The New/Next Film Festival returns to The Charles Theatre in Baltimore from October 1 through October 4, 2026. Presented by Baltimore Public Media, this is the festival's fourth edition and features more than 160 films across five screens, including 6 world premieres and 5 U.S. or North American premieres. Individual screening tickets and All Access Passes are available now through the festival website at newnextfilmfest.com. The festival is centered at The Charles Theatre (1711 N. Charles Street), with additional events at Baltimore Improv Group and Metro Gallery.
- Dates: October 1–4, 2026 (Thursday through Sunday).
- Venue: The Charles Theatre, 1711 N. Charles St, Baltimore. Five screens. Additional events at Baltimore Improv Group and Metro Gallery.
- 160+ films: Features and shorts, including 6 world premieres and 5 U.S./North American premieres.
- Nightly events: Opening Night party (Metro Gallery, DJ Ami Dang), private filmmaker parties (Fri/Sat), Dan Deacon dance party, Closing Night (Metro Gallery).
- Getting there: Penn Station is a 5-minute walk. Street parking is limited during festival evenings — transit or a car service avoids the Station North parking crunch.
Five Screens
the Festival
at New/Next
2026
What to Expect
The festival opens Thursday, October 1 with Eternity One, a Baltimore-made documentary by Marnie Ellen Hertzler that follows a disappearing Chesapeake Bay island community, featuring an original score by Baltimore dream-pop icons Beach House. The closing night film on Sunday, October 4 is The Projectionist, Alexandre Rockwell's story of a man confronting his past through the lens of a forgotten movie theater. Since its debut in 2023, New/Next has established itself as an essential showcase for emerging voices in cinema, launched in response to the Maryland Film Festival's hiatus.
Nightly Events
Thursday, Oct 1 — Opening Night screening at The Charles, party at Metro Gallery (DJ Ami Dang). Friday, Oct 2 — Private filmmaker and All Access passholder party at Baltimore Improv Group (DJ The Soft Pink Truth / Drew Daniel of Matmos, drinks included). Saturday, Oct 3 — New/Next Dance Party at Baltimore Improv Group (DJ Dan Deacon, filmmakers and All Access passholders only, drinks included). Sunday, Oct 4 — Closing Night screening at The Charles, party at Metro Gallery (DJ Mills).
The All Access Pass provides premium access to all screenings, opening and closing night parties, and the exclusive Friday and Saturday events. A limited number are available.
How to Get to The Charles Theatre
The Charles Theatre is at 1711 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, in the Station North Arts & Entertainment District. From I-83: Exit at North Avenue (Exit 6), east on North Avenue, south on Charles Street. From I-95 North: I-395 into downtown, north on Charles Street through Mount Vernon. From Annapolis (~30 mi): I-97 N to I-695 to I-83 S, about 35 to 45 minutes. From DC (~40 mi): I-95 N to I-395 or I-83, about 50 to 60 minutes.
Parking: The Charles has no dedicated lot. Street metered parking along Charles Street fills quickly during festival evenings. The Penn Station garage (1525 N. Charles St) is the closest large facility. By train: Baltimore Penn Station is a 5-minute walk — the MARC Penn Line connects Washington's Union Station, BWI Airport, and Baltimore. By Light Rail: Centre Street stop is about a 10-minute walk.
The Station North Arts District
The Charles Theatre sits in the heart of Baltimore's Station North district. Metro Gallery, Baltimore Improv Group, restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, and street murals are all within a few blocks. The walkability between all festival venues means you can leave the car parked once — everything happens within walking distance. For festival-goers attending multiple screenings in a day, the neighborhood provides natural dining and coffee breaks between films.
Why Groups Skip the Car
A four-day film festival running into the evening across multiple venues creates a specific challenge: you are going back and forth to the same neighborhood over several days, parking is uncertain every time, and the evening events involve drinks. For groups attending together — couples, friend groups, film clubs — a chauffeured Sprinter van handles the nightly logistics. The driver drops the group at The Charles, waits through the screening, then takes everyone to the after-party at Metro Gallery or Baltimore Improv Group without anyone circling for parking in Station North at 10:00 PM.
This is especially practical for festival-goers coming from DC, Annapolis, or the Baltimore suburbs. A 40-mile drive from DC after a late-night screening and drinks at Metro Gallery is not ideal. For the full festival experience, a Baltimore car service makes the round trip seamless — and the Saturday Dan Deacon dance party alone justifies not driving.
| Already in Baltimore | Walk, bike, or Light Rail to Station North. Penn Station is a 5-minute walk. |
| Coming from DC or suburbs | MARC Penn Line to Penn Station, or private car. One vehicle beats parking in Station North four nights in a row. |
| Group of 4–8 | SUV or Sprinter van — one pickup, the driver handles venue-hopping between Charles Theatre, Metro Gallery, and BIG. |
| Film club or corporate outing | Limo bus for the full festival Saturday. Call (410) 451-0000. |
Film Festival Night — Skip the Parking, Keep the Party
Bayside Limousines has been running event and group transportation across the DMV for over 33 years. Owned fleet, W-2 chauffeurs, and fixed-rate pricing for festival weekends and evening events. Call or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Festival dates, lineup, and event schedule verified via newnextfilmfest.com and Baltimore Fishbowl. Ticket availability may change — check the official site.