On Saturday, May 2, 2026 the Baker Artist Award Film Finalists Showcase took place at Maryland Film Festival Day at the SNF Parkway Theatre, featuring excerpts and short films by 2026 Film Finalists Albert Birney, Amy Oden, Be Steadwell, Lendl Tellington, Lynn Tomlinson, and Performing Arts Finalist Alex & Olmsted. 

Following the screenings, filmmakers Birney, Oden, and Tomlinson joined MdFF Director KJ Mohr for a Q&A exploring experimentation, collaboration, and independent filmmaking practices.

Birney spoke about embracing a DIY filmmaking approach rooted in Baltimore’s creative culture, describing filmmaking as “playing in the sandbox” and making work without waiting for permission or funding. Oden reflected on moving from community-centered documentary work toward more intimate autobiographical storytelling grounded in family, care, and collaboration. Tomlinson shared insight into her labor-intensive clay-on-glass animation process, including creating a 10-frame loop over four days for her planetarium work Mountain Nocturne.

Throughout the conversation, Baltimore itself emerged as a major theme, with the filmmakers describing the city as a place that nurtures experimentation, creative freedom, and “beautiful weirdos.”

Watch the full Q&A below or via this link.