NORTH EAST, MD — The Milburn Stone Theatre at Cecil College is proud to announce the return of the Cecil County Independent Film Festival, running May 29, 30, and 31, 2026. Admission to all festival screenings is completely free and open to the public.
Since its debut in 2019, the festival has showcased over 300 films, with submissions arriving from as close as Rising Sun, Maryland and as far away as China. This three-day celebration of independent cinema brings together filmmakers and film lovers from across the region, highlighting bold voices and new perspectives through a diverse lineup of narratives, documentaries, shorts, experimental films, and more.
A Festival with a Local and Global Vision
While the festival welcomes submissions from filmmakers around the world, it remains deeply committed to supporting local artists from Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Local filmmakers are invited to share their stories and engage directly with audiences throughout the festival weekend. A series of awards and prizes will recognize outstanding work from both local and international filmmakers.
The 2026 festival also coincides with Cecil College’s First Annual Arts Festival, taking place on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — offering attendees a full day of arts and culture on campus.
Featured Films
30-Year-Old Freshman | Friday, May 29 at 6:00 PM
With nothing but lint in their pockets, Jobe (30) and Mike (29) enroll at Bankhead University chasing refund checks. Chaos, romance, and culture shock follow as they hilariously navigate college life and find unexpected purpose.
I Stand Alone: The Sully Erna Story | Friday, May 29 at 9:00 PM
A gritty documentary recounting the turbulent life of Sully Erna, frontman of Godsmack — from a rough upbringing in Lawrence, Massachusetts to his rise as a rock sensation. Produced by Noah Berlow, the film offers a raw look at how Erna’s chaotic early years fueled Godsmack’s explosive debut album, which went on to sell 50 million copies worldwide.
Rufus | Saturday, May 30 at 8:00 PM
A man named Rufus tells five dark and disturbing stories to his family and friends — against his wife’s wishes — weaving together tales of a mortician working on the wrong night, entertainment industry corruption, the future of adoption, medical malpractice, and the cost of war.
The Solution | Sunday, May 31 at 4:00 PM
Allen returns home to help his father, Oscar, recover from a stroke — all while mending their strained relationship and reviving the family dry cleaning business.
The full festival schedule is available at milburnstone.com/filmfestival.
About the Milburn Stone Theatre
The Milburn Stone Theatre brings theater, music, dance, film, and art to Cecil County and the greater Northeast Maryland region. Conveniently located just off I-95 at Exit 100B, the theatre serves as the area’s leading performing arts venue and a vital part of Cecil College — supporting a wide range of college, community, and public events.
The theatre is named in honor of Milburn Stone, beloved for his portrayal of “Doc Adams” on the long-running television Western Gunsmoke. His wife and daughter have been longtime benefactors of the theatre, helping preserve his legacy and passion for the arts.
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