Kendra Rubinfeld, director and founder of the Our City Film Festival, loves D.C. Though born in New York, she grew up in the area, so it’s always frustrated her when the District hasn’t received its due on the big screen. “I’ve always been a film fan,” explained Rubinfeld over coffee in Dupont Circle earlier this week. “One thing that’s always bothered me when I go to the movies, is that New York, Boston and L.A. are always depicted on the big screen. There’s always sort of a pride that comes along with recognizing the city. That never happens with Washington because the only time it really happens is with political films. But there’s so much more to D.C. than just the politics.”
| On screen |
| The Our City Film Festival takes place this weekend. The opening night party is Saturday from 8 to 11 p.m. at R.F.D., and will feature a performance by Grammy nominated progressive hip-hop artist Christylez Bacon. Screenings take place from 11 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Sunday at the Goethe Institute. The festival concludes Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. with a screening of the second season premier of the reality show D.C. Cupcakes, followed by a Q&A with Georgetown Cupcakes’ Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis. |
| Cost: Tickets are $10 for a screening block (five blocks in all), and $12 for the opening night party. For details visit ourcityfilmfestival.com. |
And thus the mission of the Our City Film Fest, this Saturday and Sunday: showcasing a collection of films that take place in and around D.C. and employ the area in their storytelling.
“We try to screen narratives and documentaries that prove that D.C. is more than traffic, politics and monuments,” Rubinfeld said. “It’s about bringing people together and encouraging pride in D.C. through film.”
Our City is presented by Yachad, a D.C.-based nonprofit affordable-housing and community development organization. Founded more than 20 years ago, Yachad, which means “together” in Hebrew, repairs housing and communities in low-income D.C. neighborhoods.
In founding the Our City Film Festival three years ago, Rubinfeld, who is Yachad’s program director, wanted a way to highlight D.C. while providing outreach for the nonprofit. Films that participate in the festival are not required to address the mission of Yachad, and proceeds from the festival go to the organization.
Rubinfeld says she received between 30 and 40 submissions for this year’s festival, of which 11 films will be screened. The movies were selected by a group of 15 judges.
Highlights include the film “Audiophile,” a love story that begins on the D.C. Metro; the documentary “Touch, Pause, Engage” about the first African-American high school rugby team; and “The Washington Redskins: Winning Years.”
“It’s showing people, even that have lived here forever, parts of their city that they never knew existed,” Rubinfeld said.
