Join us for a full day of creativity, conversation, and connection at 202Creates Con, the inaugural conference celebrating the power and impact of DC’s creative community.
🎄✨ DC, THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE — AND SO ARE THE SOUNDS OF THE CITY! ✨🎄
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment is bringing the holiday magic back to F Street with the 2nd Annual Sounds of the City Stage-live at the @downtowndcholidaymarket
📍 F Street NW (between 7th & 9th Streets NW) 📅 Saturdays • Nov 22 – Dec 20 ⏰ Starting at 6:00 PM
Get ready for live music, bright lights, and that warm holiday vibe only DC can deliver. Expect incredible performances, surprise moments, and the perfect soundtrack for your Saturday nights. 🎶✨
✨ Why you’ll love it: 🎤 Local artists + rising stars 🎁 Holiday shopping energy 🌟 A true holiday tradition 🎄 The culture, the joy, the SOUND of our city
Bundle up, bring your crew, grab some hot cocoa, and meet us under the lights at Sounds of the City Stage.
On Monday, OCTFME Director LaToya Foster joined Deputy Mayor Paul Kihn, City Administrator Kevin Donahue, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, and Whitney Museum curator Barbara Haskell for the Spring 2025 DME Student Art Showcase — a celebration of youth expression and the power of arts in education. 🌟
This year’s theme, “Heritage & Education: Painting a Brighter Future,” inspired 10 outstanding student artists from across DC to share their creativity and cultural insight through art. Their winning pieces will soon brighten the walls of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education inside the John A. Wilson Building, curated by the legendary Barbara Haskell.
OCTFME proudly supports the next generation of artists whose talent, imagination, and passion continue to shape the future of DC’s creative community. 🖌️✨
#entertaindc was a proud sponsor of the 38th Annual 17th Street High Heel Race! 👠💃
From sky-high stilettos to show-stopping looks, DC once again proved why this tradition is one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year. The energy was electric, the creativity unmatched, and the community spirit on full display.
👏 Congratulations to the @dclgbtq on another successful race and thank you for having us.
Broadcast icon @donniesimpsonsr returns to the historic BET Studio, now home to OCTFME @entertain_dc to film the 2nd season of The Donnie Simpson Show.
With five decades of radio and television excellence, Donnie continues to inspire, uplift, and create space for new voices in media.
Watch and listen weekly on YouTube, Discovered.TV, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
💪 Empower Your Worth | Women’s Skills-Building Workshop
The Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives (MOWPI) and The Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizens Affairs (MORCA) invite women returning citizens to a dynamic workshop focused on compensation negotiation skills — helping you confidently advocate for fair pay and benefits.
📅 Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 📍 Location: Benning Library, 3935 Benning Road NE 🕔 Time: 5:00 PM
HBCU First Look 2025 was a full-circle moment for the future of film — and OCTFME was proud to be in the center of it. 🎬✨
From the red carpet with Ryan Coogler, DC’s own Kenny Lattimore, and so many incredible honorees… to celebrating DC icon Virginia Ali… to the inspirational luncheon with Marsai Martin and HBCU students… and the powerhouse “Mega Mind Effects” panel with DC’s Film Commissioner Director LaToya Foster and Tressa Azarel Smallwood — Director Foster of OCTFME represented the District at every turn of this multi-day celebration.
Highlights included: 🎥 Red Carpet Reception with filmmakers, talent, and HBCU students 🏆 Awards Gala, where Director Foster presented the Icon Award to the legendary Virginia Ali 🍽️ Student Luncheon, where Director Foster delivered words of encouragement to emerging storytellers 🎤 “Mega Mind Effects” panel with Tressa Azarel Smallwood
A dynamic showcase of creativity, community, and culture – and a clear statement that DC’s film future continues to shine. ✨
OCTFME was proud to sponsor and attend the 10th Annual Multicultural Media Correspondents Dinner (MMCD™) Gala Extravaganza—an inspiring evening celebrating diversity, excellence, and representation in media. 🎥✨
Hosted by Emmy Award-winning comedian Loni Love, this exclusive gathering at the National Press Club honored media luminaries who continue to shape culture and elevate voices of color, including: 🏆 James Brown, The NFL Today 🎤 Rocsi Diaz, Emmy-winning host 🏈 Cam Newton, NFL MVP & founder of Iconic Saga Productions 🎙 Amna Nawaz, PBS NewsHour co-anchor 🗞 Errin Hayes, NABJ President & Editor-at-Large, The 19th 🎧 Juleyka Lantigua, founder of LWC Studios
We were thrilled to be in the building capturing the magic and supporting MMCA’s mission to expand diversity and opportunity across the media landscape.
