Maryland Film Festival highlights narrative medias next frontier [Video]

Except for a brief period during Artscape 2023, the iconic SNF Parkway Theatre on W. North Avenue hasn’t welcomed the public since it halted its programs and screenings in January 2023.

That changes today, when the theater doors open for the 25th Annual Maryland Film Festival (MDFF) and its event aimed at film enthusiasts and technologists alike: CineTech.

This year’s MDFF explores new territory by introducing this inaugural tech-focused program alongside an array of feature films, shorts, panels, discussions, receptions and post-screening events. This program caters to people like Q Ragsdale, associate programmer of emerging technology and CineTech’s curator, who see themselves as advocates for the future of film.

“‘Emerging technologies’ is a big umbrella term, but in my context, it refers to virtual reality, augmented reality, immersive media and interactive experiences,” said Ragsdale, the former director of acceleration for Impact Hub Baltimoreteammate. “What’s funny is, when I was in entrepreneurial coaching, it would …