The 6th Annual LightReel Film Festival Lineup
The 6th Annual LightReel Film Festival, presented by the Union Market District, returns June 4–7, 2025, taking over one of DC’s most dynamic neighborhoods for four exciting screenings, panels, and parties. Presented by the Foundation for the Advancement of African Americans in Film (FAAAF), the festival showcases groundbreaking work by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) filmmakers from around the country. It celebrates the rich cinematic culture of the Nation’s Capital.
Opening Night: The Class Reunion
Kicking o the festival with its World Premiere, The Class Reunion, directed by DMV-native Chazitear, was filmed locally at Eastern High School. The film follows five former classmates —once a jock, nerd, popular girl, teen mom, and delinquent—who find themselves unexpectedly locked in a cafeteria during their ten-year high school reunion. As tensions resurface and secrets spill, they confront who they were—and who they’ve become.
Spotlight Documentary: I Was the Weirdo
Directed by Larry Ware II, I Was the Weirdo traces the story of underground hip-hop pioneer Priest Da Nomad while shedding light on the often-overlooked U Street hip-hop and arts scene. The documentary explores how D.C.’s cultural, political, and musical legacies— especially its homegrown Go-Go sound—shaped a generation of artists, journalists, and changemakers.
Showcasing Local Voices
This year’s lineup includes a strong slate of DC and DMV-based stories and creators, including:
33rd & Memphis – Sixteen-year-old Memphis Braxton wants to dance, but his love of dance will die without his parents' approval. Directed by Shawn Cosby.
Addis, My Father – The film thoughtfully examines the relationship between a father and daughter against the backdrop of one of life's starkest realities: aging. (Howard University Filmmaker Showcase)
A Diva’s Life – First-ever episodic series capturing hustle, grit, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be a female athlete both on and off the field.
Beyond the Blue Line – Following the tragic loss of his brother Jamal to police brutality, the film dives into the intertwined lives of Marcus, a grief-stricken brother seeking justice, and an ocer haunted by the aftermath of his actions.
Black and Missing – The premiere episode focuses on the haunting case of Relisha Rudd, a young girl whose disappearance still deeply impacts the District of Columbia.
Paralysis by Analysis – When an anxious, perfectionist PhD student discovers an AI app that predicts the outcome of her decisions before she makes them, her life unravels as she becomes obsessed with the app. This is a sci-fi drama about anxiety, decision-making, and what happens when you put your fate in AI's hands.
Anywhere, Anytime - Directed by Milad Tangshir, the cast includes Ibrahima Sambou, Moussa Dicko Diango, Success Edemakhiota
Issa (Ibrahima Sambou) is a young undocumented immigrant from Senegal living in Turin, Italy. He is doing his best to survive — and send money home — in a bustling city that in countless ways renders him invisible. Moreover, he’s living in a hostile landscape, in which people in his precarious position are at the whims of international politics and at the mercy of whomever they face.
Cotton Candy Bubble Gum - After his mom gets engaged to a vindictive cop, Carter, a 21-year-old mama’s boy still living at home, must secure a paid promotion at his internship by the end of the day or find a new place to live. To land the job, his boss gives him a seemingly impossible list of tasks to complete: get his Jeep detailed (the Jeep gets towed), babysit his teenage son (Carter loses the kid), set up his birthday party (a model ODs on the living room floor), and recover a sex tape (a world-famous rapper kidnaps his best friend after a failed blackmail attempt). If Carter can conquer this wildly chaotic day, he might be ready for the real world after all. Written, directed, edited by J Pinder
Passes and Tickets
Festival passes and individual tickets are available now at lightreelfilm.com.
Follow @LightReel25 and @DCsSummerCinematicEvent on social media for the latest updates.
About Union Market District
One of Washington, DC’s fastest-growing neighborhoods, Union Market District (UMD) is a unique fusion of heritage and innovation. The historic Market is the 20,000-square-foot home to dozens of merchants and purveyors of food and drink alongside a dynamic, 45-acre streetscape of independent shops and services, nationally recognized brands, and highly rated restaurants. La Cosecha is a contemporary Latin American marketplace and culinary embassy. Plaza at the Dock, below one of DC’s largest public rooftops with a 360-degree vista, further distinguishes UMD as a true gem within a world-class city.
About the LightReel Film Festival
Presented by the Foundation for the Advancement of African Americans in Film (FAAAF), the LightReel Film Festival is a four-day celebration of film, food, and fun in the Nation’s Capital. Dedicated to showcasing excellence in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) storytelling, the festival brings together emerging voices, established filmmakers, and engaged audiences to share in the power of cinema.
Festival Sponsors
The 2025 LightReel Film Festival is made possible with the generous support of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC Oce of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, PDSI, Destination DC, and Selig Polyscope.