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          Now in its 8th year, the Maryland Film Festival (MFF) is an annual 4-Day independent film festival in Baltimore, Maryland’s cultural/arts district. The Maryland Film Festival is proud to host 125+ unique screenings during the Festival weekend including premieres, classic silent films with live accompaniment, famous 3D film revivals and in-depth screening conversations with top filmmakers. Since 1999, the MFF has presented films representing the total spectrum including films with African-American, Asian American, Hispanic and gay themes, and represented the works of over 25 countries.

Special facets of the Maryland Film Festival include:
          • The Guest Host Program:  A popular annual series exclusive to the Maryland Film Festival. This program gives leaders in fields other than filmmaking the chance to host a movie that has meant a great deal to them followed by Q&A with audiences.
          • 3-D Films and Silent Films with live music accompaniment:
2006 Silent Film: The Eagle (starring Rudolph Valentino) accompanied by Alloy Orchestra
          • John Waters Hosts:  Writer/Director John Waters invites his audience to favorite films followed by Q&A.
2006 John Waters pick: Head-On

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           The major difference is that all Maryland Film Festival screenings are presented by hosts who participate in a question and answer session with the audience. Most times it is the director of the film - often accompanied by members of the cast and crew. Screenings at The Maryland Film Festival allow the audience to interact with the people that made the films. These films for the most part are Baltimore Premieres (and some times United States or World Premieres), so they allow the festival audience to be among the first people to see the film. Some of the films will go on to have a theatrical release, but others may not, so the festival may be your only chance to see them on the big screen. The other category of screenings is the Guest Host Program where an individual who has made a name for themselves in a field other than filmmaking pick their favorite film to host. This is your chance to see film classics on the big screen and discuss them with someone who cares deeply about them. The Maryland Film Festival also presents special screenings such as 3D films and silent films with live musical accompaniment.

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          The 8th annual Maryland Film Festival will be held May 11-14, 2006.

Thursday, May 11 (one screening only)
7:30pm
Opening Night Screening and Party
Featuring the 4th celebration of Short Films

at the historic Senator Theatre

Friday, May 12-Sunday, May 14
Continuous showings of film programs 10am-midnight at the
Charles Theatre & Falvey Hall at the Brown Center on the campus of the Maryland Institute College of Art

Sunday, May 14
Closing Night Screening and Party
7:30pm
The Charles Theatre
Title TBA

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          Our two main venues for the Maryland Film Festival are in easy walking distance. You can also drive to either venue and park at any of the numerous, easy-to-find parking spaces and lots. The metered parking around The Charles will be reserved and free for festival patrons during the weekend. Come down for a film, or stay for the day!

The Senator Theatre
5904 York Road
Baltimore, MD
map | directions and parking

The Charles Theatre
1711 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD
map | directions and parking

Maryland Institute College of Art
Brown Center’s Falvey Hall
1301 Mount Royal Avenue
Baltimore, MD
map | directions and parking

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          While we believe that every film at the Maryland Film Festival is worth seeing, we realize that different people have different tastes. The best source of information is the film guide and program book where we provide descriptions of each of the films. The City Paper also publishes a Festival Frenzy issue before the festival where they provide articles and reviews of many of the films we show.

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          Most of the films we show have not been rated (G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17) by the Motion Picture Association of America. We suggest that you read the descriptions of the films provided in the program book film guide where information is given about the content of the films to determine what films are appropriate.

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          Yes, we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express at all festival box offices.

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          Most individual tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors with proper ID. Please note that some special screenings are priced differently. Tickets to the Opening Night Screening/Party cost $35. Tickets to the Closing Night Screening/Party cost $25. The silent film screening with live musical accompaniment costs $15.

          A 3 Before 6 Pass costs $20 and is good for admission to any three different film screenings beginning before 6:00 PM. The 3 Before 6 Pass can only be purchased at the festival box office. The 3 Before 6 Pass does not function as your ticket to enter the theater - it must be redeemed at the box office for tickets to specific screenings.

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          An All Access Pass gains you admittance to all festival screenings without having to purchase tickets. Simply show your pass at the door up to 10 minutes before a screening begins. After 10 minutes before a screening begins, All Access Pass holders will be seated on a space available basis. All Access Passes cost $250 and may be purchased in advance through missiontix.com or by calling (410) 752-8083 or at the festival box office.

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          All Access Passes are now on sale. They may be purchased at missiontix.com or by calling (410) 752-8083. Advance tickets to individual screenings will be available in April through missiontix.com. Tickets purchased in advance will not be mailed and must be picked up at the festival box office Will Call. Missiontix confirmation emails will not gain you entry into the theater. They must be redeemed at the box office for hard tickets.

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          Tickets to all films may be purchased at the festival box office located in the Festival Tent (directly across the street from the Charles Theatre) and opens an hour before the first screening of the day. Tickets to screenings at The Brown Center can be purchased at the box office in the lobby of The Brown Center.

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          Please make sure to be at your screening at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time to guarantee seating. In a Sold Out situation we will sell based on empty seats in the theater, and we reserve the right to sell your seat at 10 minutes to screening time if you are not present in the theater, even if you have purchased a ticket.

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          First and foremost, a complete 2006 Festival program will be waiting for you at your check-in. It will be your indispensable quick-reference for navigating the Festival. Also, bring an umbrella, water-resistant jacket and/or layers, and comfortable walking shoes, as weather can change quickly in Baltimore. Bring a camera, too – there will be plenty of photo ops for you and your friends, and you never know who you’ll see.

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Any Festival staffer or one of our hundreds of volunteers will be happy to help you – just look for the MFF CREW t-shirts.

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          The best place to get information about whether your screening is ready to be seated is at the Ticket Holder Line located outside of the main entrance to The Charles Theatre. If your screening is not yet ready to seat, this is the line to get into the theater. Feel free to go into the lobby and get popcorn, etc., but the Ticket Holder Line is the first place you'll hear when your screening is ready to seat, and we will fill the theater from that line first.

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When we sell tickets we must account for All Access Pass holders, filmmakers, sponsors, etc. who may want to attend a screening by keeping seats available for them. Therefore, a screening will go to "Wait List" before every ticket is sold. If you would like to see a film that has gone to Wait List, pick up a Wait List Number at the box office to reserve your spot in line. At approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the screening we will release any empty seats in the theater to be sold to people in the Wait List in the order of their Wait List Number. Wait List tickets are cash only tickets - credit cards will not be accepted.

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Official 2005 Maryland Film Festival hats, t-shirts, posters, and travel mugs will be available at merchandise booths at the Festival tent and at our venues.