An Art League of Ocean City Production

Join us for our 10th Season!
March 5th-8th, 2026
BUY PASSES NOW
Explore the Full Film Lineup
Download the Art League of OC App!
CLick Here to download
Join us for our 10th Season!
March 5th-8th, 2026
BUY PASSES NOW
Explore the Full Film Lineup
Download the Art League of OC App!
CLick Here to download
Artboard-27

Gallery

Passes

Schedule

The Film Festival was founded in 2017, and is a production of the nonprofit Art League of Ocean City, whose youth and outreach programs benefit from the festival. This annual event attracts international, national, and regional artists working in film. In 2025, the festival screened 100 independent films, both short and feature length, and offered socializing with the filmmakers. The four day festival creates community engagement for film lovers and networking opportunities for filmmakers of all levels, and it’s the best excuse to visit the beach in March with special discounted rates on oceanfront rooms!

How to Fest

Welcome to the Ocean City Maryland Film Festival! Whether you’re a filmmaker, film lover, or first-time attendee, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your festival experience.

Plan Your Schedule

We can’t wait to welcome you to the OCMD Film Festival — where independent film meets the shore.

Lights. Camera. Ocean.

Pass Pick-Up

All Passes must be picked up at our Festival Headquarters:
The Art League of Ocean City
502 94th Street
Ocean City, MD 21842
Pass Pickup:
Monday-Sunday
March 2-8 9am-4pm

Please bring:
A photo ID
Your confirmation email (printed or on your phone)
We encourage you to pick up your pass early to avoid lines and start enjoying the festival right away.

Festival Lounges

Festival Lounges are a place to connect, recharge, and collaborate.
Headquarters Lounge
Art League of Ocean City 94th St
Sponsored by the Town of Ocean City
Styled by Donaway Furniture
Hours: Thursday 9-4, Friday 9-4
Saturday 9-4, Sunday 9-12
Downtown Lounge
Cambria Hotel Lobby
13 St Louis Ave
Hours:
Thursday-10:30-5, Friday 11-7, Sat 11-6
Open to all filmmakers and pass holders.
Lounge Amenities include:
Coffee & refreshments
WiFi & charging station
Networking space
Informal meet-ups and media interviews
This is where conversations turn into collaborations.

Parties & Special Events

The OCMD Film Festival is as much about community as it is about cinema.
Parties and special events are open to all filmmakers and 4 day pass holders and day pass holders.
Thursday March 5 7-8:30PM
Opening Night Showcase Cambria Hotel These films set the stage for the weekend Come fest with us!
Friday March 6, 5-7PM
Art League First Friday Opening Night Reception

Celebrate the 10th season of the festival with the opening of the Art League of Ocean City March exhibits! Free hors d’oeuvres and complimentary refreshments. See all 100 of the 2026 film festival posters in the Staircase Gallery, and experience the community weaving project featured in the festival documentary.

Saturday March 6, 5-7PM
Cocktail Party: Happy Hour at the Princess Royale 91 St
Free appetizers and cash bar.
Nightly After-Parties
Keep the energy going after the last screening! Join us at select partner venues for casual gatherings with filmmakers and attendees. After Parties include food and drinks with special pricing.
Thursday, March 5
Cambria Hotel 13th & St Louis Ave (lobby bar): 9-11PM
Friday, March 6
Spain Wine Bar (rooftop) 13th & St Louis Ave: 9-11PM
Saturday, March 7
Fager’s Island 60th Street: 9:30-11PM (Show lanyard or wristband for entry)
CLosing awards celebration
Sunday March 8 Seacrets 49th St – 2-5PM
Help us honor outstanding films and creators at our awards ceremony and wrap party. Free Buffet and cash bar

Industry Panel

Learn from industry professionals during our curated panel. This is a not to be missed opportunity!
Saturday March 7 9:30-10:30
Cambria Hotel 13 St. Louis Ave.
Moderated By Jack Gerbes
Former Director of the Maryland Film Office
Panelists:
Eric Walter – Director, Producer, Award winning Editor
Dr Rebecca Louisa-Smith – The Film Festival Doctor
Daniel Bowen – Composer, Arranger, Arts Advocate
John Gray – Writer, Director, Producer
Panels are free with a festival pass (space permitting). Arrive early—seating is limited and conversations are lively. Filmmakers should plan to attend, as this is a valuable opportunity to hear from industry veterans and ask questions. The public is also welcome to attend for a behind-the-scenes look at the topics and trends currently shaping the film industry.

Audience Choice Award

Choose your favorite film or films from the 10th Annual Ocean City Film Festival and help decide this year’s Audience Choice Award winner!
The one film with the most votes will take home the Audience Choice Award. You may select up to five films, so be sure to support the stories that moved you, made you laugh, or kept you on the edge of your seat.
The winner will be announced at the Awards Ceremony at Seacrets on Sunday, March 8th.
Cast Your Vote Here

Filmmaker Testimonials

Fantastic festival. The whole community gets involved in rare fashion. Packed venues with people sitting/standing in the aisles. OCFF goes out of their way to make filmmakers feel special. Highly recommend.
Christopher S.
A fantastic festival!! Can't wait to submit more work to them in the future!
Zach K.
From top to bottom, this was a great festival and a wonderful experience. This festival has fantastic community support, great venues, and outstanding audience participation—excellent communication before and throughout the event. Lots of filmmakers in attendance, and opportunities to network.
Eric D.
Well organized high quality festival. Easy to interface with. Even their post-festival follow-up was excellent. I recommend your festival to all filmmakers. Ocean City is a great venue!
Paul B.
Awesome festival! Had a great time meeting tons of amazing filmmakers, great screening venues & after parties. Enjoyed the Q&A sessions as well
JB A.
The Ocean City Film Festival was a great experience. B.L. and the whole team can be proud of how they have grown this festival and of all the fantastic, eclectic films they showcase
David S.
What a wonderful event we had the opportunity to attend in Ocean City, MD. The festival director and personnel, in addition to their sponsors, hosted an extraordinary event at the lovely beachfront town of Ocean City, Maryland. Organized, detail oriented and beautifully scheduled, this was a gem in our festival journey. Thank you!
Melissa Jo P.
Amazing Fest! Will definitely be submitting again and can only hope they’ll have us back! Excellent all around, films, communication, venues etc… Do yourself a favor and submit to this - you won’t be sorry!
Loring M.
The Art League of Ocean City did an excellent job putting together a fun event for filmmakers to come to, while also being able to enjoy the nice beach setting.
Teresa P.
This is an amazingly organised festival, whose team make you feel extremely welcome with such professional communication. So a big congratulations to B.L. Strang-Moya and the "tastemakers" of OCFF. We'll be back!!
Mike C.

Attendant Testimonials

I’ve been in attendance every year since the beginning, and it keeps getting better and better. The films and the talent behind them have been superb, the opportunities to network and gain insight are plentiful, and the John Waters performance—YOWZA—that was another high-water mark of the festival.
Eugene O.
Wide selection of films, great chatting with the filmmakers, interesting discussions
Mary Ann W.
The films were great and the venues were easy to get to and comfortable
Gabrielle D.
Enjoyed the John Waters performance tremendously—high energy, great set; he was on fire.
Eugene O.
I really enjoyed the Q&A sessions after each screening and the John Waters event was excellent.
J. Meehan
I found the selection of films and events to be excellent. The venues were comfortable and safe. The discussions were well managed and informative.
P. Higgin
Enjoyed the films. Good diversity.
Jamie R.
We loved every film we saw, every filmmaker we met and heard from, and of course all the OCFF volunteers!
Kwong H.