BITTERSWEET + Q&A  with director Steve Martini & cast / Valentine's Rom-Com

Since 1999, the DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF) — the oldest independent film festival in Washington, DC — has showcased bold features, documentaries, shorts, animation, and experimental works from around the world. Reimagined in 2022 as an Annual Film Forum, DCIFF connects filmmakers and audiences through conversation, networking, and innovative programming in the Nation’s Capital.

DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF)

Valentine's Evening Premiere film screening: A charming Rom-Com, followed by Q&A with cast and crew.

Regal Gallery Place

DC Independent Film Forum 2025 / Feb 12-17

DCIFF  brings the annual forum of films, workshops and discussions  to celebrate established and emerging talent in fiction, documentary and animation filmmaking. DCIFF --- keeping a truly independent spirit alive in the DMV for 26 years!

BitterSweet (USA/2025/84mins) A new father on the verge of losing his family to an overprotective government system sees him as the root of the problem.Key Cast: Steven Martini, William Baldwin, Andrew Leeds, Barry Joel Michael, Nic Novicki, Gabriela KulaifDirector Steven Martini's first film was as an actor when he was cast in 90's comedy Major Payne. His first script as a co-writer was Goat on Fire and Smiling Fish, which won Toronto International Film Festival Discovery Award. His second co-written screenplay, LymeLife, which he was also Producer and Composer won the FIPRESCI prize at TIFF in 2008. BitterSweet is Steven's first film as a solo writer/director. After learning of his own place on the spectrum of autism, Steven became part of the the Easter Seals Disability Film Festival as a supporter and judge. This film explores aspects of being on the spectrum.Producer Gabriela Kulaif is a Syrian-Brazilian Producer/Actress based in Los Angeles, California. She started her career working in Advertising and Photography, before getting into Film. Over the course of 2020-21 she produced and starred in her first feature film, "BitterSweet", written by her husband Steven Martini. She also produced the satirical comedy feature "Fourth Grade", starring Teri Polo and William Baldwin. Steven and Gabriela made this film in celebration of their love and marriage.

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BITTERSWEET + Q&A with director Steve Martini & cast / Valentine's Rom-Com

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BITTERSWEET + Q&A with director Steve Martini & cast / Valentine's Rom-Com

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