Jobson — The Sailing Showcase; and The Jewish Experience, featuring the documentary TOVAH, followed by a special Q&A with Tovah Feldshuh (Nobody Wants This, Netflix).
The 2026 lineup reflects the Annapolis Film Festival’s commitment to presenting bold new voices, award-winning films, fresh narratives, and timely documentaries that inspire conversation and connection. The festival will showcase a diverse program of narrative and documentary features, along with an exceptional collection of short films from around the globe.
Over four days, historic downtown Annapolis will transform into a vibrant hub for filmmakers, cinephiles, and cultural tastemakers, bringing filmmakers, artists, and audiences together for cinema, conversation, and community.
Screenings and events will take place at venues throughout Annapolis, including Maryland Hall, St. John’s College, Asbury United Methodist Church, and locations across the Historic Arts District. Additional festival experiences will include industry panels, filmmaker Q&A sessions, Coffee Talks at Rams Head OnStage, student programs, and late-night parties.
“We are so thrilled to kick off this year’s festival with a feel-good, music-driven film like POWER BALLAD, which really fits our vibe,” say Festival Directors & Cofounders Patti White and Lee Anderson
.