OCTFME is proud to partner with our friends at @arttogogo! 🎶✨
🎷 The Official Schedule of the 5th Annual Jazz Hop Sound Sessions 📅 Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 12–8 PM 📍 Historic Anacostia — DC’s Official Arts & Culture District (Art to Go-Go)
Experience a full day of live jazz, community, and culture in the heart of Anacostia. 👉 Learn more: ArtToGoGo.org
🎉 TONIGHT at 8PM! 🎉 The 40th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards airs TONIGHT on DCN — and we’re just hours away from celebrating DC’s most creative and inspiring artists, leaders, and changemakers! 🎨📺
Here are this year’s award winners — congratulations to them all! 🏆✨
🎓 Excellence in Arts Education: Duke Ellington School of the Arts (@dukeellingtondc) 💫 Community Arts Philanthropist: Rahsaan Bernard @rahsaanbernardsr 🖼️ Creative Industries: Washington Performing Arts (@washingtonperformingarts) 👗 Fashion & Beauty Industries: Derrick Rutledge @derrick4mkup 🥁 Go-Go Music: E.U. Featuring Sugar Bear @dareal_sugarbear 📚 Humanities: UDC College of Arts & Sciences @universityofdc 🎧 Media Arts: DC Decades @dcdecades 🌙 Nightlife Economy: metrobar & Vinoda Basnayake (tie) @vinodab 🎭 Performing Arts: C. Brian Williams & Step Afrika! @stepafrika 🎨 Visual Arts: Imani Shanklin Roberts (@imaniniasr) @shanklinhall 🌱 Emerging Creative: Hirshhorn Teens Emerging Artists Program @hirshhorn 👧 Youth Creativity: DC SCORES, Charity Blackwell, Sarah-Mari & Londen Jones (tie) @charityjoyceblackwell @dc_scores ✍️ Larry Neal Writers’ Award: Susie Dumond @susiedoom 🏅 Lifetime Achievement: Blues Alley 🎖️ Distinguished Honor: Gretchen Wharton @gbwharton
📺 Don’t miss it! Tune in, host a watch party, and tag us to show how you’re celebrating #DCArts!
📲 Visit entertainment.dc.gov to download the DCN app and stream the show live.
🌐 Plus, head over to our website for everything you need on the 40th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards — including recaps, winner highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and more.
The Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment (OCTFME) proudly presents the SECOND ANNUAL Sounds of the City — live at the Downtown Holiday Market!
📍 F Street NW (between 7th & 9th Streets NW) 📅 Saturdays • November 22 – December 20 ⏰ Starting at 6:00 PM
Get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of the holiday season with the best live music the District has to offer — plus some really exciting surprise performances that will make your Saturday nights unforgettable! 🎶✨
✨ Why you don’t want to miss it: 🎤 Incredible local artists + rising stars 🎁 Perfect holiday shopping vibes 🌟 A festive DC tradition you’ll want to be part of 🎄 The energy, the culture, the SOUND of our city
Bundle up, bring your friends, grab some hot cocoa, and come celebrate the season with OCTFME’s Sounds of the City.
We can’t wait to see you under the lights! #SoundsOfTheCity #EntertainDC #OCTFME #DowntownHolidayMarket #BeDowntown
❄️✨ ICYMI: Downtown DC is glowing for the holidays!
From the 21st Annual Downtown Holiday Market to festive shows in the Theater District and the lighting of Franklin Park — the holidays are officially in full swing.
🛍️ This year’s market, produced by The Maker’s Show, features 119 vendors — including 23 new additions, 15 food vendors, and 25+ @smallbizdc small businesses. You’ll also find an @anacostiabid booth highlighting entrepreneurs from East of the River.
🎶 Every Saturday night, enjoy live performances on the “Sound of the City” stage powered by OCTFME, and don’t miss the kickoff on Nov. 21 hosted by Joe Clair with bites by José Andrés.
🌟 The National Mistletoe, designed by @mylydesign is back at Anthem Row, and @citycenterdc Tree Lighting Ceremony shines bright on Nov. 29.
🎄 The @macysmetrocentrertw_ia Holiday Window Reveal happens Nov. 22, and from Dec. 27 through Feb. 8, you can enjoy the Winter Skate Spectacular at the @nationalbuildingmuseum featuring The Wave — a 180-foot sculpture designed by Catholic University architecture students. Plus, DCPS students skate for free!
✨ Thank you to the @downtowndcbid staff and President @gerrenpricedc for an amazing preview of this holiday season’s magic.
🎙️ OCTFME is a proud sponsor of “Owning the Game: Demystifying the Business of Media.”
14 Voices. 1 Mission. 💪🏾 Join us as leaders across journalism, business, and culture unite to advance multicultural media ownership and sustainability.
📅 October 27 | 8:30 AM–12:30 PM 📍 National Press Club, Washington, DC
Featuring media icon James Brown (CBS Sports) alongside S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Errin Haines (The 19th), Rick C. Wade (U.S. Chamber of Commerce), Rhonesha Byng (Her Agenda), Nicole Dungca (The Washington Post, NABJ President), Angel Livas (Alive Podcast Network), Phil Lewis (HuffPost), and more powerful voices shaping the future of media.
Join us for the fall DC[FRAMEWORKS] — a community event celebrating the art of documentary storytelling in progress.
In partnership with @humanitiesdc, DC[FRAMEWORKS] offers DC-based directors and producers a rare opportunity to share their work-in-progress — feature or short — and receive meaningful feedback from an engaged audience, subject-matter experts, and fellow filmmakers.
📅 November 6, 2024 📍 Eaton Cinema, 1201 K Street NW 🎟️ Free & open to all — come watch, discuss, and be part of the creative process. RSVP strongly recommended - link below:
