The March On! Festival, the nation’s longest-running Civil Rights Film Festival, will feature leading figures in the fight for justice, including Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Joy Reid, Former Attorney General Eric Holder, Jonathan Capeheart, and others.
Washington, D.C. – The March On! Festival—formerly the March on Washington Film Festival—returns to the nation’s capital from September 16–21, 2025, with a bold new theme: “March On! Health: The Right to Be Well.” While continuing to spotlight a wide range of social justice issues, this year’s festival shines a particular light on health—not just as personal wellness, but as a fundamental civil and human right rooted in justice, equity, and access. Programming will explore urgent topics such as medical mistrust in BIPOC communities, gendered health disparities, the politics of rest, and disability justice.
Storytelling That Heals and Mobilizes
Through powerful film screenings, thought-provoking panels, live performances, and immersive exhibits, the festival brings together artists, activists, and visionaries who use storytelling to challenge stigma, elevate marginalized voices, and inspire collective action rooted in care and justice.
“Since the beginning of March On! we have been dedicated to authentically sharing the experiences that shape communities across our country and even internationally,” said March On! Artistic Director Isisara Bey. “Through this festival, we are uplifting the stories of those who are far too often disregarded, and joyously celebrating those who have committed their lives’ work to advancing the mission of the Civil Rights Movement.”
“This year’s focus on health is a powerful theme that meets the urgency that this moment demands and embodies the Civil Rights Movement’s commitment to healthcare access for all,” said March On! Executive Director, Kim Callinan. “March On! is proud to use the power of storytelling to uplift the right to be well, celebrate community resilience, and inspire action.”
Festival Highlights Include
- The Vivian Malone Courage Award, on Saturday, September 20th, presented by Dr. Sharon Malone to Joy-Ann Reid, in conversation with Eric Holder at AME Metropolitan Church.
- The Annual Opening Night Awards Gala, on Tuesday, September 16th, hosted by Jonathan Capeheart, where we’ll present the John Robert Lewis Lifetime Legacy Award to Senator Cory Booker, and the March On! Lifetime Achievement Award to Stanley Nelson, Marcia Smith, and their company, Firelight Films.
- An interactive experience with Tricia Hersey of The Nap Ministry on rest as a cornerstone of health and resistance at AME Metropolitan Church.
- A virtual panel, The Road Ahead: The Right to Be Well, with Dr. Aletha Maybank, Dr. Uché Blackstock, and Dr. Joel Bervell.
- Panels on ASL with JaRon Gilchrist; Disability, Health & Justice with Dara Baldwin; Women’s Health with Dr. Sharon Malone and Linda Blount; and Men’s Health with Dr. Georges Benjamin.
- March On! Night at Woolly Mammoth featuring The Great Privation, an unflinching theatrical exploration of medical racism and exploitation, followed by a talkback.
- Our Student & Emerging Filmmaker Competition, led by Opal Bennett, spotlighting new voices creating compelling short films featuring social justice.
- A screening of Albany Road in partnership with AHF, with a talkback on a range of health topics, featuring Lisa Arrindell, Christine Swanson, a psychologist, and a death doula.
- The beloved Dark Tower Day Party, a Harlem Renaissance–inspired afternoon, on Sunday, September 21, blending music, spoken word, dance, and special guest speaker A’Lelia Bundles.
- And a soon-to-be-released Virtual Film Festival showcasing influential social justice films, with a spotlight on health and wellness.
For an up-to-date listing of the festival programming, please click here.
Registration & Participation
Festival passes are available now for free with media credentials.
About March On!
Originally launched in 2013 in D.C. as the March on Washington Film Festival, March On! is a year-round platform using film, music, and the arts to uplift the untold stories of the Civil Rights Movement and connect them to today’s social justice struggles. We bring history, scholarship, and the performing and visual arts together to inspire civic engagement and cultural change.
