The 2019 Columbia Film Festival recently announced its upcoming 2019 season to the delight of Maryland audiences. With over 40 films, including the five-time Emmy-Award winning series, After Forever, the festival will run from Thursday, June 27th to Saturday, June 29th. Baltimore OUTloud recently chatted with Executive Producer Robert Neal Marshall.

“Audiences can expect great diversity of entertaining films,” explained Marshall. Presenting over 40 films, many Maryland-based, the festival will offer a wide menu including comedy and dramatic features, documentaries, a range of entertaining shorts, student films, world cinema, and the cutting-edge LGBTQ-themed After Forever. “We were very lucky to have After Forever actress Anita Gillette, who is a Baltimore-native and friend, help us. She was instrumental in bringing the work to the festival.”

After Forever is further presented in connection with Howard County Pride, the first ever such celebration in the county, which is co-hosted by PFLAG Columbia-Howard County and the office of County Executive Calvin Ball. “I am a member of the LGBT community,” Marshall explained. “I’ve been legally married for seven years, and we’ve been together for 32 years. When I saw that Howard County Pride was starting in Columbia I wanted to work together with them for this event.”

Engaging film making was what Marshall was on the lookout for when lining up this year’s program. “We have films from around the country,” he notes, “and there is a wealth of Maryland-based filmmakers represented.” 

For more info on the Columbia Film Festival visit Columbiafilmfestival.org.