Golden Globe Award winning actor Matthew Modine will appear in person Saturday, September 14, 6PM at the Columbia Maryland Film Festival for the local premiere screening, reception and an audience Q&A of his latest feature film THE MARTINI SHOT at the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College, along with the film’s director Stephen Wallis, one of Canada's fastest rising directors and screenwriters. Modine is perhaps best known for his iconic roles as Private Joker in FULL METAL JACKET, the title character in Birdy, high school wrestler Louden Swain in VISION QUEST, oversexed Sullivan Groff on WEEDS, and triumphant return of the mysterious and frightening Dr. Martin Brenner on the Netflix global phenomenon STRANGER THING, which have cemented his legacy.

THE MARTINI SHOT is an existential comedic drama that follows an ailing film director as he begins to shoot what he believes to be his final work of art. What starts out as a normal film for him changes dramatically as the deterioration of his health progresses. The result being a fascinating exploration of mortality and one’s profound effect on the world. This film also features John Cleese, Oliver & Tony Award winner Derek Jacobi and Fiona Glascott from the hit MAX Series JULIA. Filmed in Ireland with stunning cinematography, this may well be an award-winning career best performance for Modine. 

THE MARTINI SHOT is one of over 55 films as part of the Columbia Maryland Film Festival, presenting their 2024 season Monday September 9, 2024 through Sunday September 15, 2026. The 6th annual Film Festival will showcase local, national, and international films for movie-goers to enjoy as part of this year’s combined virtual & LIVE In-person event.

Tickets and discounted All Festival Passes are now on sale to the public via www.ColumbiaMarylandFilmFestival.com.

Individual short films are $6 and feature length films are $12. Live screenings are $25, including receptions with light refreshments. An All Festival Discount Pass for $45 includes 55+ films online plus all live screenings.

Virtual Programming:

This year’s event, produced by RNM Productions, will offer a varied selection of films online from all genres including short and feature-length movies documentaries, world cinema, special themes, Maryland-based films, the best of the 48 Hour Film Project Worldwide, as well as works by student filmmakers that touch upon current and relevant topics. The Columbia Maryland Film Festival presents a dynamic season that recognizes and promotes Humanity & Inclusion, Health & Wellness, the Human experience, and honors the tremendously creative and diverse community it represents.

In addition to THE MARTINI SHOT premiere on September 14, on Thursday, September 12 2024 at 6PM audiences can experience the US Premiere special reception and screening of a powerful new documentary FILMMAKERS ON THE FRONTLINE at the Maryland Innovation Center in Columbia. This critically acclaimed film honors the filmmakers in World War II as they immortalized in black and white, as well as rare color films, the terrible events of that fateful summer in 1944, from the heroic D-Day Normandy landings onwards through the Liberation of Paris. Follow key leaders George Stevens, Gen Dwight D Eisenhower, Jack H. Lieb and Sgt. Richard Taylor through interviews which include George Stevens, Jr, son of the Hollywood producer, Eisenhower's Granddaughter, Susan Eisenhower, Jack H. Lieb's Grandson (and Columbia Maryland Film Festival Producer) Robert Neal Marshall, as well as Richard Taylor's daughter Jennifer Taylor Rossel.

Sunday September 15, 2024, includes screenings from the very best of local Maryland Filmmakers this season, with a Festival closing reception and Audience Q&A also at the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College.

“Columbia Maryland Film Festival is excited to bring the Film Festival back this Fall to entertain, inspire and move audiences with a diverse collection of films across many genres,” says Robert Neal Marshall, Executive Producer of the Festival.

“In addition to our live in-person screenings, what’s great about the EVENTIVE platform is that people can enjoy these movies on demand, in their own time offers viewing options that include personal computers, ipads, Apple TV, Roku or even your personal television. Relax and enjoy the best works by some of our most promising filmmakers in a comfortable environment. There are so many films that truly moved and inspired me and our panel of judges this year, I can’t wait for the greater community to enjoy them as well. “

Sponsors include the Maryland Film Office, Anchor Construction, The Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College, The Maryland Innovation Center, Howard County Economic and Development Authority, Merriweather Lakehouse, Pocket Plan, Columbia Inspired Magazine and RNM Productions. Columbia Maryland Film

Festival is also made possible, in part, by a BGE Energizing Small Business Grant.