About DCIFF 2026

About DCIFF

Since 1999, DCIFF has been nurturing filmmakers and their films, and keeping the independent spirit alive in our nation’s capitol. We have showcased cutting edge features, shorts and documentaries on every subject from every country with every budget and subject imaginable.

As a competitive festival, all films are Washington DC premieres and many are U.S. and world premieres. Through screenings, seminars, workshops and discussions with the United States Congress, DCIFF gives independent filmmakers opportunities for their voices to be heard in a way that no other festival can provide.

Media Coverage

2024 DC Independent Film Festival

High School Competition at 2024 DC Independent Film Festival

Festival Team

Alexander Atienza / Communications Manager is a filmmaker, educator, and programmer. He has an MFA from the University of Southern California, where he studied film and television production, and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied cognitive science and philosophy.

Nancy Breslin / Event & Seminar Facilitator is a DC photographer, screenwriter, and filmmaker who has volunteered for the DCIFF festival and associated programs in several ways since 2022, including reviewing animated shorts submissions and giving talks and workshops about pinhole and alternative photography. Her short stop-motion film Velo Love was in the festival in 2025.

Maria Datch / Partnerships, Film Ambassador, Home Stays (she/her) is a DC native, with degrees in the performing arts, literature and visual media. Over the last 20 years, she has held directorial positions in PR and Development for arts organizations such as Chicago’s ERC and Organic Theatre and Baltimore’s Theatre Project, in production for the NFL Baltimore Ravens, PBS, and independent and studio film/video productions in the mid atlantic and Chicago, and has freelanced in casting, production management, publicity, fundraising and special events. She is thrilled to be a part of DCIFF.

Susan Donnelly / Director, DCIFF Annual Forum, (she/her), a DC area native, is an independent documentary filmmaker, producer, and the owner of Little Buttercup Films, a boutique film production company. Her debut documentary, ALLIANCE, brings to life the inspiring, little-known history of a radical social experiment—the 1882 founding of what would become the first successful and longest-lasting Jewish farming colony in America, the Alliance Colony (alliancefilm.com). This dynamic film about immigration, identity, and social justice demonstrates Susan’s passion for visual storytelling, thoughtful concepts, and innovative vision. Beginning her career in children’s television, Susan has gained a diverse set of skills in event planning, graphic design, media, editorial, and marketing. Her professional journey has included positions with major media companies, including National Geographic, Discovery Channel, American Film Institute, and Simon & Schuster, among others. Before earning her Master’s Degree from Harvard University School of Education in the field of Children’s Media and Gender, Susan graduated with a B.A. from Tufts University. Susan began volunteering with DCIFF in 2017 and is thrilled to be expanding her role within the organization. 

Deirdre Evans-Pritchard / Executive Director and Programmer (she/her) spent years integrating digital media and arts into higher education with projects like Kidding Around: The Child in Film and Media Conference & Festival, documentaries for A&E and The Learning Channel and programming for Channel 98.  Years ago, she was the program editor for the Anthropos Documentary Film Festival at the AFI in Los Angeles. Previously, DCIFF’s director of the “Filmmakers on the Hill” Forum, 2012, was her first year as festival director. A Senior Fulbright Scholar in Communications to Lebanon, visiting faculty at the University of Southern California’s Center for Visual Anthropology and adjunct faculty at the USC Cinema School, she describes herself as a translator: between cultures, mediums, and creative spaces.  She is developing an interactive exhibition on Civilization and the Screen and researching visual literacy. Contact at: deirdre@dciff-indie.org

Jay Figg / Assistant Seminar & Events Manager (he/him) is an international relations junkie by day and an amateur foley artist by night. He loves guerrilla filmmaking and has done every job behind the camera except for actually holding the camera. This is his first year at DCIFF.

Cheryle Franceschi / Filmmaker Relations Manager is a documentary storyteller and owner of Por Eco Productions, One Idea/Dos Languages, LLC. She is highly regarded for creating and delivering content that impacts a wider understanding about forest conservation, environmental education, and agricultural stewardship.

Caroline Harbour is a full time festival nomad who manages ticketing, operations, accessibility, and hospitality for multiple international film festivals throughout the year. She runs events in Palm Springs, San Francisco, Orlando, and New Zealand. She equally enjoys a well organized spreadsheet and deep dive into the best zombie defense methods based on cinematic universe. 

Sara Hewitt / Volunteer Coordinator is a DC local with a long-time love of local film festivals and is excited to be contributing to the success of the 2026 DCIFF Forum.

Cam Lawson is a Maryland-based producer and video professional working across documentary, narrative, and digital projects. He currently supports national broadcast operations at PBS NewsHour (WETA) and produces independent work through Allegory Productions. With a background spanning development, production management, and post-production, Cam is especially focused on clear communication, thoughtful collaboration, and helping creative teams move from idea to execution. He is proud to volunteer with the DC Independent Film Festival’s Filmmaker Relations team in support of the region’s independent filmmakers.

J.D. Mack / Print Traffic has partnered with DCIFF for several exciting years, forging a strong partnership along the way. In addition to his work with DCIFF, he’s also the proud owner of Stage 2 A/V Productions, where he continues to innovate in the world of audio-visual experiences.

Helene Prince / Film Ambassador, Photographer, & Social Media Assistant

Jodi Sakol / Sponsorship Coordinator for the DC Independent Film Festival. She recently directed her first film, centered on a former sex worker who went on to found a nonprofit that supports victims of sex trafficking, domestic violence, and trauma. She has also screened films for four festivals, bringing both a filmmaker’s perspective and a critical eye to her work with DCIFF. Before transitioning into film, Jodi spent her career in senior communications roles on political campaigns and in government, including work with the White House and the U.S. Senate. She later moved into the nonprofit sector, where she led campaign communications, including advertising for the nation’s largest nonprofit.

Susan Taylor / Seminar Coordinator (she/her) is a research-driven filmmaker who founded the Office of Special Collections. Her work often uncovers forgotten institutional stories, informed by her unique background serving as Naval Special Warfare academic liaison and Library of Congress designer. Current projects include a WWI documentary from Imperial War Museum archives and Congressional Cemetery preservation work. She graduated from the University of St Andrews.

Peter Voth / Festival Manager (he/him) is a resident of DC for three decades, has been involved with DCIFF as a volunteer since 2011, as a board member since 2013, has been festival manager since 2022, and over the years, has done almost everything at least once.

Genise White / Film Ambassador