The Smithsonian's Mother Tongue Film Festival celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity by showcasing films and filmmakers from around the world, highlighting the crucial role languages play in our daily lives.

In 2025, we celebrate the festival's tenth year with ten days of free programming: in person in Washington, DC, February 20-23 and online February 24-March 1.

All events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required unless otherwise noted.

Schedule of Events:

February 20, 2025

7:00 pm - 9:30 pm: Rasmuson Theater, National Museum of the American Indian

February 21, 2025

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Reflecting on Returns: Fifty Years of the Human Studies - Film Archive

Executive Conference Room, Natural History Museum (meet at ground floor Info Desk)

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Abramsom Family Auditorium, NYU Washington, DC, 1307 L St. NW

February 22, 2025

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Baird Auditorium, Natural History Museum
02:30 pm - 4:00 pm: Lives in Motion Baird Auditorium, Natural History Museum
05:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Redemption and Duty Baird Auditorium, Natural History Museum
07:00 pm - 8:15 pm: Restitution Baird Auditorium, Natural History Museum

February 23, 2025

11:00 am - 11:45 am: Honoring Our Relations Ring Auditorium, Hirshhorn
12:30 pm - 01:15 pm: Ring Auditorium, Hirshhorn
02:00 pm - 03:40 pm: Ring Auditorium, Hirshhorn
04:00 pm - 05:40 pm: Ring Auditorium, Hirshhorn
07:00 pm - 08:30 pm: Pasts, Presents, and Futures Ring Auditorium, Hirshhorn

Date: February 20 - 23, 2025

Location: Various Venues In Washington, DC

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