The LightReel Film Festival (LFF) is the area’s preeminent celebration of cinema. Our four-day festival presents over 70 films from around the world, representing 15+ countries, selected from over 100 submissions. Each year, 90 to 95% of LFF’s program is composed of submitted films. LFF actively strives to provide a diverse programming slate with spotlights on filmmakers of color, LGBTQ+ films, women and gender non-conforming filmmakers, and filmmakers from the District of Columbia. For the 2024 festival, 48% of the program selected from submissions was directed by women and gender nonconforming directors and 41% by BIPOC directors.

Each year, cinephiles, filmmakers, and industry professionals gather for diverse competitive screenings, special presentations, workshops, panels, and thought-provoking discussions, making LightReel a premier destination for storytelling and creative exchange.