By George Kevin Jordan, AFRO Staff Writer

There are very few events that allows you to travel the world without leaving your seat. This year the 33rd Annual Filmfest DC promises 80 films from 45 countries in 11 days. Programming runs from Thursday through May 5, with the majority of films being screened at the AMC Mazza Gallerie, 5300 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., or Landmark’s E Street Cinema, 555 11th Street, N.W.

This year the Washington, D.C. International Film Festival tackles a breathless list of categories including World View (International films), Music, Thrillers, Comedy Shorts and Justice Matters to name a few.

Filmfest DC runs from April 25- May 5. (Courtesy Photo)

“People like to go to the movies,” said Tony Gittens, founder and festival director in the catalog.  “Even with the ability to stream films at home, on computers and on their phones, people like to sit with an audience in a theater and watch great cinema on the big screen. There is simply nothing like it. That’s why festivals like Filmfest DC continue to grow and attract thousands of enthusiastic moviegoers every year. Great art is a unifying force.”

Also, this year includes Foodflix, a section of film dedicated to cuisine and the amazing chefs and creators who make those meals. The festival is grounded in films from across the globe, but has a healthy smattering of local talent. Here are a few films not to miss.

Traveling While Black

Running Time: 19 minutes

Date: The film will run every half hour from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. April 28, and from noon to 2 p.m.; and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 29

This film is described as a Virtual Reality documentary and will be screened right inside Ben’s Chili Bowl, a destination inside the infamous “Green Book,” which provided a list of safe spaces for African Americans during the 1950s. For more information go to the site at: http://www.travelingwhileblack.org/

Olympia

Running Time: 93 minutes

Date: 6 p.m. May 2 and May 3

Directed by Gregory Dixon and written and starring McKenzie Chinn, the film does a deep dive into Chi-town’s artistic scene, as Olympia is an artist at an intersection in her personal and professional life. With a dying mother, a musician boyfriend possibly leaving the art world and her behind for a job in “Silicon Valley,” Olympia has to figure out who she is quick. For more information go to: https://www.cowlampfilms.com/olympia.

DC Noir

Running Time: 93 minutes

Date: 8:30 p.m. May 4th

Best selling author George Pelecanos has written 18 novels set in Washington D.C., and now brings four of his short stories to life with his film “DC Noir.” Veteran writer and producer of “The Wire” and newly “The Deuce,” this book of stories is directed by Gbenga Akinnagbe (“String Music”), Nick Pelecanos (“Miss Mary’s Room”), Stephen Kinigopoulas and Mr. Pelecanos himself. The film is also set entirely in D,C. For more information go to: https://dcnoirmovie.com/.

For more information and tickets please go to filmfestdc.org