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:

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