Matthew Modine will introduce his new film at Columbia Maryland Film Festival

Sep. 9—Golden Globe-nominated actor Matthew Modine will visit Howard County this weekend to discuss and screen his new film, "The Martini Shot," at the sixth annual Columbia Maryland Film Festival.

Modine, who starred in films such as "Full Metal Jacket," "Memphis Belle," and "Oppenheimer," will appear at Howard Community College on Sept. 14 for a screening, reception and audience Q&A alongside the film's director, Stephen Wallis.

"The Martini Shot" is described as 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. The event is set for 6 p.m., Sept. 14, at the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center.

That film is one of 55 that will be shown during the weeklong film festival, Sept. 9-15. Local, national and international films from a range of genres and styles including documentaries, features, shorts, special themes, local-based films and world cinema as well as works by student filmmakers will be shown in person and can also be screened online.

Founded in 2016 by filmmaker and producer Robert Neal Marshall, the festival aims to introduce local audiences to the best in local, national and world cinema. Marshall said he created the film festival when he worked as a consultant with the Columbia Festival of the Arts. The festival occurred under the nonprofit for two years on a virtual platform during the pandemic, and was relaunched independently as the Columbia Maryland Film Festival after he retired from the nonprofit.

Marshall said the festival was inspired by his background as an actor, director and writer and his love of film.

"I had worked in the [film] industry in various capacities and I thought there are festivals like the Annapolis Film Festival, which is a wonderful film festival that has been around for many years and that there is room in Columbia in Howard County for a really solid film festival," he said.

Marshall said he hopes the festival will expose audiences to different types of films.

"It's a unique perspective for people who enjoy movies to see that it's not just these mainstream mega hits that are in the large theaters," he said. "Film is a beautiful art form of its own that can change people and the world for the better by opening people's eyes to things that they never thought about."

Audiences can view the films online through the film festival's website now through 11:59 p.m., Sept. 15, and pay per view or purchase an all-access pass.

Aside from "The Martini Shot" screening and reception, there will be two other live events as part of the festival. On Sept. 12, at the Maryland Innovation Center, the documentary film, "Filmmakers on the Frontline" will be shown, with a pre-screening reception and post-screening Q&A. The film tells the story of four filmmakers who immortalized the fateful summer of 1944 and the D-Day Normandy landings via their films. And on the closing day of the festival, Sept. 15, short films by Maryland filmmakers will be screened live at Howard Community College.

For more information, and to purchase passes, go to colmdfilmfest.eventive.org/welcome.

Originally Published:September 9, 2024 at 11:39 a.m.